Yes . . . I finally can check off my to do list skydiving! Zach and I were blessed with the opportunity to go, and we took it. I can't wait to share the experience with my family and friends. I could not wait to get there. It seemed like forever to drive just 25min to Skydive Oregon.
I was so excited and ready to jump from that plane, that not one ounce of fear lived inside me. We listen to the very brief class, and headed out o suit up. I was jumping with Ty, and Zach with Sean. The gear was surprisingly comfortable and I even wondered if it was tight enough. We had matching cone-head helmets and see through goggles that would leave semi-permanent marks on our faces. In the distance I heard the roar of the planes engine sneaking up closer and closer to us. We filed in one at a time, and as we loaded my instructed whispered we’re going first! My heart leaped for joy! The plane was small and we had to strattle a small bench , and to our right was a huge open door with a see-through pull down cover that looked like a garage door. As the plane took off I glanced down and saw that my kids were just pulling into the facility, and would be able to see us jump.
We were climbing and climbing upward, and what seemed like forever, until Ty leaned in and said we were getting close. It was at this point I understood why the gear was a little loose. He told me to scoot back into him as close as I could, and then he maneuvered the equipment and locked us together. He then tightened the gear so tight I thought my airway was going to close up. Surprisingly it was tight but at the same time re-assuring. I remember thinking, “I can’t believe I’m not scared, freaking out, or nervous. “ I was just excited to jump out of a plane!!! The green light went off and the first solo diver did a backward summersault out of the plane. This was like watching one of those skydive moments in a movie but just right in front of your face, and I was so excited I yelled out “HOLY CRAP, THAT WAS SO COOL!” This made everyone chuckle.
So my camera guy, TY, and myself edged towards the edge of the plane. Camera guy was actually on the outside of the plane clinging to the side of it while I sat on the edge with my feet hanging out over 13,000 feet. What a wondrous sight! I was so inspired by the view, I almost forgot that I was there to do something. Next thing I know I feel tap, tap, tap, and then I remember chin up, arch my back and then we went! The first thing that hits you is the incredible force of the wind. You think it’s windy with the windows down going 55 on the freeway, that ain’t nothing! It is loud , forceful, and biting cold. You have to breathe through your mouth, because with every breath you take in the air is forcibly pushed in to your lungs with intense coldness. I remember feeling in a state of total surrealism. I was falling to the ground at over a 120mph, and I just couldn’t stop looking at the scenery. It was an out of body experience that I wish could have lasted forever. I was flying! The camera man gave me a thumbs up, and I remember Zach teasing me that my mouth would be full of wind and I would have a scary face, so I felt the need to indulge him. So I opened my mouth to let the wind blow up my cheeks and stuck out my tongue for the camera.
Next thing I know I see the camera man give a signal, and back away, and then we shot straight up into the air! Like out of a gun, BAM! Now I always wondered about this part of skydiving. Would it hurt when the chute opened . . . Not at all! It’s like a ride at Disneyland, you just shoot straight up with a little tug. My absolute favorite part came next . . . As soon as we started to slow down, there was a very brief moment when you are just absolutely still. It’s as if your standing on a cloud at 5000 feet in the air. Your environment goes from total loudness, to total and complete silence. I was in awe of that moment. I thought of my Dad, and much he would want to have seen and experience this.
On the rest of the way down Ty let me pull on the cords to help steer us to the ground, and at one point the spun us in circles! When we started to get close to the ground he took over the steering, and a couple of times as he went left or right to line us up, I could feel the G force on my body with every adjustment. Soon it was time and I hear “OK Amy, feet up”. I help my feet up, and watched as the ground came closer and closer, faster and faster until I felt his feet slide across the grass, an next my butt sliding right with him. Ahhhhh . . . .Touchdown! I will never forget this day , as long as I live!
