Skydiving...

Well...here you go...what a blast!!! What a thrill. Thought I'd have a moment where I thought, "What the heck am I doing?" Just about the time I was supposed to jump, but nope...I was giddy the whole time.

We arrived at 10:30 for an 11AM appointment. Filled out a little paperwork saying we are aware things could go horribly wrong. Had 20 minutes of 1 on 1 instruction and suit-up time and then the plane pulled right up to us. Typically things take a bit longer, but Drew got a nice little package for us...complete with video and pics so we were up, out, and video in hand by Noon. We (me, pilot, co-pilot, instructor, and videographer) had the plane to ourselves, which they said is typically filled with about 15 or more.

The plane ride up (about 12 minutes to 13,500 feet) was awesome in itself. First, I've never been in such a little prop plane before and certainly had never been flying with the side of the plane open before. That was incredible. Then we got the "2-minute" till jumpers away and made sure everything was tight and snug on our harnesses, hats and glasses on. Got a red light, and scooted to the edge of the plane where I hung my feet out and underneath...blew a kiss at the camera, then "ready...set...away..." and I'm falling out of a plane...plummeting to earth at 120mph...except it doesn't feel like falling at all. We were floating on the air and it was AWESOME! I tried to take it all in, while looking up to see Dave recording the video and waving at me all the time. The 60 seconds of free fall were over all too quickly. The shoot was pulled; Ernie (my instructor) took me on a few spins and turns on our 4 minute parachute sail down. It was way way off on the horizon but I could actually see downtown Dallas from there (and we were up past Sherman...way Northeast of Dallas). Soon we were coming in for our landing. I was waving at Drew once I could see him, but he said he couldn't tell. Landing was quick and easy. I got a free mug and a t-shirt for my birthday (I'm sure it wasn't because we paid a heap for the jump). ;)

Here are some pics and Drew's video of the landing, but if you are interested there is a video of the entire jump here: www.skydivedallas.com/videos.htm Just scroll down to October 2008 and click on my name. I have to say that the video we got is clear and you can see me smiling the whole time...it isn't that clear in this video...I almost look concerned...but be assured I wasn't and I was grinning the whole way down. See pictures below...Super super fun! I loved it all. Over way too fast.

 
 
 
 







Drew's video of my landing...Drew also likes to note that the plane landed at the same time I did. You can see it drive by at the end of the video. I think my flying through the air anywhere near a flying plane violates one of his "safety" standards.