I had a very interesting weekend.\u00a0 For years, I have asked Hoby repeatedly to send me skydiving.\u00a0 I have REALLY wanted to go for just about ever.\u00a0 Even more so for the last 10 years, after I discovered that you could do it tandem with an instructor (much less scary that way).\u00a0 This year I made my plea again, since I am fixin\u2019 to turn 50 (who da\u2019 thunk?).\u00a0 I told Hoby that my time was nearly up for being able or allowed to do something like that.\u00a0 So\u2026 He finally gave in!<\/p>\n
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Unbeknownst to me, he scheduled a jump reservation.\u00a0 He brought a cake into work and we celebrated my impending jump with my co-workers.\u00a0 Wow, was I surprised!<\/p>\n
Anyway, yesterday was the \u201cJ\u201d day.\u00a0 We went just outside of Ca\u00f1on City, CO to the Freemont County Airport.\u00a0 They show you a video and have you sign a lot of things, mostly about not suing if you die or are hurt.\u00a0 It is a dangerous sport, after all.\u00a0\u00a0 Then, once you sign everything, they snatch that paper away and start the process of putting you in a harness (black is not really my color).\u00a0 So, then you are hooked up and given about 3 minutes of training.\u00a0 Really, there is a bit of do this and that; but, it is mostly about what NOT to do.<\/p>\n
The plane is very little.\u00a0 It can only take two tandem jumper teams at a time.\u00a0 There are no seats in it, so you sit between the legs of your instructor.\u00a0 The flight up to 8000 feet takes about 20 or so minutes.\u00a0 Less time if it\u2019s cool, but longer as it gets warmer.\u00a0 The instructor talks to you and there is a lot of scenery in the form of mountains and desert sand.\u00a0 They also took us near the Royal Gorge.<\/p>\n
At the five minute warning, you sit on the instructors lap and then he tightens up your harness and connects it to his.\u00a0 He goes over the instructions again. At the one minute warning, you get your goggles on and he tightens them to the point of just about popping your brain out of the top of your head.<\/p>\n
Then the big moment! The door opened and the first team departed.\u00a0 He then scooted us back to the door.\u00a0 He yells (because the wind is very loud and intense) to put my foot on the step outside the door. \u201cLeft foot, okay, now, the right one\u201d. The next thing you know, we are most of the way out of the plane.\u00a0 He grabs me and out the door we go! The rush is intense, as is the wind.\u00a0 After just a minute he tapped my shoulder to raise my hands and relax.<\/p>\n
It was great! It seemed to last quite a while and I almost forgot that the chute had to be opened!\u00a0 He then shakes my hands so I will put them back on the harness for the shoot opening.\u00a0 Up we go and then we are falling at a much slower pace.\u00a0 It is still so cool!<\/p>\n
Matt, my instructor, then loosened the harness a bit so it was more comfortable. Although, the next day I discovered that they still left bruises on my armpits and the top of my arms.\u00a0 We talked as we descended and he showed me the sights, as we glided towards the ground.<\/p>\n
As soon as I could make out Hoby on the ground, I was waving at him.\u00a0 It was too high for him to be able to see it. But, I did it anyhow.<\/p>\n
I told Matt that I wanted a soft landing!\u00a0 Which, he thankfully accomplished for me.\u00a0 It was just like sitting down in a chair, only a bit dustier.<\/p>\n
Hoby got some pictures and he had purchased a video, so Matt was shooting all the way down.\u00a0 The video seems to look up my nose quite a bit, but who cares at 8000 feet?<\/p>\n
I had a great time and it was all I hoped it would be!\u00a0 Thanks to Hoby for making it happen. Thanks to Matt for keeping me safe and that soft landing.<\/p>\n
So, if you ever get the urge to come to CO and skydive, I know a good place and instructor; Matt, at High Sky Adventures Parachute Club!<\/p>\n
Hoby… FYI… I didn’t add the background music.\u00a0 The skydiving staff did.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42<\/em><\/p>\n \n