billvon 2,473 #1 September 16, 2007 When I left for Nationals, it was in the 100's here in San Diego. (Which is rare for here, a mile from the coast.) I'd been checking the weather in Ottawa, hoping for cool and clear, but the forecasts kept saying 80-90F, 80% humidity, and occasional rain. When we arrived it was hot and humid. We made a few practice jumps on Friday, then watched the 4-way competitions on Sat and Sun. Warm again. The 8-way draw was Sunday night, and we spent the night prepping dives in the hangar. Monday dawned cloudy and muggy. We got three jumps off before the weather shut down for good, after getting to the loading area no fewer than eight times. That night, as we had dinner in a restaurant in Ottawa, the rain started. And it rained all night. The next day looked better. From my hotel window I could see the stars when I woke up - but the thermometer on the bank across the street said 38F. 38F?? I guess I had missed the change in the forecast. We got to the DZ wearing all the clothing we brought. None of us had thought to bring cold-weather gear, and so there was a flurry of people looking for long sleeve T-shirts and thermal underwear. Wal-Mart, I found out that night, would be getting that stuff in in just a week or so. That day we made two jumps before the winds shut down the DZ. We finally gave up for good when the gusts hit 35 mph. The next day was a little warmer, and we finished 8-way. The next day was 16-way, which took place on the nicest day of the meet, 70F and dry with moderate winds. We left the DZ on Friday, heading to Chicago to try to get a flight out. That night we went into downtown to walk around. We eventually found ourselves at the bar of the original Pizzeria Uno, talking to a surly bartender about the end of summer and how quickly fall weather had come. I got a pint of the Summer Ale while we talked and the place filled up. Someone else ordered the same beer, and the keg ran out while he was pouring it. He yelled across the bar to get someone to change it. After a lot of grunting and swearing, the keg was changed. But they were out of Summer Ale, and so the guy replaced the tap handle with the handle for the new beer - Octoberfest Ale. And to think I was there for the end of summer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kschilk 0 #2 September 16, 2007 Yeah, it makes more sense to figure the seasons by the "changing of the keg"...as opposed to that silly solstice crap they've been usin'. Beer is always the most accurate unit of measurement, works for everything! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #3 September 16, 2007 dont mention it. i want to finish my license this year. only 1 1/2 month left before the end of season here. or i go that ridicolously expensive place in the south of the country..“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #4 September 17, 2007 Magic hat jinx shows up, and that is the end of my summer. The end of my summer has been a little melancholy. I have good friends who are leaving my normally dz. Change is never easy I guess. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #5 September 17, 2007 Wal-Mart, I found out that night, would be getting that stuff in in just a week or so. Quote Farm & Fleet had 'em! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 1,679 #6 September 17, 2007 Yeah, well it's back to the 80's this week in Chicago.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladydyver 0 #7 September 17, 2007 The end of summer sucks! Esp here as we shut down for the season. Hoping to get 6 more weekends of jumping in but the weather has already starting turning and the first jump on sunday morning - I needed my heavy gloves, wore a hat under my helmet and a neck gator. Hard to believe that 6 weeks ago it was 100 degrees here. On a happier note will be headed to sandiego at the end of october, hitting sebastian in january and down to perris and elsinore in feb. Guess that isn't too bad for a winter schedule. DPH # 2 "I am not sure what you are suppose to do with that, but I don't think it is suppose to flop around like that." ~Skootz~ I have a strong regard for the rules.......doc! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 212 #8 September 17, 2007 Quote Beer is always the most accurate unit of measurement, works for everything! Expecially attractiveness.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jewels 0 #9 September 17, 2007 It's 58 degrees here today (so far) after having a very comfortably warm weekend. The local news station keeps weather info. on their website and the web says that we have a 30% chance of rain today. Funny, it rained all morning. I think they can call it with some certainty now. Anyway, it's definitely changing. I'm mentally somewhere back around June. TPM Sister #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #10 September 17, 2007 Bill, you've inspired me, and I now know how I'm going to spend the end of fall!There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 24 #11 September 17, 2007 QuoteBill, you've inspired me, and I now know how I'm going to spend the end of fall! Drunk?Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladydyver 0 #12 September 17, 2007 I was thinking maybe it was time to brew some beer DPH # 2 "I am not sure what you are suppose to do with that, but I don't think it is suppose to flop around like that." ~Skootz~ I have a strong regard for the rules.......doc! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karenmeal 0 #13 September 17, 2007 Usually I like the end of summer, I've always loved the changing of seasons. Except for this year. Up here in craptastical ol' Seattle we completely skipped the summer season. Counting down till June of 2009 when we can finally move to a place that has more than a week long yearly fling with the sun. I'm bitter about the weather. "Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladydyver 0 #14 September 17, 2007 I understand your pain Karen....not much better on the eastern side of the state....I think summer lasted a whole six weeks for us....with extreme temps (up above 100 degrees).DPH # 2 "I am not sure what you are suppose to do with that, but I don't think it is suppose to flop around like that." ~Skootz~ I have a strong regard for the rules.......doc! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #15 September 17, 2007 QuoteQuoteBill, you've inspired me, and I now know how I'm going to spend the end of fall! Drunk? Is there any other way to spend it? Oh, I know! Drunk in Eloy with Remi!There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 35 #16 September 17, 2007 QuoteI'm bitter about the weather. I'm bitter about the weather too, but in the opposite way. We don't have an end to summer in Florida, it just goes from very hot to not-so-hot, with only a couple weeks of actual chilly weather thrown in there. I'm so tired of shorts and t-shirts, I long to wear a pair of jeans again! The next two months are very depressing for me because everyone else gets a relief from sweating, and all I can look forward to is the day the high temp. is below 85. Blech, I hate Florida! I guess it's all about your perspective, huh?She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rookie120 0 #17 September 17, 2007 Quote Beer is always the most accurate unit of measurement, works for everything! Never thought of that. I just drank my last Summer Ale lastnight. I plan on hittin the Oct Fest tonight for football.If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rookie120 0 #18 September 17, 2007 QuoteThe next day looked better. From my hotel window I could see the stars when I woke up - but the thermometer on the bank across the street said 38F. 38F?? I guess I had missed the change in the forecast. My thermo said 39F this morning. I cannot believe it. They are already getting the De-ice trucks ready at work. I guess it's only a matter of time before that white stuff starts to fly. Time to get the snowboards waxed up and ready to go.If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #19 September 17, 2007 we've had 81.5°F today! YAY!!! summer sucked tough, too much winds.. but at least it mostly rained during the week, so the weekend was good for jumping.. “Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 24 #20 September 17, 2007 I know... We're not even hitting 100 today. Brrrrrr!Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,473 #21 September 17, 2007 >Drunk in Eloy with Remi! Or drunk at the tiki bar with Airspeed, or drunk at Shakers with Adi . . . so many places to drink, so little time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karenmeal 0 #22 September 17, 2007 I don't think I would like Florida weather much either. The only place where I have lived where I didn't complain about the weather was in the mountains of southwestern Virginia. Hot summers with nice rivers and lakes to go play in, beautiful thunderstorms, gorgeous fall colors, a winter with a nice amount of snow and always a chance of a white christmas and a pretty spring. I've learned that the next place that I live has to be one with four distinct seasons. Constant sun or constant rain bore me! "Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kschilk 0 #23 September 17, 2007 Quote Quote I'm bitter about the weather. I'm bitter about the weather too, but in the opposite way. We don't have an end to summer in Florida, it just goes from very hot to not-so-hot, with only a couple weeks of actual chilly weather thrown in there. I'm so tired of shorts and t-shirts, I long to wear a pair of jeans again! The next two months are very depressing for me because everyone else gets a relief from sweating, and all I can look forward to is the day the high temp. is below 85. Blech, I hate Florida! I guess it's all about your perspective, huh? I'm guessing either a hard landing or you didn't quite clear the tail. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 24 #24 September 17, 2007 Quote>Drunk in Eloy with Remi! Or drunk at the tiki bar with Airspeed, or drunk at Shakers with Adi . . . so many places to drink, so little time. Speaking of which... Will you be getting drunk at the Bombshelter this weekend?Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,473 #25 September 17, 2007 >Will you be getting drunk at the Bombshelter this weekend? Probably not! I'll likely be getting drunk on Catalina. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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