sinker 0 #1 March 22, 2003 Here we go, 6:48 am, about to head to the DZ for my first jump in over 6 long years. Clear blue sky, should be in the low 60's. Caravan waiting for me (first turbine jump), a little nervous, can't help grinnin from ear to ear. God it's been so long. Hope to get 3 in before I have to come tend to the family. Wish me luck! -the artist formerly known as sinker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #2 March 22, 2003 welcome BACK to the skies!DO post your post jump stories! its good to have ya home! My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #3 March 22, 2003 Rawk on, Sinker! I gotta say, "welcome home"... Hugs to you! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
QuickDraw 0 #4 March 22, 2003 So your not current then ? I'm guessing here that you may need a check out jump. Have a great day dude. -- Hope you don't die. -- I'm fucking winning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #5 March 22, 2003 Awesome! Have a blast and let us know how it goes. Chris _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #6 March 22, 2003 Quote Here we go, 6:48 am, about to head to the DZ for my first jump in over 6 long years. Clear blue sky, should be in the low 60's. Caravan waiting for me (first turbine jump), a little nervous, can't help grinnin from ear to ear. God it's been so long. Hope to get 3 in before I have to come tend to the family. Wish me luck! The "Caravan waiting for ME" .. 2,291 days,,,, sounds like an adequate "sabbatical from jumping" to me..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #7 March 22, 2003 Welcome back to the sport, Sinker!! Have a GREAT skydiving day, and let us know how it went! Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooked 0 #8 March 22, 2003 Good for you!!!! It must be a wonderful feeling. We will be waiting to hear the storiesJ --"Some day.....I will fly away". -------------------------------------- Sometimes we're just being Humans.....But we're always Human Beings. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
n2skdvn 0 #9 March 22, 2003 welcome home....... if my calculations are correct SLINKY + ESCULATOR = EVERLASTING FUN my site Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stilettodude 0 #10 March 22, 2003 COOL dude. "HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydyvr 0 #11 March 22, 2003 Yea baby, Yeeeeaaaaaaa! . . =(_8^(1) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FallingILweenie 0 #12 March 22, 2003 have fun at archway dude! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sinker 0 #13 March 22, 2003 Hi everybody, thanks for the good vibes! Whew. What a day and I am exhausted, even though I only got in two jumps. The first was a level IV recurrancy jump and that was AWESOME!!! First, low clouds were looming in Tennessee, so I was getting Well, they lifted but the Caravan was late So, we did the level IV out of the 182. My big old belly makes it hard to get around in that little thing. We jumped at 11,500. Man, it's colder at altitude than I remember. But what a great dive! JM Chris Martin released me to hover soon after exit, we docked, released, did the requisite turns, and redocked. My RW was better on this first jump in 6.6 years than any other in the past! It was amazing... it was just like riding a bike. We fell between some patchy clouds at 6k, waved off at 5k and had a great big Falcon 265 above my head quickly. /channeling austin powers/ Ouchkabibble! A little sore in the thigh! Conservative canopy control and I NAILED a 20 meter stand up landing (5-8 kt wind helped)!!! I was ecstatic!! Second jump, still no Caravan so another out of the 182. This wasn't as good as the first. Attempted 2-way w/ a very healthy and spry 70 year old rigger named Harry. I warned him that my fall rate was, er, rather healthy and he said don't worry so was his. Welll... we exited at 9.5k, not a bad exit but not as stable as the level IV recurrency exit. So I'm stable and looking around for Harry, no sign of him. So I look up, there he is, fighting like mad trying to get down to me, but to no avail. I'm such an anvil. I tried dearching, got a little wobbly so I waved off and played a little. Another good shoot, some spirals under canopy, some practice flares, rear riser turns, and a not-so-good landing at 25-30 meters from target center. I flared about 4 feet to high and sunk in, had to drop to my knees. Ah well... What a great day!!! Beautiful clouds, rekindling old friendships, and tomorrow's my 33rd bday. As a special treat, my wife and kids surprised me by coming out to the DZ to watch my level IV. I was touched and the kids can't wait to turn of age to jump w/ dad (they're only 6 and 4). Wouldn't you know it... the Caravan showed up just as I had to get going back to Nashville! Oh well, there's always NEXT WEEKEND!!! Thanks all for welcoming me back! God I feel GREAT!!! Michael -the artist formerly known as sinker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dove 0 #14 March 22, 2003 I would say "welcome home" but you never really left, now did you? Fall in dove. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sinker 0 #15 March 22, 2003 you are right dove, I never really left... jumping was a constant theme in my dreams... -the artist formerly known as sinker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sinker 0 #16 March 22, 2003 Unfortunately it wasn't at Archway, it was atTennessee Skydiving Center. I won't be able to jump up there for another couple of months... but can't wait... -the artist formerly known as sinker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FallingILweenie 0 #17 March 23, 2003 just the same, welcome back!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #18 March 23, 2003 Congrats bro!! Feels good to be back in the saddle huh Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sinker 0 #19 March 23, 2003 Thanks Rhino!! It does indeed feel good, and when I walk I have a constant reminder... hard opening caused a bit of a bruise to my inner thigh ... well worth the pain baby, well worth it. -the artist formerly known as sinker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luv2Fall 0 #20 March 23, 2003 Way to go, man! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites