Zach's Thru-hike 2006
Zach's Thru-hike 2006

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

4. In Georgia

Okay, so after a day and a half in the car, I'm in Georgia hanging out with my Aunt Carol and Uncle Robert. It was storming like nuts last night, but today is a beautiful warm and sunny spring day. After a day or two here I'll be dropped off on Springer Mtn. to begin the actual hike, but I'm already on vacation. So, sunday I jumped out of an airplane. I wasn't sure I had it in me, and the ride up was giddy and slightly nausiating, but suddenly we jumped (or, more precisely, rolled out sideways because someone is too friggin' tall) and the plane was GONE. There was wind, clouds, and a beautiful view, and all fear was forgotten. I was amazed. So was my tandem 'instructor', who said if he didn't know better he'd of guesed I'd jumped before. But the height is a surreal thing from up there, and as soon as I'd stopped the initial tumble from the plane all fear was replaced by awe and excitement. I got to steer the chute around and even executed a few whirligig spirals, and then-and this was the coolest-if you yank both steering cords straight down, the vents in the chute close and you are yanked up...to float, almost motionless, suspended in the sky as if hung on an invisible skyhook. It was all over way too fast, and I was left with a taste of wind and adrenaline in my mouth. Unfortunately, having pictures of the event requires a $90 fee to have a cameraman jump with you, so all I have is a few ground pictures and a video of the before and after, including the landing, shot from the ground. As soon as I figure out how to make some jpegs out of the video, I'll post them, but for now, none are available. That is disappointing, but whatever, I was there.

Posted by Tsnake :: 4:59 PM :: 3 Comments:

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---------------oOo---------------




Zach's Thru-hike 2006

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

4. In Georgia

Okay, so after a day and a half in the car, I'm in Georgia hanging out with my Aunt Carol and Uncle Robert. It was storming like nuts last night, but today is a beautiful warm and sunny spring day. After a day or two here I'll be dropped off on Springer Mtn. to begin the actual hike, but I'm already on vacation. So, sunday I jumped out of an airplane. I wasn't sure I had it in me, and the ride up was giddy and slightly nausiating, but suddenly we jumped (or, more precisely, rolled out sideways because someone is too friggin' tall) and the plane was GONE. There was wind, clouds, and a beautiful view, and all fear was forgotten. I was amazed. So was my tandem 'instructor', who said if he didn't know better he'd of guesed I'd jumped before. But the height is a surreal thing from up there, and as soon as I'd stopped the initial tumble from the plane all fear was replaced by awe and excitement. I got to steer the chute around and even executed a few whirligig spirals, and then-and this was the coolest-if you yank both steering cords straight down, the vents in the chute close and you are yanked up...to float, almost motionless, suspended in the sky as if hung on an invisible skyhook. It was all over way too fast, and I was left with a taste of wind and adrenaline in my mouth. Unfortunately, having pictures of the event requires a $90 fee to have a cameraman jump with you, so all I have is a few ground pictures and a video of the before and after, including the landing, shot from the ground. As soon as I figure out how to make some jpegs out of the video, I'll post them, but for now, none are available. That is disappointing, but whatever, I was there.

Posted by Tsnake :: 4:59 PM :: 3 Comments:

Post / Read Comments

---------------oOo---------------