kevin922 0 #1 January 5, 2003 It all started months back when I demoed a birdman suit with Jari @ Orange. I decided this was a must have addition to my gear bag, so I placed the order and waited.. and waitied, and waitied. 11 weeks went by and my suit finally came in - one big problem however, it was now ass-cold in my new "home" state of Virginia (I was recently transplanted from Mississippi). I felt there was only one thing to do - go south for Christmas. So I began the planning to go to Florida for christmas/New Years. I put out a plea on DZ.Com for a place to stay since I would be bringing my [URL http://www.interone.net/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=02snow&id=aaa]kid[/URL]. After a few days an offer from a fellow EMT came through, SkydiverBrian graceously offered a room in his place in Orlando along with his two dogs. The day came closer and closer, and finally it was here. Christmas day I decided to start my trip to florida. Woke up and looked out my window to see [URL http://www.interone.net/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=fla03&id=abe]horrible roads[/URL] but none the less, Tank and I got in the car and went. We passed countless wrecks, cars turned around the wrong way and even a semi truck on its side but soon we were back on stable ground heading south. We made it into Orlando christmas night Tank had a little "get to know you session" with Brian's animals and after some growling and nipping everything was good. I decided that the next day I'd go make a trip to sarasota and surprise my grandparents - they didn't know I was coming and were completely dumfounded when I showed up at their door (the last time they saw me was when I was about 3 feet shorter and a lot younger). After I left sarasota I went north to Tampa and met up with JumperGirl -- she showed me around the great town of Tampa, we went shopping (I got a nice [URL http://www.interone.net/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=fla03&id=abq]sticker[/URL] for my helmet, and a good skydiving [URL http://www.interone.net/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=fla03&id=abp]shirt[/URL].) We decided to go see Catch Me If You Can, a great movie, and then go back to take the dogs (Tank & Slider) for a walk. After going through a ritzy neighborhood we found a nice gaudy christmas gettup in the front yard of a house and decided to seize the moment. I made the trip back to Orlando and was all excited about my first day of jumping -- Deland here I come! Brian and I left for Deland, got there and the nightmare began. I should have got a hint after standing in line forever just to check in that things might not being going good at Deland. I just figured that it was a big DZ and the wait was to be expected, so I filled out everything put money on the account and manifested for a load! Decided I'd do a birdman jump for my first jump in Florida... so a nice big DZ can't wait to get on the nice big plane, right? Wrong. I got stuck on the Porter. Now I don't know if everyone knows what a porter is but is basically a cessena on steroids. You can fit 10 people in it (I think my load had 8), it's relatively slow to altitude, and somewhat cramped. Keep in mind i'm doing a birdman - I was a little nervous because I hadn't done a birdman out of a cessena much less a porter. By the time we got to altitude my foot and the leg it was attached to were sound asleep, counting sheep i'm sure. I rolled out the door and pulled the exit off nicely, the whole flight was errie since my leg was asleep but i landed and all was good. Decided to go manifest for my second load... the nightmare continues. The porter was on an hour wait, the otter was on a 2 hour wait. WHAT?? Why?? Well turns out the 4-way teams were practicing and had every other otter filled up, and the 20 japanese tourists that showed up didn't help matters out either. Brian and I decided to make the trip to Z-Hills so we could get some jumps in. So we got there in time to do 2 more jumps for the day, Z-Hills was a nice atmosphere, huge landing area, and 4 otters (2 flying) with less than a 30 minute wait for a load. We decided the next day we'd go to Sebastian and we also decided that we wanted someone to come with us.. not just anyone, but the one, the only, SKYMAMA! It took more convincing than i'm sure some hostage negotiators have to do - but we finally convinced her to come to Brian's in the morning and go with us to Sebastian. I joked with her on the phone about being at Brian's house at 8:00.. to which her response was "8:00! That means i have to get up at 6:30 to do my hair and makeup!!" so I figured that meant it would be a good 9:30 or 10 before I actually saw her, so I went to bed and thought nothing of it. At around 7:45 i start coming in and out of conciousness and then I hear Brian's dogs start barking. What is going on?? Well guess what - she showed up, and right at 8:00 nonetheless. So I go flopping out of bed and quickly run through the shower we pile in the Mama-Mobile (complete with the rainbow mickey mouse antenna ornament) and head off to Sebastian. On the way to sebastian Mama let me taste her forbidden treats.. (her cookies that is) which was a substitude for the breakfast I didn't have time to eat. We made it to sebastian and quickly manifested for a load, Brian and I went and grabbed Mama -- "hey we're on a 5 minute call lets go" she basically didn't know what was going on, and it turns out that worked out for the better - because we had manifested for a Helicopter load. Mama had never done a heli load,and she was nervous (evidence of this is in the Video where you can see her hand firmly affixed to the heli during the whole way up). She didn't start smiling until the pilot said get out :) I had some good jumps including one birdman with Rdutch but the fun had to come to an end at some point, and so off we went back to Orlando. The next day I decided to give Deland another chance - I headed out there met back up with Mama and then we ran into Vallerina and WildBlue. Vallerina, Mama, and I did a 3 way sit which went pretty good (at least by my standards). That night I went to skyventure to watch Wildblue and Vallerina do their thing in the tunnel - boy it looked fun! I already had my reservation for the 1st booked before I came down, but man I was wanting to do it right then. The next day I made my way back off to Z-Hills -- more helio jumps!! Did a heli with Jumpergirl & Happythoughts unfortunately my damn camera was zoomed in from the previous day of filming landings so it didn't turn out :( but the jump was good! Decided to do a birdman out of the Heli as well - boy that was awesome! Wildblue videoed, turned out great! New Years was a total wash, litterally - a big-ass monsoon came through florida leaving everything drenched. I decided to just go home and watch Dick (Clark) on TV - pretty un-exciting but oh well. Spent New Years with the kid.. the responsible thing to do right? :) On the 1st it was MY turn for the tunnel. Skydiverbrian and I headed off -- man it was harder than I expected! You can see from this video that I was flopping around everywhere. Brian did a good bit better than I did.. he and the instructor did a little follow the leader game. One of the days it was too windy to jump, so I decided to go to the Fantasy of Flight museum - it was pretty interesting - one of the things I liked best was the mock up of a military jump plane complete with wind blowing when you stick your head out the door and a jump master waiting to push you out! (video) Overall I must say i had a great time and already miss all the people I met while I was down there! Hopefully some of you guys will make it to the Mardi Gras boogie in March and we'll all hang out once again. See the entire picture gallery Here Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #2 January 5, 2003 Outstanding report.........Mardi Gras @ Gold Coast? You know Miami Mike??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #3 January 5, 2003 Looks like Wildblue sucked it a tad on the low side on that heli jumpI know they were following the Chopper north today. Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevin922 0 #4 January 5, 2003 QuoteOutstanding report.........Mardi Gras @ Gold Coast? You know Miami Mike??? Heck yeah I know him :) That used to be my home DZ, i'm the current webmaster too! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #5 January 5, 2003 Thanks for the video and the jumps, Kevin! You sure do know how to show a girl a good 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
Beerlight 0 #6 January 5, 2003 I was Mike's jump pilot on his VERY FIRST jump and most of his AFF....Cool cat that Miami.......Maybe see ya'll at Mardi Gras....... Buck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevin922 0 #7 January 5, 2003 QuoteI was Mike's jump pilot on his VERY FIRST jump and most of his AFF....Cool cat that Miami.......Maybe see ya'll at Mardi Gras....... Buck Cool! Travis is the only pilot i've ever flown with there.. he's a good guy too. Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #8 January 5, 2003 All that was @ Skydive San Antonio......Miami just got a job as...get this.... Jumpmaster at the Air Force Academy basic freefall school......should be fun...Can you say free jumps....! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevin922 0 #9 January 5, 2003 QuoteAll that was @ Skydive San Antonio......Miami just got a job as...get this.... Jumpmaster at the Air Force Academy basic freefall school......should be fun...Can you say free jumps....! yeah I heard about that -- lucky bastard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverbrian 0 #10 January 5, 2003 That was alot of fun. Thanks for the video. Now if we can just get Skymama to buy some beer for all her firsts.... In a world full of people, only some want to fly... isn't that crazy! --Seal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #11 January 5, 2003 Hey, Kevin! It was great meetin' ya and making a jump with you and Skymama! Cool pictures! I'll post a few of mine once I get the chance!There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #12 January 5, 2003 Quote Now if we can just get Skymama to buy some beer for all her firsts.... Hey, I gave you cookies and let you enjoy the pleasure of my company as you chauffeured me around central Florida. Isn't that enough? 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
n2skdvn 0 #13 January 5, 2003 Quote......Miami just got a job as...get this.... Jumpmaster at the Air Force Academy basic freefall school......should be fun...Can you say free jumps....! so thats where miami has been hiding!!!!! so ya commin down for mardigras kev?if my calculations are correct SLINKY + ESCULATOR = EVERLASTING FUN my site Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #14 January 5, 2003 Quote so ya commin down for mardigras kev? Happy Mardi Gras!There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnischalke 0 #15 January 5, 2003 Excellent report, soldier! Are you gonna be out at O soon? I wanna dump down Brian G's helo video if you still got it. I never got a chance to have him dump it for me. There's really nothing better than hanging off the skids of a helicopter at 4500ft on the sunset, sunset, sunset load with three of your friends and looking cool too. hehehee! Shockers!!!!!!! mike Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FreeFlyHol 0 #16 January 5, 2003 Heh, heh, heh. I loved hearing about your trip Kevin! All the little clicky things just cracked me up. It reminded me of those little kid books where you read along and see a picture of a dog, for instance, and then press the picture of the dog and it barks. Ok maybe it's just me...but I was RAOTFLMAO as I read it. Glad you had fun and made it back safe, so I can continue to give you shit. x's and o's, Hol :)When cheese gets its picture taken, what does it say? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevin922 0 #17 January 5, 2003 QuoteExcellent report, soldier!! Are you gonna be out at O soon? I wanna dump down Brian G's helo video if you still got it. I never got a chance to have him dump it for me. There's really nothing better than hanging off the skids of a helicopter at 4500ft on the sunset, sunset, sunset load with three of your friends and looking cool too. hehehee! Shockers!!!!!!! Not sure when i'm gonna make it back out there - have to start the financial recovery process from the trip, and pray that it will get warmer up here soon :) If you're ever in NOVA you can stop by and get it though! Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevin922 0 #18 January 5, 2003 QuoteHey, Kevin! It was great meetin' ya and making a jump with you and Skymama! Cool pictures! I'll post a few of mine once I get the chance! Glad to see you made it back okay, can't wait to see your pics too! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildblue 7 #19 January 5, 2003 Quote Looks like Wildblue sucked it a tad on the low side on that heli jumpI know they were following the Chopper north today. Nope, not that low. He just pulled high it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,153 #20 January 5, 2003 I didn't see you at Z-Hills. I was there 27th - 2nd. Did several jumps with Bill (Happythoughts), though they were big enough (30 - 40 ways) that I don't recall actually seeing him in the air. Also jumped the helicopter.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevin922 0 #21 January 6, 2003 Quote Quote Looks like Wildblue sucked it a tad on the low side on that heli jumpI know they were following the Chopper north today. Nope, not that low. He just pulled high Dude I was still flying when you were under canopy! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpergirl 0 #22 January 6, 2003 Kevin, it was great meeting you, Brian and Vallerina! Thanks for the report! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #23 January 6, 2003 Quote Kevin, it was great meeting you, Brian and Vallerina! Thanks for the report! Did it suck meeting Wildblue and Cajun? There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpergirl 0 #24 January 6, 2003 I didn't even realize I met them!!!!!! I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to leave ya'll out!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildblue 7 #25 January 6, 2003 Quote Dude I was still flying when you were under canopy! That was really cool watching you pick up speed, then it just seemed like you completely stopped falling. Man, I gotta try one of those things....it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
