she's alive!!!

Holy shit. Yes, I jumped out of an airplane today and have lived to tell about it and all I can say is "Wow." Actually the first word out of my mouth as we landed was "amazing" but I think you get the point.

The day started bright and early at 8am when Danny & Christa came to pick me up. Next we were off to City Terrace to pick up Gabriel and finally we were on our way to Perris Valley Skydive. A mere hour and a half later we arrived, bright eyed and bushy tailed. After essentially signing away all our rights we hung out for a little bit until we were called to "gear up." Tom, my instructor, gave me key pieces of information to remember...the one I liked best was "before you leave the plane make sure you're hooked to me." Um, OK, yeah, I'll try to remember that one. Baby, I'm sticking to you like glue from here on out so I don't think that'll be a problem.

The plane ride to 12,500 feet was the longest part of the journey. A few experienced jumpers were with us and left first then it was my turn...the first of our group. We tumbled out of the plane with my videographer, Alex, who proceeded to do fun little tricks with me in the air...thumb wars at 10,000 feet is a first. He let me win. It was extremely loud and my ears were popping and it was difficult to breathe, but then 50 seconds later the parachute was pulled and instantaneously there was silence. And the most amazing view. A few minutes of descent and we were safely on the ground with the rest of the gang following behind.

Somehow through it all I never felt nervous and all the skydivers I met were so nice and had a great sense of humor. Although I guess you have to have a sense of humor considering the major risk factor involved.

The kicker of the day came on the final leg of our drive home when we heard the most appropriate song to sum up the days events. In the words of Pat Benetar from the song titled "Invincible":

"It's a do or die situation
We will be invincible"

Oh yeah, photos are up.

x

Comments

[Lisa]

holy crap! Awesome pics!! Who takes them and how did they get the one looking UP at you?? Very cool stuff - looks like your instructor was more of a camera "ham" than you ;) I'm in next time!