Experiences, I'm convinced will define our memory of our lives. It is also particularly the new ones that will stand out! I'm convinced that this is why time seems to fly faster and faster as I age: I have fewer and fewer opportunities to do something I've never done. This weekend I made a memory that will certainly stand out! I went SKYDIVING!
The opportnity came when a friend offered to let me use one of 2 vouchers that he had gotten as a gift. Of course I accepted, and of course Cheryl and the kids wanted to be there. So, we made plans and on Saturday, we loaded up and took off.
Let me say right up front, skydiving is awesome! It was everything that I had hoped for and more. I can hardly express how great it was, but that has never stopped me from trying. So, here goes.
First, was I scared. Actually, no. I was not scared at any point (this could be a bad sign but I'm going to go with it!) Maybe the all the rationales worked on me: "The odds are far higher of [blah,blah,blah]" and "People do this all the time!" Whatever it was, I honestly didn't have any point at which I thought twice about doing it. Instead, it was a total rush from the moment I put on the harness to the moment I put my feet back on the ground.
We arrived in Beeville at around 3 and did the paperwork - scads of papers to sign. "Yes, I know I could die", "Yes, I agree not to sue if I die", "No, my family won't either." (I seriously think that a hand cramp from all the signing was about the worst injury I risked!) The training was brief - "This is a plane. You will jump out here" - and we were off to the airport.
At the field we decided I would jump first (small plane = 1 at a time). They strapped me into a harness that was tight enough to kill any hope of walking normally to the plane. Then we climbed into the plane - a Cessna. The plane likely at one point had more than one seat, but not now. I sat with my back to the pilot and 3 other guys (2 solos and my instructor) piled in around me. We looked more like a clown car than a serious skydiving operation. Once in the air, though, it was great. We circled the field gaining altitude and enjoying the view. The guys even had a little fun with me asking the instructor if he had taken his meds. He naturally replied, "No, I haven't blacked out in days!"
Then - we hit altitude. 2 miles.
When the door came open it was finally "real." I was about to jump OUT that door ... at 2 miles up! The instructor attached to my harness and we moved to the door ... awesome. I followed my training and put my right foot out on the strut ... Awesome. I grabbed tight to my chest harness and a second later felt his weight come out behind me and watched the plane fall away behind us ... AWESOME!
The freefall was intense in every way: Strange G-forces in so many directions, the wind literally screaming past, the earth in every direction with nothing between, the amazing sensations of literally flying through the sky at an incredible speed. In 45 seconds we had just enough time to look around and do a couple of 360's just to see the sights.
I was warned on the ground that the chute opening would be quite a jerk. It was not, however, as bad as what I was prepared for. In a moment we were floating serenely under the canopy and all the intensity of freefall was replaced by calm and quiet. We did a couple of sharp turns in a figure-8, and then prepared to land.
The landing was a breeze. To keep from risking a face-plant, we came in with our feet out and plopped down in the field just a few yards from where Cheryl and the kids were watching. Then it was Will's turn.
Would I do it again? HECK, yes! Unfortunantly it is a bit pricey. You could spend 3 to 4 thousand easily gettng trained and geared up. Sadly the inflight video was pretty pricey, too. But, my personal videographer/photographer was there so we go the video below.
If you ever get a chance ... GO SKYDIVE! Meanwhile, enjoy this video...
Isaac is pretty solid with number recognition, so what game would be better with that skill - GO FISH! He did great - even won! we did have to work a bit on the concepts, though. He didn't get at first that when I called for a card that he had, that was not something to get excited about and cheered for me when I did! So, I returned the favor - it was an exceedingly cordial game! He also needed help fanning his cards but beyond that, he picked up the game quickly. We had a blast! Julia even had fun watching for us while she ate! What a night!
