Pauline and I paired up and went first up in the tiny King Air plane with no seats. As we felt the vibration of the engine and the propellers through the floor of the plane, we were so nervous as we lifted off! My face went from super excited, to totally regretting my decision. I felt waves of vertigo as I looked out the plane, thinking to myself, "What the hell am I doing?!" As much as I didn't want to go first, my tandem teacher and I crawled over to the edge of the door, and pushed me out on the count of two. The feelings of freefall were just overwhelming. I felt scared, but invigorated, I couldn't breathe, but I could scream. There were baby pellets of sleet hitting my face during our 47 seconds of freefall!
As soon as the chute opened, it was a huge relief knowing that we'd be safely floating down with a wonderful view. Awesome Bruce let me steer the parachute and pointed out the Atlanta skyline, Stone Mountain, and the Athens area from a birds eye view. Once we landed safely on the ground all I felt was just a sense of accomplishment and a pure adrenaline rush!!
It felt like everything just happened so fast. It's kinda like life, that is why you have to be passionate about what you want to fulfill those unforgettable moments! This experience is something you just have to live, and its impossible to really describe it. Never in a million years did I ever think I would do this. But the opportunity came, and its finally checked off the list of my things to do in my life! Our next years fall endeavor: Horseback riding in Napa anyone?
