skyyhi

Okay, so I wrote this post for my non-skydiving friends who wanted to know about the experience. . .it doesn't quite do the experience justice though. . .It was an incredible experience today. . .I posted my freefall picture. . . Okay, I finally did it. . .it was FABULOUS. . .There is this incredible thing that happens when you leave the safety of the plane. . .course nothing I say is going to do this day any justice. . . My journey began yesterday with my AFF instructor, Mark. He spent several hours teaching me how to handle my parachute and what I was going to do during the freefall and about what to do if I have a parachute malfunction. After class it was to rainy and cold so the jump got postponed until today. Today dawned bright and sunny. A great day for a skydive. Suddenly the nerves set in. I really was going to jump out of an airplane. We got to the dropzone, I checked in, and a little later met with my jumpmasters. They got me suited up in my jumpsuit and walked me through my jump. Then suddenly we were on the plane and I knew I was in for a truly incredible experience. As we climbed to altitude, my jumpmasters, Yoyo and Doug, had me talk through my skydive. We checked the altitude and as we approached jump altitude, everyone in the plane began doing gear checks and putting on helmets. A few moments later the door goes up and people start jumping out of the plane. We slide down closer and closer to the door until it is my turn to jump. We have to close the door of the plane and go back around because we are too far out from the landing area. Then the door opens again, my jumpmasters ask me if I am ready and then I am in the door, ready to jump. Suddenly time just kind of stands still. There is this incredible blast of cold air that hits me in the face. I prepare to do my count, I count, and then we are out of the plane. Upon exiting the plane a momentary panic sets in, then I arch and realize I am incredibly stable and controlled in this flight and I begin to look around. Time seems to have stood still to allow this incredible experience to happen. I do my objectives that the jumpmasters have outlined for me and then it is time to open my parachute. Out comes this beautiful, perfectly rectangular parachute that is just incredible. I get to just absorb the world below me as I float safely down towards it. The world just doesn't look quite the same from up there. Trivial things seem to melt away as I explore this new frontier from the air. As I get closer to earth I have to land the parachute so from the radio, my jumpmaster talks me through the landing. . .I get to the ground safely, only having to put a knee down to keep me from tumbling. It was easier to land than I thought it was going to be. This experience has changed me forever. . .I think it is safe to say that I will be back in the sky very soon! Incredible. ________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy

As a single parent, I say you need to fight for your rights. . .but I do understand why you don't want to. Talk to your ex again and tell her if she continues to push this issue of you not seeing the daughter on the holidays then she will be forcing you to seek legal assistance. By the way, you do not need to hire a lawyer to enforce a custody agreement already in place. All you need to do is document the infractions and seek out the district attorney. Trust me, your daughter will know you fought for her and it will be worth the relationship with her in the long run. She is also old enough to know she is being manipulated by her mother. When your daughter is 12, she will be allowed to speak for herself in court. Never give up. . . Darcy ________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy

Missy, you are so right. I have hung out and asked lots of questions at the DZ. Everyone has been very helpful and full of answers. If it wasn't for their friendliness, I probably would not be making my first jump. Darcy ________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy

You better be nice to me then. . .extra attention and all that. . .lol! And Mark, next time I am sitting at the dropzone having a cold one. . .don't wait till I am leaving to say Hi!. . .yeah, don't think I didn't notice. . .lol. ________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy

Thanks, Jackie. . .I will. . . ________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy

Hey MJO. . .are you the one who test jumped that HUGE American Flag at Perris a few weeks ago. My friend and I were there and got video of that. Pretty cool. Say Hi at Elsinore this weekend. I will be doing my AFF level 1 ________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy

Okay, I just booked my level one AFF. I will be jumping this Saturday (the 15th). . .woo hoo, I am really excited, scared, nervous. . .etc. Elsinore. . .here I come! Darcy ________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy

Not getting out of the plane. . .damn it. . . Other than that, nothing really! ________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy

I believe you can fall in love with someone at first sight, but I also am realistic enough to know that lasting love takes time. That instant chemistry where everything is just perfect only carries a relationship so far, then you have to put in some effort if the relationship is worth it. IMHO Darcy ________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy

Okay, so I am new here too and I don't make my first jump until November 22 - It will be AFF Level 1. I am already addicted. I have checked out all the latest gear, I can think of nothing else, I keep reading about the first jump stuff, etc, etc, etc. . . So, at least you have a tandem under your belt as an excuse. . .lol I think it is pretty normal ________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy

They screwed up, they should pay! Clarify with them before shipping. . . ________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy

Approximately 25 minutes to Skydive San Diego or 1 hour to Elsinore or Perris. . .just depends on the weather. . . ________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy

Well, I know the DZ in Elsinore is not that way, I have been there a couple times (I haven't made first jump yet) and everyone has been MORE than friendly to this non-jumper. I will make my first AFF level 1 jump on Nov. 22 so I won't be a non-jumper anymore, but I have nothing but good things to say about the people I have met at Elsinore DZ ________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy

I would just say "oh go jump out of a plane or something". . . Naw, I just don't feel the need to defend. ________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy

IMHO quitting college is not a good thing. Although I must admit I am thinking of taking on a second job to afford what will probably become the most expensive habit I have ever had. Maybe you could still take some classes, just not go full time. After all, you will want to be able to get a better job to afford better gear and fly better. . . ________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy

The sad truth is that if it can be regulated they will find some way to do it. . .Damn, if they start regulating extreme sports because we might get hurt. . . Next thing you know they will tell you you can't wear high heels because you might turn an ankle. . . I HATE GOVERNMENT REGULATION. . .what happened to freedom! ________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy

Yep, just means you are a newbie on the forum. . . Welcome! ________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy

I am with Jim. . .that was absolutely intentional. . .ya burn someone elses clothes, they are going to get hurt. . .LOCK HIM UP. . .he is a menace to society. . . ________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy

Geez, I am glad you guys are not jumping in Cali. . .I am making my first AFF jump in 2 weeks and don't need anyone freaking me out. . .ROFLMAO Too funny though. . . ________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy

Thanks all for the warm welcome. . .Only two more weeks before my first AFF jump. . .I am a little (actually a lot) excited. And to all of those saying they are not addicted. . .who the hell are you trying to convince! Yeah, I haven't even jumped yet and I still go hang out at the dropzone with my jumping friend just to watch. . .I am already addicted and I haven't even jumped out of the damn plane yet. ________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy

Well Shit. . .I am in a high rise here in cali and didn't even feel it. . . Dang, I needed a little shake for the afternoon slump. . . ________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy

Well thanks for the welcome everyone. . .Sorry I haven't updated my profile yet. I guess I would consider Lake Elsinore my home dropzone since that is where I will be doing my AFF and A licensing instruction. I have always wanted to skydive, just never knew anyone who did - now I do. Also, my father was a pilot and always said to me when I expressed interest "why jump out of a perfectly good airplane". I am sure you have all heard that one before. . . Anyway, I look forward to letting you all know how the first jump goes. . . ________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy

Hi, newbie here. New to forum and to the sport. I am doing AFF and A license beginning next month and can hardly wait. . .Just wanted to say Hi! ________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy