Today I did something that scared the living daylgihts out of me. Well it will scare the you know what out of a lot of people. Today I jumped out of a plane. Pinch me as I still do not believe I jumped out of the plane. Ok, I will be honest here, pushed out of a plane. As I let my tandem partner push me out of the plane.
Since my friend Tiffany from work agreed to do this earlier in the week while we chatted during break time, I decided it was time to take it seriously. We talked about this over the last few months but never pulled the trigger. She wanted to go right before I went to South Africa. Then time ran out.
As we were sitting in the break room I said, “Well if we don’t book it now we will never do it.” A few minutes later she booked us for Thursday as we were both off that day.
As luck would have it for Northern California particularly on the coast, the weather was beautiful for Monterey. Partly cloudy, not too chilly, we drove the hour plus down the coast from Santa Clara and were the first to arrive. We looked at each other and said, “I guess we are doing this?” We joked as we were both nervous. Forms followed by a few videos and they were gearing us up to go up.
120 mph towards earth
Yes I was nervous. I never let myself think of what was about to happen. I just focused on other thoughts like my travel. Even though, I met my tandem partner and even though he introduced himself, I cannot remember his name but only that he was from Brazil. He explained that he has been jumping for a while and welcomed me to his office.
Here we went, it was time! We headed for the plane, no backing out now. My excited partner went first. A plane full of skydivers and Tiffany and I were some of the few jumping for the first time. The electric excitement, their energy was felt. It gave me little comfort because really, I’m getting ready to jump out of a plane. Granted this is something I have wanted to do for a while, it is just something I never thought I would actually do.
Can not believe I did this!
His accent was beautiful as my partner pointed out different landmarks, Here is Santa Cruz, there is Campbell. The sun was out, it was getting warmer.
Ten minutes into it, we reached altitude and the door opened. Up in the air, in the plane and the door opened! Even more excited the energy builds as the other skydivers high five each other and whoo hoos are shouted!
The ground looks so far away!
Tiffany headed to the door first. Oh God! Here we go! There was really no way to back out at that point. (technically you still could, at that point) I was really doing this! I saw Tiffany hit the door and seconds later out the airplane. Then I thought O ok! A few thoughts of panic slipped in and I quickly pushed them out as I neared the door. They say you should not look down and look up when you exit the plane. Not me, I looked straight down. I saw my feet hit the edge and how tiny and small the ground looked below. Probably one of those images I would never forget.
Falling. Everyone claims they like this part, the falling at 120 mph towards earth. Even typing that makes my stomach turn a bit. I may be An Adventure Chic but not Xena the Warrior Princess. Free falling is not my thing. It was all of 90 seconds mostly because it was hard to breath.
When the chute opened it was beautiful. Finally a sense of release came and started screaming that I could not believe I just jumped out of an airplane. The view was spectacular. The ocean and green landscape below could not be beat.
The landing was uneventful.
In my exit interview, they asked if I would do it again. I said yes in the video, but now, that I had some time, it would depend on several things. I am not sure if I will do it again but glad I got to check it off my list.
Beautiful California Coastline