Gut check — A time to test your will power, courage, fortitude, etc. Rarely does it involve any physical strength or skill, instead being an almost entirely mental challenge.
Skydiving in Colorado? Talk about a complete 180 turn from my NYC life 2 years ago.
Like to think it was all my idea, but gotta give credit to Annmarie who peer-pressured me & John into buying into a Living Social (Groupon) deal a couple of months earlier. Annmarie sent the link, John purchased – and 2 days later I manned up & then we were 3.
After another solid week of winter weather, met up with my 2 Denver-based friends under sunny skies & temps in the 50’s.
Out of the Blue Skydiving is located in Penrose, approx 45 minutes west of Colorado Springs. After watching a 15-minute training video, we signed waivers, weighed in, suited up and met our tandem partners. Took a few group photos, then loaded onto a truck for the short trip to our plane. Unfortunately, a solo parachutist (her 3rd time) dropped from the sky & landed hard, damaging 2 vertebrae in her lower spine. We waited for an ambulance & sheriff to attend to the accident (yeah, immediately before we were to jump). Back on the truck, we roll toward the plane. My video guy Rusty films another outtake & off we go.
Ok now my stomach is churning – tinged with both excitement & fear. JD (my tandem partner) continues to engage me in conversation. I try but my eyes are fixed, staring out the window. Mind is racing – gonna take a mammoth-sized gut check. JD shows his wrist altimeter – 2,000 feet more climb left. More talk. JD assures me I’m now attached to him by 4 links. Snug, tight – this is gonna happen soon.
Door opens & life pace speeds 10x. Sound of air rushes in. Loud. 4 parachutists are sucked out of the opening. Never saw these guys jump – folks are exiting both frontwards and backwards. I can’t think. Life is happening to me. Move up, move up. I scoot forward on the bench. Annmarie is at the door with her partner Andrew. Like a pro she falls forward and plunges out of the plane. This girl has no fear – true superstar. Move up, move up. I grab for the bar and awkwardly push my feet out the plane.
Wait. Wait. What am I doing? The wind is crazy loud. Hold on, I need to think. The human body has a strong, instinctual survival mode. That said, it’s the most empowering feeling to turn off your mind & best that fear.
Cross your arms, head back and thrust forward with your hips – thrust outward into open space.
So what were you thinking? Were you scared?
Life is happening to you, it’s all so fast. HUGE adrenalin rush, free falling. Amazing, faith-building, leap of courage – must be how eagles feel. Soaring with air currents. Flash of mountain scapes beside me, no they’re below me. Excitement, joy – but absolutely zero fear. I’m flying, the wind pushing around me.
Parachute opens, we abruptly shoot upward – and it (the adrenalin fix) ends. Everything is now crazy quiet. We’re floating. I’m aware of where I am, how high I am. My mind turns back on.
JD asks about my ride & if I want to spin – experiencing a full 360 Colorado panorama. Pikes Peak. How crazy is that?
Feet up, soon we’re landing. Quick turn into the air field. Down, down. Dust flies. Textbook landing.
Heart’s still racing. I watch John land across the field & spot Annmarie right of me. YES! AMAAAAZING!
Group hug-it-out moment, walk back to the office & discard gear. Pics, signed certificates & last minute goodbyes to our tandem guides. One of the most exhilarating, life changing moments in my life. I will not forget this day or the folks I shared this day.
Change takes courage. Say no mas to your day-to-day drag. Wish I had had the courage to live simply sooner. We get so hung up on what we’re supposedly to have, supposedly to do – that we miss opportunities to LIVE.
Lunch at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. 5-star ending to a 5-star day. LOVE LOVE LOVE my Colorado life!
WATCH my YouTube Video ‘Skydiving in Colorado!’
Jealous! That has long been on my list (always wanted to do it in Moab) but a certain somebody strongly discourages me from doing it. Looked like you had a blast… good for you! Great post.
Crazy amazing life adventure. Gotta do it man. It’ll change ya.