Saturday, August 17, 2013

Finalize Bucket List

1. Skydiving in the rain 1 1/2. Skydiving in the sunshine to get that experience as well
2. Zip Line, not sure where though researching for best one
3. Hot Air Balloon Ride
4. Easter Island
5. Mt. Rainer
6. San Francisco/Golden Gate Bridge
7. Disney World/University Studios
8. Cabelas Store
9. Visit Each Continent (Japan, China, Mexico done)
10. Riding/Camping at Sand Dunes
11. Ocean Shores
12. Shooting
13. Leavenworth
14. Date Night at Drive in Movie
15. Volunteer in Another Country like I did in China
16. Motor Cross
17. Take a Dirt Road up the Mountain to see the Sunset and See the View of PA/Sequim
18. Take Train to Whitefish, Montana/Ski
19. Broadway Show
20. Seahawks Game
21. Greece
22. Horseback Riding through a trail
23. Drive a Truck
24. Alaska
25. Nashville
26. Visit My Host Family in NC with Ashley Sofie
27. National Parks/Monuments, Still Figuring Out Which Ones, would like to take an RV with someone and camp/site see
  • Craters of the Moon, Boise
  • Yellowstone National Park
28. Miniature Golf with my cousins
29. Go Kart Riding
30. Paint Balling
31. Nerf Gun War with a group of friends :)
32. Rodeo
33. Horse Races
34. Try Archery
35. Float The River

Skydiving!!!

Darrel, Joel and I

On August 14, 2013 my dad and brother-in-law Joel went skydiving through an event that Olympic Winery in Port Angeles was hosting. The company that is based in Shelton, Skydive Kapowsin (http://www.skydivekapowsin.com), brought their plane and parachutes. I have to say that I never thought that I would actually be experiencing jumping out of the plane, it felt surreal and more of an idea that I wanted to do it. I was not nervous and it didn't feel like it was really going to happen until four o'clock that day. My co-workers would ask me if I was nervous yet and always gave them the same answer, no not yet or doesn't feel real yet.
We arrived at Olympic Winery around 4:30 pm and since the weather was not the greatest, clouds were lowering and it started to rain, they had asked if we still wanted to jump. We looked at each other and said, "Hell yeah, let's do this!". They warned us that since it was raining we might get a "facial" from it, but that is not different than sailing in strong winds in the rain or skiing in snow and wind. They also warned us because the clouds were lowering that we wouldn't be able to go the 13000 feet that we would normally but would get as high as they could. They thought that we could push it to at least 11000 feet. That was good enough for me!
After signing paperwork and wavers we started to get prepped for the jump, hats and goggles that fit and strapping on the harness. It was then that the knots started to form in my stomach with nerves. I had no idea what to expect and how I would react, but I guess that was all part of the experience, right? We all loaded up in a shuttle and headed to a small air strip in Sequim. As we drove there were were told that we needed to be a banana shape when we jump out so our legs stayed in between are partners legs during the free fall and to keep our arms in (holding on to straps on the harness) until we were tapped on the shoulders that we can put are arms out. I thought to myself, how am I going to remember to do that when I'm falling out of a plane? I'm going to have to remember to breath!
Thumbs up and ready to go!
On the plane ride up my partner, Ryan, explained to me that once we are half way we will be putting on the hats and he will have me sit in between his legs so he could strap on to me. Then he would tap my shoulders to tell me to put the goggles on and then we inch our way to the door to get ready to jump. East right? Haha, not really with that wind roaring through you couldn't even stay on your feet and not steady at all especially being attached to another body. As we inched are way to the door, I kept thinking how is this going to work? I guess Ryan was able to be stable and me on the other hand was frozen and not sure what I should be doing. Then all the sudden he is rocking back and forth and that was the signal it was going to happen.
Getting on the plane!
Joel and his partner!
Dad pumped up!
Smiling because I'm too nervous to think straight!
Yep, I'm ready! haha
Joel is beyond ready, he had his hat on before everyone else!
Then...BAM! Out we go and the rain is pelleting my face like hail and the wind was taking my breath away. I had to yell yahoo just to get my body to breath! Ryan pointed to me the camera man so I looked down and tried to smile but the wind made it hard and my cheeks just flapped. It was AMAZING even if it was raining, it added to the experience. Once the chute was pulled and we made our way back to the Winery you could see the water and such. If it was not cloudy we would have been able to see the mountains as well.
There goes Dad!
See ya Joel!
Oh I guess we are gggooooiiiiinnnnnggggg
And we are free falling and trying to remember to breath!
It was an adrenaline rush! It was a great memory and experience and I recommend anyone who is not afraid of heights to try it! My dad and Joel already signed up for another adventure with Kapowsin to become certified so they can jump alone! So, number one is now crossed off on the list but I am splitting it in two, skydive in the rain...check! Skydive in the sun...still need to accomplish! :)
I had no idea what direction I was facing
Yes laugh all you want at my face :)
Think I was trying to smile for the camera haha
Falling, falling and falling
The landing...
And we slide to a stop, can you see our butt marks?
We did it!! Thanks Ryan!!
We are wet but on a adrenaline high!