skydive Utah

I really did go skydiving with Fish, my brother in law at Skydive Utah in Tooele on October 1, 2009. It now feels surreal, like it didn’t really happen. I watched the video that was made of the whole thing and still can’t believe I did this. It was freezing cold, 50 degrees on the ground, since it had snowed the day before. The day was clear and blue and we could see for miles. We landed farther away than we were supposed to, but apparently it happens sometimes. We did land in the airport, though…

I had a hard time breathing when we first jumped. I don’t know if it was because of the cold or because I was hyperventilating that I just jumped. Both Fish and Katie and everyone else said it’s more enjoyable when it’s warmer. I think I want to find out if that’ really true. The whole experience from the time I arrived until I drove away took an hour and a half. I expect we were only in the air for 20 minutes and most of that was on the plane. We took off at a steep incline and were at 13000 feet above the ground in no time at all. Fish kept reassuring me that I was going to be fine, despite the jokes that the parachute should open. I kept thinking on the plane what have I done?? I really don’t remember much of the freefall except that it wasn’t my favorite part. Once the parachute opened, I was better. I honestly wasn’t sure if I could walk after we landed. Shaky legs and all, but I did.

I really was exhilarating and I think I want to try again. Just to see if I pay attention to anything else around me. I apparently didn’t notice another diver next to us during part of the freefall. I saw that during the video. The camera guy, Jeff, tried to spin us, but that was not to my liking. We did a back flip off the airplane as we jumped out. I don’t even remember that. I just saw it on the video. I must have closed my eyes or something.

Amazing, exciting, terrifying and I’m crazy enough that I might want to do it again…