Sunday, July 29, 2012

Another fantastic Saturday

Kevin, me, Elaine, Linny, Christy
Well, it didn't look like I would be able to go skydiving yesterday after all, as the weather was cloudy and not projected to clear in Snohomish until 3:00 or 4:00pm or even later, so I went on my usual Saturday morning walk. We hustled along on a 6.2-mile walk at a brisk pace. I then called the Drop Zone to see if the forecast had changed at all, if there were any predictions for it to clear earlier.

It was Pilot Appreciation Day, and one where all the groups at the Drop Zone would do "Linny jumps," which are some of Linny's signature skydives. I decided to drive the more than 75 miles south to Snohomish and give my contribution to the bake sale designed to benefit the pilots. At least I could get some socializing in.

By the time I got there, at noon, there were quite a few blue spots among the clouds, and we all got excited about the possibility of getting in a jump or two. As I've said before, we cannot jump through clouds, but we can jump if there are clouds around us. We need to still see the ground and know we will miss them. So off we went, the five of us, and made a successful jump, even though the clouds closed back in and we had to spend hours on the ground in hopes of making another jump. The plane, filled with jumpers that went up after us, spent some time flying around looking for a hole, but the jumpers eventually came back down with the plane. You end up paying for having made a skydive, even though you don't actually go. I've done it in the past, but I'm glad I didn't have to yesterday.

Anyway, after awhile the clouds did clear out, and around 4:30 we made another skydive, a very successful one. As I was packing up afterwards, Tyson (the DZO, Drop Zone Owner) sidled up to me and asked if I was up for another one. (I usually leave no later than 5:00pm because of the long drive north.) Tyson said that Kevin would go for another one if I would, so I agreed. I think he said the same thing to Kevin. No matter, we all went up again for what turned out to be the best skydive of the day, and I quickly gathered up my unpacked parachute and gear and headed home.

5-way spider
I made three "Linny" skydives yesterday. To describe what we did on the last jump, it will take a bit of explanation, but I'll try. Those handles you see on our jumpsuits are called grippers, and they give us something to hold onto when we make a formation in freefall. We made six different formations on that jump before it was time to separate and open our parachutes. It is called a "rotating spider" skydive. The person who is in the center to begin with has a person holding onto each arm and one on each leg, making a "spider" formation. When complete, the next formation is a different person in the center and each person takes a different grip. We rotate so each person goes into the center and you have to remember where you are supposed to be on each formation. It's a bit of a brain teaser, but it worked perfectly, so we were all totally excited when we landed, full of smiles.

Linny told me about a jump that she and Christy made last week after I left, which I found really interesting. An older man who had been sitting around all day introduced himself to Linny and asked if he could jump with them. Not knowing anything about him, how experienced he is or whether or not he could actually do it, she grilled him a bit. He calls himself the Colonel. He probably weighs twice what Linny does, but they went up and made a simply wonderful three-way skydive.

It turns out that the Colonel lives in an RV camper and is traveling around the country making skydives. His wife of 32 years recently died of cancer, and he is going around from place to place. He was heading up to Lost Prairie after his short visit at Snohomish. He also jumped at each Drop Zone in Oregon and Washington, on his way to Montana. Linny said that he hands out a card to each person he jumps with, and I want to share it with you.
He calls himself the Colonel and doesn't give any other name. He's got somewhere around 1,200 skydives and Linny said he is incredibly aware and talented in freefall. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to meet him and jump with him, but who knows what tomorrow might bring? You meet some pretty interesting people hanging around Drop Zones.
:-)

22 comments:

  1. what a guy he sounds like. quiet, unassuming, 'anonymous'. i'm glad he's continuing to jump - maybe it's helping with his grief.

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  2. The Colonel was at SkyDance a month or two back. I didn't get to meet him, but he left a major impression on those who did. His stories were apparently quite fascinating!

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  3. Wow! That is so fantastic. What an amazing feeling that must be to free fall. Not for me, but I do like living vicariously.

    The colonel seems to be working his way through his grief in a very original way. You certainly do meet interesting people.

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  4. Good thing you're flexible about how you spend your days. You would have missed the jumps otherwise.

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  5. Sorry his wife died, but the Colonel has done a lot of living. Kudos to him. I like the idea of skydiving around the country. What a neat way to meet kindred folks.

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  6. You have some interesting posts and I always enjoy checking in on you, but this is a favorite. I love the way you live life. Cheers!

    What, no garden photos today?? How are the squash plants coming along?

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  7. You cram so much into your days. Never a dull moment - in fact you never seem to have a sit down moment. really interesting to read about the sky dive and how you do the group dives.

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  8. What a fantastic chap, I'm sure he is missing his wife, but continues to love life.

    I thought of you, when I watched the opening ceremony of the Olympics, the Queen jumping out of the helicopter bit...
    What a lovely Saturday you've shared !
    ~Jo

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  9. Wow…that is pretty cool on doing the formation djan…that is taking it up a notch when you do the formations…I guess there is no danger as long as you all break apart before opening right?

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  10. It's really good to have something that you can rally get excited about.
    Good description of the jump.

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  11. It sounds like you made the right decision to drive down to Snohomish. The "Linny" skydives must take a lot of concentration from all involved but I'll bet it's fun.

    The Colonel sounds like a very interesting man.

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  12. Glad you had so much fun, on what started looking like an "un-fun" day. You certainly cannot jump through the clouds; you cannot jump at all if you are not at the zone. Good of your to call, and then take your chances.

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  13. How amazing. I am truly happy for you, and awe-filled as well.

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  14. I am so glad that you showed the graphic and explained what you're doing up there. Again, I so admire your umpf and living life to the fullest extent. You are truly inspirational.

    The Colonel's card is very well stated if you ask me, and tends to gear towards us all!!!

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  15. A mystery man! That just adds to what is already such an exciting habit.

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  16. Dear DJan, thanks for introducing us to the Colonel who sounds like an intriguing person.

    I really like that lavender/purple jumpsuit of yours. That's the color of royalty of course and so I think of you as queen of the skies.

    You said that the last jump was "the best skydive of the day." I"m wondering what makes for a "best." Whether that's because of the formation the group does or the conditions or the breeze or what. Maybe in one of your posting you could explain that to all of us who know nothing about this wonderful sport of yours. Peace.

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  17. yes, interesting people, like YOU!

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  18. Love the information in your blog about skydiving. I have (had) no idea about that sport at all, but I am beginning to learn as I read your blog.
    Regarding the grippers...Well, there would be "grippers" on my sky dive suit, too...but they would be for ME!! Jumpin' Jehosephat! I can't imagine jumping out of a plane like you do. I'm very impressed. The only formation I would have would be inside my suit...and it would be a skid mark, I'm sure (pardon the graphic analogy...but it's da truth!!) :)))
    Keep on keepin' on, Jan. You are truly an inspiration!!!
    Hugs,
    J.

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  19. So glad I found this blog, I'd just been reading the other one. sounds like you had a wonderful time. I always wanted to learn how to fly the planes rather than jump out of them!

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  20. What an exciting life you live. It is always interesting to read about your adventures. I nominate you for the most active senior of the year award.

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  21. Actually it was me. I always disguise myself before skyjumping...:)

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  22. Interesting card..I bet you would have enjoyed talking with him. Maybe next time! Your description was great of the spider jump..If I were to ever jump out of an airplane I am sure I would scream and close my eyes..and then die:(

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