Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Best laid plans versus reality

My plan was to make two days of skydiving here in southern California with the Skills Camp, another day for the SOS Women's Record attempt (Monday), and one day just to have fun in the air with my friends. But what happened instead? Those low clouds happened, making it impossible for me to make any skydives for three days. I have just returned to my hotel room after the third day of being grounded because of clouds like these. Skydivers cannot jump through clouds, because the FAA requires us to be able to see the ground. After one full day of fun (on Saturday), I have spent many hours at the Drop Zone waiting to jump but being unable to, because the clouds never cleared off. Most of the other jumpers had little problem with this, because they are just now beginning a five-day intense period of trying to set the record of the most SOS skydivers in a formation. Last year it was 60; this year they are trying for 72. I, however, will travel home tomorrow.
Sandra pointing to herself 30 years ago on a women-only skydive
Every time we try to set a new record, an old one will fall. Sandra, one of the women on my record last Saturday, is pointing to herself in a 15-way formation of women skydivers set around 1980. She was on our record of having six women over sixty make a complete formation, plus transitioning to another formation (called a point). This broke eight records, believe it or not. It's because we're OLD, you realize.
This is me receiving my JOS certificate (which I need to fill out and submit). Since I turned seventy last December, it makes me eligible to be in an elite category known as Jumpers Over Seventy (JOS). We will attempt to make a record of the most JOS together, but right now the number is 15, so I will need to travel to some places where JOS skydivers congregate. This tells me I will need to return to this same spot in a year, and make some new records with my colleagues.
At breakfast in the hotel, I saw that Sandra is getting a lesson from Fred, and I was struck by the fact that more and more often I see Macs being the laptop of choice. This post is being written on a MacBook Air, my favorite piece of equipment ever. I love my iPhone, but the Air is in a category of its own. We were optimistic that we would jump today, but... I hung out at the Drop Zone from 10:00am until 3:00pm, when it became evident that it would not happen again today.
I hung out most of the morning with Scotty and Louise Gallan and their two Scottie pups (not even a year old brothers). We went for a four-mile walk while waiting for the weather to clear so we could jump together, but it was just not to be. I did get a really nice walk in, however, and in the morning I will be heading back to the airport to return my rental car and start the long journey back home to Bellingham. I only got to make four skydives in four days, but I am REALLY glad we got that first day!

All told, I would do it all again, even if just for those four jumps. Hanging out with my peers has been exceptionally rewarding, and I'm already thinking about next year...
:-)

22 comments:

  1. i'm sorry about the weather intruding on your plans! but i'm glad you still enjoyed the companionship and even fit in a good walk. :)

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  2. Awww, that sucks big time. So sorry. But at least you did get some new material for your blog! Lol.

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  3. Sorry that you were not able to participate in the experience of a life time, but you also have to be prepared as weather is not under your control. You did learn some thins and are optimistic of your future.

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  4. The weather hampered further jumps, but it didn't dampen the fun and fellowship that you had with your friends, and I am so glad about that!
    You look marvelous. There is no way you look 70. If you didn't tell anyone, no one would ever guess, and I'm not just saying that.
    Have a safe trip back to Bellingham.
    Congratulations on your JOS certificate. I'm proud of you.
    Hugs,
    J.

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  5. Sounds like you had a fabulous time in spite of the clouds.

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  6. Darn..but you are returning home safe and sound..JOS..you rock! :)

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  7. I'm always amazed at your positive outlook. You truly make lemonade out of lemons.

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  8. I'm sorry that the weather interfered with your plans but it sure sounds like the company was good. You do have a way of looking on the bright side of things so I'm sure you feel a tad disappointed but happy for the experience as it was.

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  9. Sorry those clouds got in the way of some record breaking jumps. At least you got to hang around with lot of great folks. Have a safe trip home DJan.

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  10. I am so sorry about the clouds, but thrilled that you got your first day in.
    Travel home safely - and I am already sending positive wishes for next year.

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  11. You really are insatiable D-Jan. Have a safe trip home :)

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  12. Darn! Such a pity about that weather DJan! But it's great to hear you've enjoyed yourself anyways, and got to participate in breaking a record! :o)

    Bon voyage home!

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  13. Well unfortunately, the weather n clouds hampered your jump, however, you met and walked with some really nice people n pets - there's always something positive that comes out of your challenges DJan - that's just who you are :) Safe journey home.

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  14. Aw, so sorry Mom Nature had an attitude and you couldn't make the jump. However you are now an official JOS and you got to hang with some really neat people.

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  15. Oh — Boo, Hiss. Clouds got in your way. Having planned on several days of fun, you missed out on all of that (or almost all). Sorry that happened; I know how much you like jumping out of perfectly good airplanes. Next year, perhaps?

    Blessings and Bear hugs!
    Bears Noting

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  16. What a shame about the cloudy weather. Congratulations for making it to that elite JOS group! You are just so amazing, DJan! I do love your purple jumpsuit.

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  17. Your post reminds me of that saying, "Don't cry because it's over, Smile because it happened..."

    So glad you had Saturday!!

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  18. What a bummer. I can't imagine the disappointment. At least some consolation in the 8 records you have broken.

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  19. Most disappointing. Maybe you should consider duck hunting in Minnesota. The more fog,rain, wind, cold and generally miserable it is the more ducks head south from Canada right over me shivering in my duck blind... quack quack quack. We it used to be something like that anyway...;)

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  20. Despite the clouds, it sounds like it was a successful and fun trip! That's saying something, right?

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  21. Magnificent. Although, you've given me yet another reason to love our cloud cover. I feel safe.

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  22. All in all - awesome.
    The weather seems to have a way about it these days..
    It's been snowing sideways all day here, all week really.. this week makes for the 3rd & 4th canceled baseball games of the season for our older boys.. without any hope to a first game day.
    Still - they're getting lots of practice, and there is always the fun they're having with friends, as you said.

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