Life Through My Eyes: 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! :)