I went Skydiving Today! :D

Well all I can say is that that was one of THE most AWESOME experiences I've ever encountered. It is such a rush and simply takes your breath away (both with the initial tumble and the outstanding view). :D

I can honestly say that I was more nervous on my wedding day than jumping out of plane. *laughs*

The second my feet hit the ground I wanted to go back up and do it all over again.

Our jump was scheduled for 2 p.m. but it could fall earlier (if you get there early enough) or later. In our case, it was the latter. Not sure what the delay was, but it was okay. A lot of Andy's family was there so we had company and enjoyed chatting with the instructors.

We got there at 1:30 and moments after we arrived we saw two jumpers floating in. Soon after 4 more came in. It was great seeing it in action. There were two more groups ahead of Dale (Andy's cousin) and I. After them, at 3:30, Dale suited up and had a successful jump.

Then it was my turn. I was given a flightsuit, put into the harness, and I went through the routine with Ed, the jump master I was going to tandem with. Brian was the video/photographer and very funny. At 4:30, we boarded the plane and off we went. It's a 20 minute ride to get up to 10,000 feet. As the plane climbed, I still wasn't nervous. Just so very excited.

At 8,000 feet, we got into position and hooked up the harnesses. 9,500 we opened the door.

10,000... go time!! Brian exited first, holding onto the wing strut, to take photos and video. Then seconds after Brian let go, Ed and I rolled out of the plane.

Such a thrill!

I'd definitely go again.

And what you've all been waiting for... the photos. :)


Suiting up
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...3/ecee2489.jpg

Pose with the hubby
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...e/ecee68f0.jpg

The plane
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...e/ecee68c7.jpg

A jaunty wave
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...7/ecee68b9.jpg

Boarding the plane
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...5/ecee5b07.jpg

View from the plane
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...3/ecee58c4.jpg

Getting ready
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...e/ecee571a.jpg

The door opens
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...b/ecee4fc9.jpg

More in the next post!

Stepping out
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...d/ecee4b04.jpg

Freefall!
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...5/ecee4979.jpg

Soaring above Detroit
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...2/ecee47a2.jpg

Woohoo!!
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...0/ecee3ee6.jpg

Coming in for a landing
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...f/ecee3a84.jpg

Tada!
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...d/ecee3805.jpg

Thumbs up
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...3/ecee3575.jpg

After getting home, Andy and I treated ourselves to a celebration dinner of steak at Texas Roadhouse. :D Mmmm!!

Whoa Ramanth, I have dial-up, a real slow one at that!!! so, it would take me , ohhh, perhaps 20 years to see your pictures!!!!!!!


You just did one awesome thing, in my opinion!!!!


That is wild stuff girl!!!!!!!

Great pictures.:) I'm glad that you enjoyed yourself. I would never be able to do this. I'm way too chicken.:)

Wow....I am waaay too chicken to do that!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ramanth

and simply takes your breath away ...

... Ed and I rolled out of the plane.

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http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/eek.gif
http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/eek.gif

Oh Kimmy!
And I always thought you were such a level-headed girl! http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/rolleyes.gif

What were they REALLY thinking??

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...3/ecee2489.jpg


Her: "Gosh, he suddenly looks WAAAY too 'Serious'!"
Him: "I always wonder - WHY to folks DO this?"


More 'Thoughts' ...

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...e/ecee68f0.jpg

Him: "DARN! Shudda bought more Life Insurance!"
Her: "Why's he 'SMILIN' so much!? ... And - HEY - HE's not suited up!"


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If Kia and the KatKids had known about this caper ...
Would THEY have approved?

Glad you had *Phunn* ... http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/rolleyes.gif
(Have you resumed *breathing* yet?)

http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/biggrin.gif

OMG!! ARE YOU KIDDING!!

Just looking at the pictures makes me want to panic and hide under my desk!!

You are soooooooooooooo very brave!! *shudders*

Cool pictures!!! Who took them? and did Andy not jump with you??

and i *loled* at the "ta da" picture!! it is sooo funny with you standing there and that huge parachute behind you!! :)

That's AWESOME! I have always wanted to skydive...hehe, someday, someday. Great pictures!! :D

WOW!!! That is so awesome!! I've always admired anyone that can do that. :) Didn't Andy want to join you? ;)

OMG, you are SOOOOOO brave!!! I am far to "chicken" to risk that :eek:

http://users.pandora.be/bernardgabri...atulations.bmp to you!!!

Oh my goodness! How utterly amazing! I love freefall rides at the amusement parks, though I doubt I'd ever be able to experience an actual freefall like you did!

You can tell you had a fabulous time - the look on your face is priceless! The photos are breathtaking over Detroit and you'll have them to cherish forever.

That is so AWSOME!!! I so whant to that!! My hubby was a Paratrooper for the army, so he ha done it a million times! We have been making palns to go together, someday! You ROCK Girl!!!!!

Thats so freaking AWSOME!

Wow you had a good day lol.

The one where your in the air looks so funny the guys cheeks are like flying off his face lol. :p :D

To answer the questions....

Andy didn't jump. He's afraid of heights.

Kia was there and didn't seem to have any problem with mom getting on the airplane. So long as someone was there to rub her belly. *laughs*

She was a hit with the staff and instructors.

The photography was done by a guy named Brian. He had a helmet with both a video camera and a digital camera monted to it. I'm trying to see if I can get clips of the video loaded to Youtube. :)

When you jump you experience about 40 seconds of freefall travelling at about 198 mph. wheeeee!!!! Then it's a 10 minute canopy ride to the ground below.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Sara luves her Tinky=Just looking at the pictures makes me want to panic and hide under my desk!!

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Exactly what I was thinking. :eek:
Ah Kimmy, it looks like you had a great time. :D I am so glad that you got a chance to try it. And I am not surprised at all that our beautiful Kia was able to charm everyone there, and get belly rubs.

Aw, seeing your pictures makes me want to do it again! I only got to go twice, but, I spent the weeks after each dive staring up at the sky! ;) It stunk being "stuck" on the ground after that. That's awesome that you did it, congratulations! (The main difference in my story and yours is that I really was scared to death when I jumped, I'm terrified of heights!)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by finn's mom

(The main difference in my story and yours is that I really was scared to death when I jumped, I'm terrified of heights!)

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They say it's a great way to get over your fear! Did you find that they were right? Are you still afraid of heights?

Great pics.

But, I think you must have struck your head recently! :eek: :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ramanth

it's a 10 minute canopy ride to the ground below.

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I'm suprized to learn it took that long to float down. That would have been nice - long enough to enjoy it! :)

I would like to think I am brave enough to try that, Kimmy, but I'm not sure! LOL!!!!! :o

I think the pictures are terrific!!!!! :) So glad you had such fun!!!

Logan

Are you crazy!? ;) :p

So cool! You look so happy and excited in the pictures. I love it! I'm so glad you shared this journey with us. Was this something that you have always wanted to do?

Wow Kimmy. What a neat thing to do. :D I've often thought about it, but
my fear of heights wins out. I wish I knew someone who believes jumping
helped them overcome the fear. I just love this picture. Look like you feel
terrific. :D

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...d/ecee3805.jpg

Yes Robin, it's something I've always wanted to do.

I guess I just always assumed it would be too expensive and that I'd want to go with a friend or group, just didn't have anyone who would!

Then at my wedding reception Dale asked Andy who said no way but told him to ask me. I totally jumped at the opportunity. :D

Great pictures! What a brave woman you are. I dont think I could ever do that. I imagine it does give you quite a rush. :D

Good for you! Where are the pics of Andy jumping? :p I'm way too chicken to try something like that - I get the heebie-jeebies in a high-rise building!

Wow!

So cool! I've always wanted to do that! :)

Those pictures are amazing, it's SO cool that you actually jumped out of a plane. I really would consider doing that, with someone else of course. How cool! I loved the pictures of you in the air. Do you fly down fast?

Freefall feels fast because it's just that...a fall. But once the chute opens, it doesn't feel fast at all.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ramanth

I totally jumped at the opportunity. :D

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I would have too! That's something I've always wanted to do too but can't find a soul to go with me! If you can do it alone...so can I:D

Thanks so much for sharing this with us Kimmy...so COOL!

:eek: OMG!!! What a wild rush that must've been!!! Great pictures Kimmy!!

(((((HUGS)))))

Wow, that must have been exhilirating! Looks like fun if you are brave enough (which I'm not). Cool pictures!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DJFyrewolf36

Wow....I am waaay too chicken to do that!

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Same here! Im deathly afraid of hieghts lol......but it looks like you had a blast! What a thrill!

I never knew you were such a wild woman! I would've had to have brought a change of underwear, if ya know what I mean.

I've always thought it was something I'd like to try, but then again I'm not so sure!

WOOOOO- HOOOOOOO!
I bow at your feet! :D You actually look "happier" than in your wedding photos, Kimmy! ;) What fabulous photos, definitely have to get yourself some 8x10's! I would have been standing on the ground next to Andy, though. No way would I do that, but I did enjoy "watching" you!

Wow, that must have been fantastic - such a rush! :D Years ago, I would have wanted to, but now I wouldn't dare.

Glad you did it!

W :eek:W! Being the scaredy cat that I am I could never do that but I commend you on your bravery! ;) I worked with a girl years ago who was a dental hygienist. One of her patients was a pilot and they started dating. After several months of dating she decided to try his hobby - - sky diving. She brought pictures into work, just like yours, and I have to say she did look happy (rather than scared to death like I would have) in those pictures. They eventually married. I wonder if they are still skydiving these days as I have lost touch over the years as we both no longer work there.

I have mixed emotions about doing something so scary. We had a beloved weatherman here in Philly (Jim O'Brien) and he lost his life years ago skydiving. To this day if you say the name Jim O'Brien in the Philadelphia/South Jersey/Delaware areas you will hear people express fond memories about him, and everyone remembers the sadness surrounding his death. He made the weather so interesting and fun. :) I guess if we worried about everything we'd never leave the house. Also, if ex-President Bush (the father) can do it at his age, why not you! ;) Congrats Kimmy! :cool: