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| Jonelle and her instructor, Vlad, on the way to altitude |
Well, the day was just about perfect, and Jonelle and I jumped out of a perfectly good airplane together. She wasn't even nervous! Look at this picture of her and Vlad, her instructor, just a few minutes before that door would open. (It's the horizontal striped thing to their right.) I tucked my camera into my jumpsuit just after I took this picture. Vlad had already told me what his count would be like, so that I could climb out and hang on the side of the door while they exited. The video shows how she felt when she experienced freefall for the first time, and take my word for it, she was simply amazed.
I flew in front of them but getting her attention wasn't easy, as she was concentrating on the ground, and what it looked like in freefall. The grin on her face told the story. I know what she was feeling; I well remember the first time I ever stepped into that world: from the time you exit the plane until the canopy opens, it's a different universe. Once the canopy opened, she helped to steer it to the ground, and she and Vlad had a perfect landing.
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| Touchdown! |
I took that picture and then went over to the two of them. She kept using the word "awesome!" over and over, and I realize that there is really no way to convey what the experience is like; words just fail to communicate it. You just gotta do it to know it. I think she will be back, maybe next time with other family members.
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| DJan and Jonelle, skydivers |
She watched as I packed up my parachute, sitting in a chair while she read all the emails and texts that her family sent her. She wanted to make sure everyone knew she was all right and that she really enjoyed it. Her grandson said to her mom, "Is Grandma still alive?" She laughed over and over and continued to text back and forth while I packed.
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| Reassuring her relatives, laughing at their responses |
Why do I think that she might be back? I suspect that when some of her relatives see that video, they might decide to see just what it was that Grandma was looking at when she had that look of ecstasy on her face! Thanks, Jonelle, and Skydive Snohomish, for the great experience!
:-)
LOVE IT! Mercury went direct and you got to make your jump! You ladies look like quite the adventurers. Indy Jones has got zip on you!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! Good for you guys!
ReplyDeletehow very, very amazing! :)
ReplyDeleteYou sure make it look and sound like fun... and awesome!
ReplyDeleteI am so very happy for you both.
ReplyDeleteyay!!!!! that is awesome...you have converted another...smiles...i am glad it went well for her...and that you all got to pull this off before her trip as well...
ReplyDeleteJonelle was certainly calm, cool, and collected for such a big deal first time experience! Hurray for both of you!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for both of you that you were able to do this!
ReplyDeleteYes, the look on her face says it all. It was a great thrill for both of you.
ReplyDeleteAwesome!!
ReplyDeleteOk, seeing the thrill and smiles of someone's first time might have me getting the itch to try it. :)
That had to have been a GREAT feeling. Love that you documented it in photos, and in words here for your friend.
I am still in awe that she did it! And look how happy she is before she jumped!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to her on her first jump, and may she always be happy in whatever she undertakes to do.
You two sound like wonderful friends. Great photos you took, Jan!
Well, congratulations to all!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's just plain wonderful, DJan. Kudos to you, your friend, and her instructor. Glad that everyone had a fine jump.
ReplyDeleteThis brought back memories of my jump last July with my daughter. There are no words to describe the exhilaration of the experience. Jonelle summed it up perfectly - awesome!
ReplyDeleteSo glad it went well for her! She is lucky to have you for a friend! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, wow. How wonderful is that...
ReplyDeleteSo jealous! My fantasy was to jump when I was younger. Not so sure now w/ 2 hip & 1 knee replacement(s). It's the landing...
ReplyDeleteCongrats to both of you. If I only had the nerve ...
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if you had managed to do the dive yet. She looks so relaxed, I can't believe her lack of nerves.
ReplyDeleteWhat an great achievement for Jonelle and what joy for you to be there to share her fun!!
ReplyDeleteOh, wow! she does look so calm before and so happy afterwards! I would have loved to see the video. :)
ReplyDeleteYES it finally happened. Congrats to one cool customer. The smile tells the story.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! You looked so comfortable during the whole experience!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Jonelle. From the smiles I'm guessing you are right that she will be back.
ReplyDeleteThere was a case here in Hawaii where someone trying to get a license for skydiving lost consciousness. They were OK because apparently there is a fail safe that goes off and releases the chute when you've reached a certain height. That's very reassuring. This does sound very exhilarating, DJan. Wow!
ReplyDeleteI went for a drive on my bike and came across a huge ole river turtle today slowly making its way across the highway - now, come on......the highway. OK, small town - not as much traffic, but still traffic. I had my lime green vest on when on the bike, so used that to slow drivers down. Just waved it back and forth to oncoming vehicles and they all slowed down and grinned when they saw the turtle. Yes, the turtle made it to the water he was heading for - not as exciting as Jonelle's jump, but still awesome. Congratulations to her DJan and also read your post about Gene's fishing - what a catch. My DAD was a fisherman, so I know all about the exhilaration of those catches. Have a wonderful day and say hello to Gene - seaworthy men always have a story to tell, right - perhaps you will post one:)
ReplyDeleteShe looks pretty blissed-out to me! I don't know how she could be so relaxed beforehand, but maybe all the delays made her feel like, "Yes! It's finally happening." You're right, she'll be back!
ReplyDeleteI didn't see a video D-Jan? Was I supposed to? However, I did see lots of amazing pictures. Age seems to be no barrier to adventure these days (with a little encouragement). Vlad looks like a good person to be close to!!!
ReplyDeleteAwww way to go, Jonelle! You documented her first jump just perfectly.
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