steve1

Now that I'm back jumping, I agree with you that there is little in life that holds my interest like skydiving does. I quit jumping and skiing for almost 25 years though. During those years I kept busy building a log house, hunting and fishing with my family, playing with my horses, going to school, rodeoing (for about four years) and working. Now my priorities are family, jumping, and a little skiing....... Steve1

Sebazz, You gotta quit smoking that stuff, before you go on line. Steve1

My biggest concern is that this area isn't ruined. Alaska is one of the very few places in the world that is relatively pristine wilderness. I've been up the haul road to Dead Horse (almost to Prudoe Bay), and even shot a caribou up there with my bow. Talk about a beautiful area. My family and I canned the meat in a wall tent and then drove back to Montana. You can drive right across the Brooks Range and then see a hundred miles across tundra to other mountain ranges on the North Slope. I'd hate to see this area all roaded up and ruined in the name of greed. But I suppose it's only a matter of time before this happens. Steve1

Great picture! I'm just wondering what year you started. You must have started way back, when men were men and the women were glad of it. Steve1

It sounds like you need a smaller harness. I have a new rig now that is a little too loose in the shoulders and the leg straps have to be tightened all the way up. I don't do a lot of head down flying, but I've been keeping my chest strap extra tight just in case. I probably should get a smaller rig. Steve1

My Hornet opens briskly, and I have been spanked by it a few times. It's fairly new and has the big slider. I started psycho packing to tame the openings, but my neck still hurts from a recent slammer opening (that was psycho-packed). I'm thinking maybe I wasn't slowed down all the way coming out of a track, but I should have been, since I always spend a lot of time waving off. At any rate it has me thinking about what could have gone wrong. I psycho-pack and roll the nose both. Openings are still quite fast, without loosening up all my teeth at pull time. I know this is unusual because most Hornets open fairly soft. I talked to another girl though, who had her Z-1 ripped off her head, from a hard opening under a Hornet. She and her rigger husband tried various ways of packing it, but still had trouble getting it to open softly. They eventually sent it back to Ralph. I like most of my openings, and was even bragging about how much nicer it opened since I started psycho-packing, but this recent hard opening again has me speculating as to what happened. I'm a very neat packer, with tight stows. The slider is all the way up. The first two stows I use a tandem rubber band. Maybe I was still moving too fast, coming out of a track. I'll watch that more closely in the future. Steve1

I made my first jump about 30 years ago and felt a lot of nostalgia reading this article. But I still wouldn't want to go back to those days to skydive. There is so much more you can do now in the sport, (in terms of new challenges.) The gear now is not only safer, but a whole lot more fun than it once was. As far as jumpers are concerned, I don't think they've changed much. They are still the same down to earth folks that you feel close to and depend on if you need help. It's too bad that strangers rip stuff off at times. This is probably less of a problem at smaller DZ's. It seems most drop zones were small in the old days because there weren't that many jumpers back then. I remember waiting all day to to just make a couple jumps out of a Cessna. The relative work was experimental at best, and often downright dangerous. Floating down under a para-commander or 7-TU wasn't all that much fun. I just returned from a big DZ (Eloy), and it seemed like paradise to me. What a rush, being able to get on one big aircraft after another, jumping with tons of experienced quality people, day after day. As far as I'm concerned the good ole days in skydiving aren't gone. They're right now. (And yes, some Commie Pinko Bastard, did steal my red coat, while I was there.)......... Steve1

I didn't realize this has already been discussed extensively. Thanks for the info.....Steve1

I was just reading the article on Mr. Booth's latest invention. There's a lot of folk's out there who are a lot more knowledgeable than I in terms of rigging. I was just wondering what you think. It seems like it would be nice to have on a low cut away situation. I'm just wondering if you pulled your reserve only (without cutting away) or if your cypress fired, would the skyhook release properly (every time)? (I suppose testing would answer this.) Can you see any problems that might occur with this system? Steve1

I don't know where you went, but I want to go next time. Steve1

I love exiting and freefall. Someday I hope to get into flying a hot canopy and enjoy all the challenges that go with it. Right now I'm content to fly my hornet at a little more than 1:1. Watching all the sky gods at Eloy, surfing in on little stillettos, kind of gave me the bug to try that someday. Steve1

Back in the olden days (1960-1970)almost everyone had b-12 snaps. I know they can be a point of failure, but I don't recall anyone ever having trouble with them. The rig I bought back then had quick ejector hardware on leg and chest straps both. I loved them, but I know they are considered way too dangerous by today's standards. We didn't know any better back then. When I started jumping thread through leg straps, I hated them. I'd see some young feller throw his rig on and jump into each leg strap in about two seconds flat, and be ready to go. So I'd try to do the same thing and end up dancing half way across the packing area on one leg, and then almost breaking a hip on the concrete. I finally figured out how to slide the rig down to my elbows and then step into it. Much easier! To tell you the truth, I like them now, and wouldn't want to go back to b-12 hardware.....But I jump with a couple guys who have b-12 fasteners and really like them....Steve1

Perris is truly a cool place. I've been there twice and can't wait to return again. Hope to be there next year, either at Christmas or Easter. Steve1

Another good idea, that I've used, is to let her buy something expensive. Then it's your turn. Owe, the games that people have to play! But then again, new gear is worth it. Steve1

I often use the old safety trick. Tell her you'll be much safer with new gear. Tell her after all your gambling your life everytime you jump old stuff. (even though you may be stretching things). If that doesn't work try whining a lot. I often use the line that I'm an old fart and if I wait till I can afford it, I may be dead. I need to live it up now. I've used all these arguments with some success.......After a month or two of begging and pleading my wife usually gives in.......Steve1

Hey, I've got a Fire-King filing cabinet that's both fire and shock resistant, and it has a whole shit-load of papers in it........Steve1

I think it was a great acting job! Very believable, showing good dramatic effect. I'd give it a three star rating.....I know what an actor is, but what's a thespian? I need another big word to add to my vocabulary...... Steve1

I too have a large supply of post-its. I've been thinking about wallpapering the window on my office door with them. That way noone can see in to check on me. The other day I had been on DZ.com for like an hour straight. I was still giggling from reading a funny post, when I turned around to see this big ugly face peering in throught the window of my door. It was the Superintendent of our school. He was just out micro-managing things, and I don't think he was too impressed with what he saw. I've got to get that window covered soon. Steve1

[ Under my desk are some pieces of pink foam from the packaging of computer boards. I use them as a pillow for power naps. eply] That's a good idea. I used to wake up from a power nap, usually when our principal walked in. Anyhow I'd usually wake up when I heard the door open. Seconds earlier I was slumped over my desk, snoozing, then I'd spring into action and try to look really alert, slamming desk drawers and arranging stuff. The only trouble was I'd have this big red mark on my head where I'd been resting my head on my arm. Often times there would be this long string of spittal running from my mouth to my desk also, as I sat there with this dazed look on my face. At any rate it's good to know that others take power naps also. Having some foam handy would be a great idea for power naps! I've got to get some. I've been thinking also of getting a big cardboard box to put in the back of my office. If you ever come to visity and can't find me, check there. Steve1

You folks have some pretty cool stuff. But wait till I tell you about my paper shredder. Actually it isn't mine, but I get to borrow it occaisionally. It must have at least a five horse motor on it that makes the coolest sounds as it grinds the shit out of secret papers that aren't really even secret. You wouldn't believe the sensations of power and delusions of grandeur you can get by feeding it . It kind of reminds of me of when I was running a chain saw in the woods, when I'd get this wild look in my eye and start swearing up a storm, and then dogging my saw into this big ole pickle of a log. Whew! I almost forgot where I was there for a minute. All I can say, is that you haven't lived until you have fed a whole shit load of papers through a paper shredder. What a rush! Steve1

Thanks for the info. I've got plastic ones now, but will get some steel ones with caps for both my rigs. I would think anyone with less upper body strength should have these, particularly on a high performance canopy. I knew a girl years ago who was barely able to pull her ripcord on a b-12 container. Steve1

a week has gone by my life is flying away thoughts of Eloy burn another year waits and I'll return there to the skies again with friends and airplanes with clear warm blue skies above and beer to be drank paradise it is If only a year goes by I'll be there again Steve1....... (I'm a poet and didn't know it)

I stayed in the bunk-house one night. It wasn't all that bad. Most of the time we were at the Super-8. It was nice, and worth the money. Don't stay at the other motel on the other side of the highway. I think it was called the El Crappo. It might be okay when the finish remodeling, but is definitely not worth the money now. Steve1

Thanks Lori. That's all I needed. Steve1

I was wondering if anyone knew how to contact Mike McGowin. I was trying to order a couple pictures from him. I have the order form, but no address to send it to. He was at Eloy last week. Thanks, Steve1