jumpjunkie2004

You're welcome Brandon. I learned something very important today. Don't walk normally when you have a broken ankle. If you do, the doctor will not give you any pain killers. He'll recommended three advil, three times a day. That's it. I might need to start acting wimpy. Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

So I go to see an orthopedic guy today. I've had a broken ankle for seven days - I've walked around on it all week without serious pain. There was pain, but I wasn't taking it seriously. He told me I have two fractures. Both of which are not affected by the weigh bearing aspects of walking - good news right? Well, there is a third - "suspicious line" on my x-ray. He said that it might be something that could turn into a fracture if I continue to walk around without a cast. So, he stuck an aircast boot thing on me. Now, my ankle hurts like hell. Grrrrrrr.... Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

I love iTunes. I got to check out most of these songs for free :) Fun! What was on your tandem video? Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

I've already used my favorite songs and I'm trying to put some of my jumps to music and need suggestions. Got any? Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

There is no one to blame but myself. I know that. I'm guilty of not checking the winds. I'm guilty of not knowing my canopy better - I really had no clue that my canopy could pick me up like that. I can attribute some of my situation to lack of experience, but the bottom line is that we are each responsible for ourselves. Do we have a secret broken bones club handshake?

Thanks for your well wishes. It was pretty windy and my canopy was bumpy before I flared. The guy watchin said it was rippling. I never realized that my canopy could pick me up like that. Some of the guys that use high performance canopies at my DZ do it all the time. They just know how to make themselves "pop up". It didn't occur to me that could happen on my Spectre 210. Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

thank god I have a 210 :) I don't need to beat myself up - I have a entire family of whuffos that are taking care of that - they've got it covered :( Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

After having 10 super soft landings six of them stand-ups, on 12/28/05, I broke my left ankle on jump #62. I flared at the right height, but the winds were funky. Instead of setting me down gently, my canopy picked me up and dropped me down pretty hard. Here's what I did wrong: 1. Flared a too hard for the wind conditions. 2. When I started to fall, I think I reached for the ground with my left hand which made me tip over. I didn't keep my toggles even. 3. I didn't check the winds before I went up. 4. I didn't save enough flare. This was my fifth broken ankle - second from skydiving(Jump #7). It is possible that someone less breakable would have escaped this without a trip to the orthopedic guy's office. Hopefully, someone will read this post and will avoid making these same mistakes. Always check the wind speed and direction before you go up. Don't forget to save some flare, and keep both hands at the same level. Be safe :) Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

Thanks Drew :) I will definitely come back to Southern Comfort and I will let you know when I'm headed your way. Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

On the way back from FL, I stopped at a dropzone right on 95 - Exit 33 in North Carolina. It used to be called Parkton, but it's now called Southern Comfort. I did two jumps from the King Air and had a blast. The people were great! A special thanks to Drew for inviting me to do some RW. I wish I could have gone. BTW - my ankle was broken - so I'm glad I stopped after two jumps. I look forward to stopping there again on my next trip to FL. If you are traveling through NC, you should stop by and check it out. It's less than 5 miles off the highway! What a great way to break up the monotony of the drive. Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

BASE jumpers are awesome! Thanks for the help! Johnny - I especially appreciate the rush shipping :) I hope everyone has a great holiday season. Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

Where can I buy one? Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

My friend just started BASE jumping (did his first at Bridge Day). I'd like to get him a DVD or a BASE rig packing class for Christmas. Anyone know where I can get this for him? Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

I agree completely. I'm so glad I did this with my recently purchased used gear instead of something I just spent 6K on! Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

I had on a borrowed jumpsuit :) I was on a freefly jump so I couldn't wear my RW suit. I brought it home, washed it and it came clean with no problem. It took 150 minutes to clean my container. The brush from vacuum worked great! Now - I'm cleaning my canopy. It's going to take me forever! Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

Not swooping yet...only 58 jumps. However, I do need water training. I guess I could volunteer to use my own canopy :) Thanks for your help! Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

My toggles are pretty much caked in mud :( Maybe I can vacuum some of it off once it's dry. Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

On jump 3 yesterday, I was going for the peas - came up short by about 15 feet and landed in the mud instead. My canopy is super dirty, so are my lines, and my toggles - everything was covered with mud. I asked at my DZ and I was told that I could Woolite the canopy and lines. It's a Spectre 210. Has anyone else had this problem? Any suggestions? Just so you can see how stupid I am, I'm attaching a photo of my container. It took me 2 1/2 hours to get it cleaned up. Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

Thanks Arlo! This post was very helpful! Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

I like this guy : ) Always thinking... Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

I love the suggestion to have the pilot "drop" me off there :) Unfortunately, I need to have my car too! Thanks for your help. We anyone be at DeLand on 12/28? Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

Google Maps is sending me some other way....grrr! 1. Head northeast from Flightline Blvd - go 0.1 mi 2. Bear right at Langley Ave - go 0.5 mi 3. Turn left at E International Speedway Blvd - go 0.7 mi 4. Bear right and head toward N Kepler Rd - go 0.0 mi 5. Bear right at N Kepler Rd - go 2.7 mi 6. Turn left at E New York Ave - go 1.9 mi 7. Turn right into the I-4 W entry ramp to Sanford - go 27 mi ... 8. Take the SR-436 exit 92 to Altamonte Spgs/Apopka - go 0.1 mi 9. Bear right onto the ramp to Apopka - go 0.0 mi 10. Bear right at Semoran Blvd - go 6.9 mi 11. Continue on E Main St - go 1.9 mi 12. Turn left into the SR-429 S entry ramp - go 10 mi ... 13. Take exit 22 to Florida's Tpke - go 0.9 mi 14. Merge into Florida's Tpke N - go 3.9 mi 15. Take the SR-50 exit 272 to Winter Garden/Clermont - go 0.3 mi 16. Take the SR-50 W ramp to Clermont - go 0.0 mi 17. Turn left at W Colonial Dr - go 1.5 mi 18. Bear right at SR-50 W - go 5.2 mi 19. Continue on SR-50 - go 2.0 mi 20. Bear right at SR-50 W - go 7.1 mi 21. Bear right at SR-50 - go 20 mi ... 22. Turn left at US-301 - go 3.5 mi 23. Bear right at US-301 S - go 6.0 mi 24. Bear left at US-98-BYP E - go 0.0 mi 25. Bear right at Lakeland Rd - go 1.5 mi 26. Turn left at US-301 S - go 4.4 mi Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

I want to go from DeLand to Z-hills. I've been to both places before, but I've never gone directly from one to the other. Any suggestions? Bear with me...I'm from MD. Thanks! Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

Thanks for the 411! You guys are great! Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

Thanks! Do you know if they are thicker than a regular pair of sweatpants? Right now, I wear silk thermals and a pair of yoga pants. I thought maybe I'd give them a try. Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...