Skydiving through MY eyes

Well, here it is. My first blog post. I don't even know how to write a blog...

I was trying to think of a good first topic to write about and remembered Brad had written a post a while back about our skydiving adventure before we got married. Let's turn back the tables of time and see how that day really went down.

For Brad's account, click here

April 28th, 2012

8:30am We are on our way to Canyonlands airport and I already feel like I'm going to be sick. This is going to be a long, long day. I mask my fear by making small talk with Brad because, let's be real, I'm supposed to be the "cool girlfriend."

9:00am We finally arrive and Paul, the owner, walks in and hands us our release forms. My hand shakes as I sign my life away. This seemed like a much better idea a month ago when we were discussing this safely on the ground.

9:23am Paul comes back to fetch us and leads us to the hangar. I am pretty much a mute by now because my nerves block me from talking. As Paul tries to make conversation, I give nervous laughs and leave the talking up to Brad.

Their conversation goes something like this:

Paul- “So how did you hear about us?”

Brad- “We bought the deal on Groupon.”

Paul-“Oh you saw us online? Did you see our reviews?  They are TERRIBLE! Everyone seems to hate us! I don’t know why.”

This doesn't make me feel the least bit better.

9:25am While this conversation is going on, I'm looking around for escape routes. Unfortunately for me, it seems that the only way out of this place is up. 

9:27am We finally reach the hangar and see a group of people standing there waiting to jump. I have two thoughts: 1) I hope they've already jumped because I'd really like to get this over with and 2) If those few girls can do it, I CAN DO IT!

9:28am Brad and I sit tight for our "sky diving training" video. I'm all eyes and ears because paying attention to this video could potentially save my life! But, it's really weird because after about 5 minutes of the video, it looks a lot like people just jumping out of planes. With no instruction at all. Oh wait, that's because that's exactly what this video is.  Brad and I exchange confused looks and I suddenly feel more sick than I did a half hour ago. 

10:00am We're just waiting around in the hangar for our turn. We sense some commotion and quickly walk outside to see what's going on. At first I think my eyes are failing me, but quickly realize that no, my eyes are just fine and that really is a parachute falling to the ground with no one attached to it. The staff who are in the hangar explain to all of us that the jumpers had to do a "cutaway" which, naturally, is when the first parachute doesn't deploy properly and you have to use the reserve chute. 

10:20am The jeep finally arrives with the jumpers who had to do the cutaway because they landed a few miles from where they were supposed to. Now, we get the full story. Alec, the instructor, explained that their first chute didn't deploy correctly, so they started spinning and he had to release the chute and deploy the backup. 

10:25am About this time, I'm thinking to myself. "You've got to be kidding me. THIS is the very first jump I witness?"

10:26am However, my fears are quickly worsened by the comforting words of another staff member to all of us awaiting jumpers. "Don't worry about that. This is sky diving. S*** happens." (Looking back, this seems a lot funnier than it did at the time.)

10:35am The "plane" finally returns from this first jump. Actually, I'm not even sure I'd call it a plane. This thing looks more like a few metal pieces held together by duct tape. Now, I'm really starting to question my sanity and that of my "then" boyfriend's. 

If you can't tell from my facial expression, my thoughts were somewhere along the lines of "you've. got. to. be. kidding. me."

10:35am-1:45pm During this time, I've probably said about 10 words total to Brad because I am so nervous. I knew I would be scared jumping out of a plane, but waiting in anticipation for 4 1/2 hours makes it SO MUCH WORSE. 

1:45pm It's finally our turn to get ready. The time has come! I feel like a robot just going through the motions and am pretty much numb to the core now. But, this is it. I'm all suited up and ready to go. I have never been more scared in my entire life. 

1:55pm We take some pictures and Paul films us for the video I ordered. I try to look cool and relaxed for the camera but my body is feeling the exact opposite.

2:02pm It's time. My entire body is shaking right about now. And, each step I take closer to the plane makes me sort of want to cry. Before we get in, Alec, Brad's instructor, gives us the most instruction we've received all day. "Put your feet over the edge and hold on to your harness." Umm....that's it?!

2:03pm Paul (the crazy owner) walks over and it looks like I'll be jumping with him. I'm desperately wanting more instruction by this point. I mean, I AM about to throw myself out of a plane, so something more than just "hold on" would be helpful. But, the only other word of advice I get from Paul is "hold on and arch your back." Then he instructs Alec and Brad to get in first. Now, I really want to cry because that means I'M jumping out first. I look over my shoulder again for a place to run to.

2:05pm The next thing I know, I'm squeezing in next to Brad who has the biggest smile on his face. For a split second I almost get excited by the fact that I'm about to skydive, but that irrational thought quickly gets swiped away as I come back to the reality of the situation. 

2:06-2:20pm We're climbing higher and higher in the sky and Paul can tell I am petrified. He tries to calm my nerves by pointing out landmarks, and I reluctantly look out the window and just notice how high we are and fail to see any landmarks. The plane ride up is really jerky and I have never felt so nauseated before. The only thing comforting me is Brad holding my hand while I squeeze the life out of his. (foreshadowing?)

2:20pm It's getting really close to my turn to jump. Paul is filming me and I'm trying to look less scared than I am. Then, he starts attaching the harness while I'm saying about my 15th prayer of the day. 

2:21pm The plane door opens and I feel a huge gust of wind blow in to the plane. The first thing I do is grab on to the driver's seat, but then I feel Paul's hand yanking mine off the seat. Even though they told me just a second before to not hold on to anything, that was my first instinct as soon as the door opened. 

2:22pm I'm told to hang my feet over the edge of the plane, and that's exactly what I do. All I feel is the wind coming at me from every angle and I have no idea how I got to this point. I can honestly say I have never been so scared in my life.

2:23pm I hear Paul counting down from 3 and BOOM we're gone and I'm suddenly flying. It is the biggest adrenaline rush I have ever experienced in my life; I'm waiting for the butterflies to come, but they never do. There really aren't any words to describe the feeling other than surreal. Before I know it, the chute is deployed and we're safely coasting over Moab. I can finally enjoy the scenery Paul was referring to earlier. Paul whips out the camera again and films me steering the parachute. The only thing I keep saying is "This is so surreal!"

2:26pm We're getting near our landing spot and I suddenly get nervous again. I turn back to Paul and yell "What do I do?!" His response is, "Lift up your legs!" So, I immediately obey and before I know it, we're zeroing in on the ground. All seems to go well until Paul yells, "start running." He didn't give me enough warning apparently, because my run was more like a tiny trot and he ended up falling over me once we landed on the ground. But, I have never been so happy to be safely on the ground in my life. I almost want to kiss the dirt. 

2:29pm We get ourselves untangled and I remember Brad was right behind me and should be landing soon. I turn and look up towards the sky and see he and Alec floating through the air on their way down. I feel total relief. After I see them safely land on the ground, I am the happiest girl alive.

We did it!!!