Weekly Update for 6/15/09
AWESOME! This weekend at Fly Free Skydiving can pretty much be
summed up in that one little word. However, since I like to write, I’m
going to go ahead and elaborate a little. Every so often you have one
of those weekends where so much cool and exciting stuff goes on that it
almost seems like a blur. As I sit to write this the images of sweet
landings, excited tandems and smiling faces run amuck in my head. I am
already counting down the days until we get to do it again.
The weekend started for us Friday night with some impromptu tandems.
From the day we opened everyone at the DZ has been looking forward to
the day we would throw Blake, one of the local pilots, out of the
airplane. When he was at the airport to greet us Friday afternoon we
knew his time had come. Shortly after our arrival we were on our way to
altitude ready to show Blake what all the fuss is about. Now he can say
he really knows how to fly…
Mike the jumping machine brought his beautiful wife Meggan out to visit
– and as we all know nothing says “I love you honey!” like watching the
sunset together from 10,000 feet! Meggan has an arch out of this world
and is just a natural in the air, it would be a shame to waste all that
talent so I’m thinking we’ll be throwing Meggan out of the airplane more
in the future!
Saturday started early with a group of 5 tandems who I’m pretty sure we
could not have kept on the ground if we tried! Colleen, Colleen,
Lindsey, Bobby and Jerry were instantly in the grove. Those who were in
the beginning of the line up watched the rest of the group make their
jumps with sheer envy! There is no doubt they will be out again, and we
cannot wait!
Who could forget the always amusing and never shy Cal-Mo-Dee was out
introducing yet another future skydiver to the air. Stacey we decided
has more guts then most – she didn’t just make her first skydive – she
made her first skydive with Cal in tow. With all of these new skydivers
taking to the skies I think we are going to need to get a bigger plane
before long!
We wrapped up the working day with Mary who, once again, was such a
natural that Mark hardly had to do anything on her tandem! With a good
adrenaline buzz going we were ready to get some fun jumps in before the
sun went down. I finally got out of the plane without going directly
into an arch and had a pretty decent head down with Mark and the winds
were perfect (by perfect I of course mean nonexistent) and we followed
up some great skydives with some hot landings! As we landed from our
proclaimed ‘sunset load’ we were greeted by Eric who just HAD to get in
a skydive with us or he wasn’t leaving. Alas, it wasn’t much longer
before the plane was headed back up for sunset load part two!
It wasn’t long before the exhaustion of the day started to take its toll
and one by one the crowed dwindled as Saturday faded into Sunday.
Although it didn’t feel like much more then a short nap on the ride to
altitude the gang was well rested and up and at em Sunday morning ready
to pack and repeat!
Sunday was a special day for Dave, who I think we are going to have to
stop referring to as simply Dave The Pilot. For the past 9 years Dave
has watched from the pilot seat of many a jump plane as skydivers take
to the air. This weekend however, Dave finally got in some real flying
time! As if he’d never went a weekend without jumping Dave was back in
the groove turning points! It’s a good think we have Terrill and Ed to
help fly for us because after the grins I saw this weekend on Dave’s
face I think it’s safe to say he’s enjoying his time back in the saddle!
Ray, another airport groupie, also took on the blue skies Sunday. And
who could forget the birthday girl Rachel. Unbeknownst to Rachel her
Dad set up her reservation and brought her to the airport as a
surprise. At first she wasn’t sure what to think once she figured out
why it was she was at the airport, but it wasn’t long and she was
picking out a jumpsuit and we were singing happy birthday to her on the
way to altitude!
Once again, the working jumps slowly lead way to some much needed fun
jumps and we were all playing in the air above Festus. Much like
Saturday’s “last” load we landed and taxied the plane to the hanger only
to find Randy waiting for us with all kinds of hope that we’d get at
least one more load up! Lucky for Ray we are a sucker for anyone in
need of air time and we were gladly putting up a true sunset load.
Not ready to call it a weekend Fly Free Skydiving braved Monday
morning’s storms and anxiously waiting for blue skies to find there way
over! The patience paid off and we were able to get in some Monday
afternoon loads and stretched out the weekend just a little bit
further. We couldn’t call it a weekend however without taking care of
some very important business…. Mike and Cory were in serious need of
being pied!!! Mike made jump number 200 – a super sweet flag jump -WOO
HOO! Congrats on the C license Mike! Cory spent his last weekend with
us before he leaves Wednesday for Basic Training. The way we saw it was
a good ole fashion pie-ing was just the way to say adios to our faithful
packer and devoted camera geek! Cory – thanks for all the slow openings
and don’t forget where home is! We will miss you!!
Without a doubt this weekend was one that reminds you what skydiving is
all about. Being surrounded by family, friends, and the excited,
smiling faces of those freshly hooked students is unbeatable. Seeing
off one good friend and welcoming back another to the air. Running
loads until the sun has truly set because as long as there is daylight,
by golly there will be jumping! This is the type of weekend that makes
you sit back and feel truly proud to be a part of this crazy family!br />
Sounds like it was fun, doesn’t it?? Join us this weekend and we’ll do
it all over again!!
XOXO
Ashley Cook
