Weekly Update for 5/16/09
There is a tradition in the sport of skydiving, and although I am not
certain of the origin of this tradition, I am very familiar with the
rule of the “first”. Should you declare something as your first – your
first skydive – your first airplane ride – your first anything, no
matter how small, you will very quickly become familiar with this
tradition. For as tradition goes, he who declares a “first” is
responsible for celebrating the occasion with a case of beer. I say all
that to say this. I do not believe there is enough beer in the city of
Festus to pay our dues for this fantastic FIRST weekend at Fly Free
Skydiving!
Saturday morning came and meet us with grey skies, drizzle, and a little
bit of wind. Mother Nature however must have known how badly we wanted,
scratch that, NEEDED to make some skydives, and by 1030AM she was
clearing our skies and inviting us to come and play. Shortly there
after the plane was ready, the sky was blue, and Mark, Jim Smith and
myself were boarding N5172 Delta with pilot in command Dave Saliz to
become the first skydivers dropped over Festus Missouri!
The ride up was full of smiles and anticipation. The excitement of the
beginning of many years of memories and good times ahead was palpable –
it was almost like we had stepped into a movie. The first view of the
airport from the plane is something I will never forget. Looking out
the door and seeing our home felt so natural, like it was just sitting
there waiting to welcome us back. Just a short while after take off our
feet were tip toeing back to Earth and we were officially a drop zone!
With the sky practically begging to be used as our playground, a hanger
full of air hungry skydivers and a whole crew of ground dwellers at the
airport to cheer them on the ensuing loads were turning faster then you
could say “DOOR!”. Now the day seems mostly a blur of getting everyone
acquainted with the view from altitude and the spot for exit and a ton
of good vibes and memories in the making. The crew of people we had out
was unbeatable and I’m pretty confident we can expect all of them to be
out on a regular basis!
Saturday came to a close as the sun began to set and the day of jumping
took its natural course and slowly drifted into a night of Mexican food
and margaritas! We did our best to slowly break in the local Mexican
joint and started the evening out on our best good skydiver behavior…
Then the waiter showed us to our table and it was every man for
himself! They took our loud story telling, table drifting (it’s rude to
not invite everyone in the restaurant to the DZ!) and 15 orders on 15
separate checks like champs!
As the night closed in on us the exhaustion of a day full of non stop
adrenaline and excitement eventually caught up with all of us and we got
some much needed rest. Not long after that Sunday’s blue skies were
shinning and it was time to pack and repeat!
Sunday started with another monumental first load – load one took off
with Tandem Master Mark Cook, Videorgrapher Ashley Cook and Fly Free
Skydivings first tandem student Sahra! The ride to altitude was smooth
and the freefall was picture perfect. Soft landings and a newly born
skydiver were the perfect way to start the day.
With everyone wanting their shot at the open skies the loads were
filling up quick. We managed to squeeze in some time however for our
new family member Terrill to accompany Dave on some loads to drop
jumps. As any skydiver knows, the pilot is crucial to our success and
it’s only natural that we would rope in a couple area pilots to see what
the fuse is all about! By the middle of the day Dave was enjoying some
R&R and letting Terrill have his shot at the yoke. He fits right in
with the gang too – we drug him along for dinners and beverages and he
can not only take the attitude of a group of crazy skydivers but he can
dish it out like one of them also! And, just in case Dave and Terrill
are too busy to help us on one of those impromptu midweek days of
jumping we are thinking about training up Joey next weekend…
All in all this weekend seemed to bring a little something for
everyone. We had Cal and Gary of the goon squad tuning some points,
Twiggy, Jim and Banks free flying, Colleen, Neil, Amanda and Dad keeping
me company in freefall and for the entertainment of the crowed Joe
practicing his downwind landings. Cory kept the rigs packed and several
of the gang familiarized themselves with the DZ with hop and pops.
As the first weekend at the DZ comes to a close the count down begins to
the next weekend full of fun in the sun. Fly Free Skydiving will be
open at 8am Saturday, Sunday and Monday and there is sure to be a good
time had if you join us. The Kula’s (AKA Amanda’s Mom and Dad) will be
out to grill for us and word on the street is some of our friends from
Taylorville will also be out to have some fun. And – after all of the
firsts this last weekend – there should be plenty of beer for after the
sun goes down!
Until next weekend….br />
XXOXO
Ashley Cook – DZO (!!!!!!)
