PhreeZone 20 #1 January 18, 2004 And now I'm back in Ohio. 2500 miles driven, 40 hours in the car, 5 days off work, 1 trip I won't forget anytime soon. I had an absolutely great time the entire week in FL. The people and staff at Lake Wales were so friendly all week and made sure I was having fun that I think all the staff at my DZ needs to take lessons from them. The British freefly team was at Lake Wales for coaching all week so the Otter was doing back to backs all day... very nice for me since I could jump when ever I wanted to then. I had a great time playing with all the people like Zak, Pauly and Max over at Lake Wales at the start of the week. I made the mistake of going to the Tunnel on Tuesday to fly for 15 minutes. I ended up spending most the afternoon hanging out with Arlo and watching the tunnel flyers. XL was holding a camp and I was learning a ton by watching them. While Arlo is now my favorite person in FL, she's evil because she's trying to talk me into coming back to that crackhouse again and spending more money hitting the walls. Lets just say my time in the tunnel was humbling... I'm SOOOOOO glad there is no video of it. I hit every wall once and ended up on the grate a few times on my back. Then there is the flip incident too... I do want to thank Arlo publicly for making my trip to the tunnel a highlight of the 2500 mile trip. She volunteered to fly as a target in the tunnel for me to practice docking on. That alone took some guts considering she had watched me flail and hit some walls only a minute earlier. Wednesday was my day trip to Deland. Kolla, Thank you!!!! for the tour of PD. I interrupted Kolla's entire afternoon and forced her to give me a tour of PD, not to mention I made her give me the ink pen off her desk since it was a Katana pen. I actually had a good time and it was very educational to the rigger part of me. I got to watch a few Katana's being put together and some canopies being cut. Things made a lot more sense after seeing how PD builds canopies now. They have a very nice operation that I highly suggest checking out if you are in the area. The level of quality control that goes into a PD canopy alone is worth the tour. From the light box inspection of the fabric to the final assembly... I learned a lot about PD canopies in that short 30 minute tour. Thanks again Kolla. Deland is surrounded my lots of buildings and homes. Luckily I had on my S3 and could fly back after being dropped over them Over all Deland is a nice DZ... but there was a lack of fun jumping mid week last week there. I looked around for some DZ.commers and ran into Asof and briefly spoke to Vladi on the ride up... but I didn't see anyone else I knew there. Sorry Ray, you were no where to be found. After jumping at Deland I went and had beers with Skymama. Let me tell you... she is a LUSH! Alright... so it took me about 3 hours to kill a beer. She still had 3 in that time. I had a very nice time talking to Andrea. She was the last of the non foreign language Greenies I was yet to meet. Andrea, was it better to be having the beers with me or did you really want to be cleaning the bathrooms at home? Then it was off to Zhills for Thursday. Did 2 jumps with Cancer Chris and Jerm. My HD is really that bad, they did'nt believe me before hand. I met up with the always lovely Cora and Kramer. Hung out with Jerm and his GF Heidi, also hung with some Ranch Hands - Selbbub78 and Marco. Bubbles swimming in the Zhills pond was just funny since every one was in long sleeves and jeans and she decides to go skinny dipping at like 3 in the afternoon Great dinner with everyone plus a couple from near me in Ohio that were down at Zhills for AFF and currency. I spent some time visiting SkydiverChick in Lakeland Regional Hospital after she broke herself on News Years Eve. She didn't find it too funny when I wanted to tickle the foot on the leg she broke I'm glad to see her get released finally. Total count on the trip: 13 jumps, 15 minutes in the Tunnel, 3 DZ's and met a lof of DZ.commers (Although HeatherB bailed on us for dinner ). Once again I want to thank everyone that made my trip a lot of fun. Arlo, Kolla, Andrea, Lake Wales, Zhills, Deland, Skyventure... THANK YOU! Its in the 20's here now, I'm thinking I need to come back next month too Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MattM 0 #2 January 18, 2004 and didn't even drop by Raeford.... dude.... Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #3 January 18, 2004 Raeford was only like 7 hours ouT of my way. I could have justified it if SM1 was going to be there this weekend. Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #4 January 18, 2004 Sounds like you had a great time. Thanks for such a great write up, made me feel like I was there with you. Except the part about hitting the tunnel walls Now I'm even more excited about my trip out to Florida in April. Counting the days till I can hook up with my girls Arlo and Lisa.May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbo 0 #5 January 18, 2004 You didn't drop by to see The Bytch? - Jim"Like" - The modern day comma Good bye, my friends. You are missed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MattM 0 #6 January 18, 2004 QuoteRaeford was only like 7 hours ouT of my way. I could have justified it if SM1 was going to be there this weekend. Thanks dude, makes me feel really important... Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #7 January 18, 2004 QuoteAndrea, was it better to be having the beers with me or did you really want to be cleaning the bathrooms at home? Now that I know I'm not your favorite person in FL, I should have stayed home and cleaned the bathrooms. J/K...it was really nice meeting you. I hope we get to skydive together the next time. She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #8 January 18, 2004 >Thanks dude, makes me feel really important... Where is the video from July? Raeford is on my Spring trip list again. Bytch will have to wait till WFFC. I was going to hit Sebastian on Friday but the forcast for Ohio was snow and ice so I took off a day early to beat the weather.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #9 January 18, 2004 Thanks for stopping by to see the GA girls on your way back. Next time we won't be in the hospital I hope. Hugs, Lisa -- Hot Mama At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #10 January 18, 2004 Glad you had a good time Erk. Though i did miss our daily IMs. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #11 January 18, 2004 I'm getting used to seeing someone in Dublin ill or hurt How is she doing today?Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arlo 0 #12 January 18, 2004 Quote I made the mistake of going to the Tunnel on Tuesday to fly for 15 minutes. I ended up spending most the afternoon hanging out with Arlo and watching the tunnel flyers. XL was holding a camp and I was learning a ton by watching them. While Arlo is now my favorite person in FL, she's evil because she's trying to talk me into coming back to that crackhouse again and spending more money hitting the walls. Lets just say my time in the tunnel was humbling... I'm SOOOOOO glad there is no video of it. I hit every wall once and ended up on the grate a few times on my back. Then there is the flip incident too... I do want to thank Arlo publicly for making my trip to the tunnel a highlight of the 2500 mile trip. She volunteered to fly as a target in the tunnel for me to practice docking on. That alone took some guts considering she had watched me flail and hit some walls only a minute earlier. andrea, the only reason he said i was his favorite person in florida is because he knows not to diss his connection at the crackhouse. trust me, if it weren't for that, you'd be at the top of the list. too, you out drank him. eric, glad you had such a good time and glad i could be a contributing factor. florida is full of some really cool-ass people and you got a little sample of it this go round. it was very nice meeting you and i look forward to trying to hand you your ass in the tunnel next go-round . blues, arlo p.s. not to rub it in or anything, but it's 62°F at 12:14am now. do you know where your snow chains are? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kramer 0 #13 January 18, 2004 QuoteHeatherB bailed on us for dinner . Ladyskydiver, jmpnkramer, and myself bailed on her for dinner about a week or so ago...she just musta been using you to get back us. Sounds like you had a good time man. Reading all that made me miss being down there. ...must...move...to...florida... -Kramer The FAKE KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!!!!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #14 January 18, 2004 Quotetrust me, if it weren't for that, you'd be at the top of the list. too, you out drank him. I don't mind playing second fiddle to you, Arlo, you're da bomb! I just had to give Erk a hard time about that. He should know better than to make statements like that around women. It's not too hard to drink that boy under the table. He had about a 1/2 inch of his beer in 4 hours. She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #15 January 18, 2004 QuoteHe had about a 1/2 inch of his beer in 4 hours. So how long does it take for a Yard? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kolla 0 #16 January 18, 2004 Hey Eric, it was a pleasure to get to show you around PD - glad you had a chance to stop by! Use that Katana pen wisely my friend.... a good start would be to fill out a Katana order form early February... Next time we might get to finally make a jump - or I might meet you at Arlo's Crackhouse for a few minutes of fun! Later, KollaBlue Skies Magazine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #17 January 18, 2004 QuoteIt's not too hard to drink that boy under the table. He had about a 1/2 inch of his beer in 4 hours youjust have to find him inthe right mood... i distincly remeber him rinkig and carying around a whole pither full of a margarita at wffc last year....... the boy can drink when he wants to... ______________________________________ "i have no reader's digest version" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #18 January 18, 2004 >He should know better than to make statements like that around women. Andrea... what did I tell you about my rules of dating? And next time make it so I don't have to drive and we'll see who can drink. Arlo, you know its not hard to embaress me in the tunnel. Flying in that fishbowl made me realize that I need to get down there more to play. And my snow chains are safely back on the car... thanks for being worried about them. I think I need to get a tshirt made that says "I've seen Kolla at 4 boogies, but she won't jump with me" WFFC for sure, if you are'nt hiding from me again this year.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #19 January 18, 2004 Quote"I've seen Kolla at 4 boogies, but she won't jump with me" Now you understand about me trying to get a jump with Lew. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arlo 0 #20 January 18, 2004 eric, you did a good job in the tunnel. trust me, i've seen folks with thousands of jumps fly in there for the first time and not do as well. at least you have your work cut out for your next trip. you have to see lisa and wendy, you have to bring us chocolate, too. would you REALLY want to FL chiquitas ganging up on you? take care, arlo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #21 January 18, 2004 BTW... how was the trip to the chriopractor? He had to do a better job on that wrecked back of yours then what I did. >you have to bring us chocolate, too. Name the type next trip and its yours. >would you REALLY want to FL chiquitas ganging up on you? Oh the TORTURE!!! PLEASE ANYTHING but that! I really was in hell all week, from Kendra at Lake Wales to Arlo, Kolla and Andrea at Deland to all the Ranch Hands at Zhills... I had never been forced to spend as much time with as many pretty women as I was last week. Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #22 January 18, 2004 QuoteI had never been forced to spend as much time with as many pretty women as I was last week. Well....except for that bender at the titty bar that one time..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #23 January 18, 2004 QuoteI really was in hell all week, from Kendra at Lake Wales Is Kendra making trouble again? If I had know you were going to be hanging with her, I would have told you to stay away. She will hurt you.May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arlo 0 #24 January 18, 2004 you didn't tell me about kendra!!! I LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE kendra! now SHE is one cool-ass chica. my back is better...but more thanks to lucie than the doc. it's that old age.... milk chocolate, please. hazelnuts are a BIG plus. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #25 January 18, 2004 QuoteIs Kendra making trouble again? When is'nt she? Kendra was extremely pleasent all week even with the silly Brits making her get up at 7 to open the DZ. Oh yeah... The University of Maryland jumper that landed on the deck at Deland should be given a PRO rating for that one Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites