patmoore 14 #1 September 24, 2008 Three decades is a long time. On Monday I had the pleasure of reuniting with my old friend Jim Hooper at his club in London. It had been 32 years since we had last seen each other. Way back then, Hoop was a pioneer in large formation RW and I was mostly a style and accuracy type. Jim did the majority of instruction of first time jumpers at Z-Hills and I handled much of the jumpmastering duties. Coincidentally we worked together at the NBC-TV affiliate in Hartford. I had lost contact with him years ago and it was a real treat to sit down with him a continent away and turn back the clock. He has had a fascinating life and has had a great deal of success in writing about the turmoil so prevalent in remote parts of the world. My years in the sport provided me with countless memories and friends I'll always treasure. Hoop is way up on that list. Attached is photo taken Monday.DZGone.com B-4600, C-3615, D-1814, Gold Wings #326, Diamond Wings #152. If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lodestar 0 #2 September 24, 2008 Thanks for posting pat, although I don't really recognize either one of those guys....hell, I still look the same as I was 30 years ago.....I'm even sending you a current picture to prove it!!! Tuna Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
patmoore 14 #3 September 25, 2008 Tuna, you really haven't changed. Amazing! Wish I could say that. My wife and I had a terrific two weeks in Europe. The day after our dinner with Hoop, we toured Paris and finally heading home last night.DZGone.com B-4600, C-3615, D-1814, Gold Wings #326, Diamond Wings #152. If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RogerRamjet 0 #4 September 26, 2008 Pat, good for you! I was trying to hook up with Hoop last year on a trip to London, but the trip fell apart. I'm still wanting to go back there again, so we may be planning a trip there soon. Both of you had an impact on my jumping and I still think fondly of those days at Z-Hills. I was in the plane I believe for your jump number 1000. Seems like they did something at the peas for you, but I my memory is a bit hazy about it. ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
patmoore 14 #5 September 26, 2008 Hi Roger, You have a better memory than I do. How'd you make out at the water skiing nationals? DZGone.com B-4600, C-3615, D-1814, Gold Wings #326, Diamond Wings #152. If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RogerRamjet 0 #6 September 28, 2008 Quote Hi Roger, You have a better memory than I do. How'd you make out at the water skiing nationals? Your memory seems fine to me (you remembered I was skiing in the Nationals). I skied well, though not quite to my seeding. Still, I'm happy to qualify for and ski in them. I seem to remember they had a circle of beer or some such thing. You went by yourself on the jump, maybe style or accuracy or just fun, can't remember (of course). I can tell you that I only remember three instructor/jumpmasters from my student days at Z-Hills, Jim Hooper, Dan Steiger, and you (in no particular order). All three of you influenced my early jumping and I'm certain helped keep my alive long enough to "get it." I believe starting at that particlular dropzone was a huge stroke of luck for me. To be surrounded by that kind of talent has got to be an edge. I know when I went on vacation with around 250 jumps, the places I jumped in Maryland (Downsville and Woodbine) treated me like a skygod even though most of them had a ton more jumps than me. I had already been in 10, 16, and 20 man stars and most of them had never seen that many people in freefall together before. Made me realize how lucky I was to have started with you guys... ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lodestar 0 #7 September 28, 2008 Roger, FYI, Dan Steiger aka "steely dan" lives here in saint augustine over on anastasia island. We were actually neighbors for a time and enjoyed many conversations about the hills. Far as I know he's still there, I moved out of town and haven't seen him in quite a while, maybe I should stop in and tell him about the DZ site. tuna Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RogerRamjet 0 #8 September 29, 2008 QuoteRoger, FYI, Dan Steiger aka "steely dan" lives here in saint augustine over on anastasia island. We were actually neighbors for a time and enjoyed many conversations about the hills. Far as I know he's still there, I moved out of town and haven't seen him in quite a while, maybe I should stop in and tell him about the DZ site. tuna Tuna, Please do look him up. At least get his email address or phone number. I'd very much like to catch up with him. I've exchanged emails with so many friends from those days through this site; I really appreciate that it exists! ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
