A trip of a lifetime began with the statement, "I want to jump from a plane.  A perfectly good, working and in order plane."  The next thing I knew I found myself at Sky Dive San Diego, standing in front of a woman who said, "Sign the contract here, take the class and we'll get you up there."  It was exciting to contemplate the experience but even more exhilarating to feel and see myself walk those steps.  I met all types of individuals on the way, from all forms of military backgrounds to all sorts of occupations.  The one thing they had in common was a love of the air, the speed and the ride. 

Getting up off the ground wasn't hard, on the contrary, it had me grinning.  Once airborne, as I sat in the front of the plane with my tandem partner, the expert who was going to make sure we arrived on the ground safely, I found that I had let go - of daily concerns, of thoughts, of time, of everything.  

When I was hooked to the harness and we stood at the door looking out at the horizon and down at the ground, I remembered the training - arch your pelvis and tuck your head back.  We rolled out the door, hit our hard arch; stable and horizontal, the drag chute was pulled.  We were airborne.  As we sank through the air, our cheeks wobbled and laughter bubbled, and then it was time and the parachute shot up.  With a hard yank, we were suddenly floating.  

There was a hush like nature was holding her breath.  The sun setting, sinking into the blue ocean, as the sky filled with stars.  The mountains were around us as the faint brushes of orange and yellow tried valiantly to brighten our way.  The lights from Mexico and the city of San Diego were visible as below in the mountains electricity dotted homes into sight.

The dark swallowed the light as dusk turned into night.  We landed, sliding smoothly to a halt on a bare breath of wind.  As I stood I said, "The was one of the most outstanding experiences of my entire life." and to this day I mean it.

Sky Dive San Diego