Weekly Update for 6/20/09
Hot, Hot, Hot!!! The theme for this weekend was sizzling heat! The
best part about the steamy temperatures on the ground was how it made
freefall and canopy rides feel just that much better. I've never been
happier to be under canopy at 5,000 feet - it was the best break from
the heat imaginable!
We had tandems out bright and early (as is becoming the trend) Saturday
morning and the whole DZ was buzzing with excitement. Meghan, and Kelly
brought out Ismail to take on the skies. I have to say shooting his
video was one of the highlights of my weekend, they had a whole
pre-scripted Armageddon type of intro planned and were really just a fun
group to have out with us. I’d say I hope we see them again but there
is absolutely no doubt in my mind these guys will come back for more!
We also welcomed Ted back into the air this weekend! Mike and Ted made
a nice refresher coach jump and in a matter of a couple hours Ted had
the wind back beneath his wings and was back in the groove. Another
natural - we are excited to welcome Ted into the family – his canopy
piloting is impressive and accurate and we are all looking forward to
having him out to play!
Fly Free Skydiving was also graced by the presence of Regional Director
Gary Peek this past Saturday. Gary was out enjoying the cool temps
above Festus and hanging out with the gang. It was our pleasure to have
you out with us Gary, we hope to see you again in the not so distant
future! Maybe next time you can stay (awake) a little bit longer…
As the sun made its way down the heat and running around of the day
brought the majority of us down with it. We got to bed later then we
should of but it was worth the night of good company and funny stories.
As the night faded eventually so did we and the night drifted into
Sunday morning – time for more fun in the sun!
Sunday’s theme – Happy Fathers Day!!! Mark’s son Josh came up from
Florida in a surprise visit! He brought along with him his girlfriend
Synthia and Mark’s niece Elisia. Mark was more then happy to throw Josh
and Elisia both out of the plane and they didn’t put up a fight at all!
Hook, line and sinker – they will be out in a couple more weeks for
more! That means they have a longer commute to the DZ then any of us,
but what is a mere 10 hours for a little freefall?!
After this weekend Mark and I are contemplating putting on a canopy
course out at the DZ!! We are being reminded that as the temperatures
rise and the winds go down the performance of the canopies also tends to
change some! We anticipate we will have Sparky back off the radio and
flying his canopy all by himself in no time! Warning, the following
photos are graphic, but no skydivers were (really, all that badly) hurt
in the making!!!
An unbelievably gigantic thank you to Megan Toombs for being so
wonderful too us Sunday! She came by to wish her hard workin hubby Mike
a happy Fathers Day and brought along with her fruit, sandwiches, chips,
punch and HOME MADE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES! Mike – a few more meals
like that and your fall right should begin to increase quite nicely!!!
And Mike - a huge thanks to you for packing your butt off this weekend
and helping us keep up the pace - you are such a huge asset to the DZ!
We have some upcoming events and reminders… This Saturday is the Foghat
concert to support the airport. The concert location has been moved
from the airport to the Herculaneum Fair Grounds. Thus – we will be
open Friday evening, Sat, Sun and Mon this week. The dates for the AFF
instructor course and the IAD course are quickly approaching. The IAD
course will be held 7/10-7/12 followed by the AFF course 7/13-7/19. We
will be holding an AFF course Saturday July 17th starting at 9am – are
you hearing this Dana – it’s your queue girl – you need to come out and
jump with us July 17th!!
Just a couple more days and we get to do it all over again… Come join
us for a break from the heat at 10000 feet! See you all at the DZ,
until next time…
XOXO
Ashley Cook
