Snow and Poppies, Sunset and Spring

[Michele 1]

Snow and Poppies, Sunset and Spring

Cora and I drag ourselves to the DZ early enough to get settled before the first plane leaves, and it will be a most gorgeous day - bright blue skies, a little haze around the edges. The lake is shimmering with sunstreaks, greenblue and calm. The foothills are rolling green, the color of spring, and it is, in fact, spring...I can't wait to get into the air, and I am surprised by this....

After retrieving some hairbands from inside my car, I shut the car door with the immediate knowledge that something is really wrong. Patting my pockets and checking the keyholes in my door, I realize I've locked my keys in the car. Oh, great, the shine is off the day...where the heck is my head? I've never done this before...Grasshopper comes to my rescue with his AAA card, and I try to describe to the dispatcher where I am....we realize that it will be a local dispatch and so most likely they will know the dropzone - we hope. They do, and when they arrive, the man has a devil of a time breaking into my Jetta, which is both concerning and reassuring. Gawain comforts me with the offer to drive me back to Burbank to retrieve another set of keys if we can't get in (which means we won't be jumping if that happens), but right then we have success, and the car alarm goes off and we're in! And I still wonder where my head is...

Cora and I decide we are doing a tourist jump. No pressure, more of a spotting thing, higher pull for her, and just getting her wings out into the Elsinore sky. I may not be the best tour guide, I think, but at least I can figure out where we are, and since she has a few more jumps than me, since I don't really do much more than fall, there would be no pressure other than fallrate adjustment. We manifest, gear up, and climb into the plane....it rumbles down the runway, and we look at each other and grin. She is getting nervous, and so'm I...Airweenie is trying hard to make her presence known, but I smack her down, and focus on Cora and getting her oriented. I point out sights from the sky - show her the lake, the foothills robed with spring green, and then I see all this orange massive spreading stuff....and realize the poppies have bloomed. Interspersed with the fields of poppies are magenta flowers, rivers and estuaries, and, as I lift my eyes to the horizon, I see the snow-capped mountains in the distance. I am breathless...the clearness of the air, the softness of springtime, the colors splashed out on the ground by some unknown Artist's hand seizes me and insists I see the beauty of this world, the enormity of it. As the plane circles, I crane my neck to see Catalina Island, and there is a blurring in the distance, a softening of the edges of the hills and I think "I was on that ocean yesterday and here I am in the sky today and how amazing is this and how wonderful" and I look across the cabin and see Cora and grin.....and now back to being a tourguide.

Green light, and we are at the door, but it's time to do a go 'round....so I point and show Cora what to look for, spot the huge X, that's where we're going, do ya see it? Cora doesn't at first, and as I've told the pilot we're going to be a while in the door, there is no pressure. We are last out, it's o.k., I just want her to be familiar with the DZ before we leave. She looks out and around, and then nods vigorously...she sees the X. We are fine for a spot, no problems...climb out, me floating and her on my chest strap, and ready set go and we're out and I'm arching and Cora is doing a handstand on my shoulders....she's vertical and I'm stable...and this is funny. We are laughing as we try to level off, but I am trying to stay stable and so am arching hard, and she is being towed around the sky on her head....I finally shake her grips and let go of her, and she does the same for me, and there is immediate and enormous distance...I lose her into the blue, and catch a heading. I start to turn slowly, looking for her, and look up and back, but can't see her anywhere...and so I try centerpoint turns, and watch the horizon spin...poppies snow sea desert...and then look again for her. It's time to deploy, so I wave off vigorously, and reach and throw and now I am under canopy and am turned in time to watch hers open behind and above me, pink and blue and full, and there we are, playing tag in the spring sky. Landing was long, but safe, and hugs all around....Cora is feeling better and more relaxed, I've done my job, and now it's time to go adventuring.

Viking is there, so Cora and I plot to get him some student gear so he can jump once with her...we finagle it and whip out plastic, and Viking and Cora get ready to make a jump. I am going to jump with Gawain, and he and I are supposed to do a "headjammer exit circle sidebody sidebody." O.K., I have no idea what that is, but as we walk it through, I begin to understand it. It will be interesting, this is the first "two way" without a "coach", and we are turning points...Gawain wants to be on a competitive 4 way, and I just know I will screw it all up and he will be wasting his time. I will funnel it and he will never want to jump with me again and he will tell everyone how horrible I am and no one will want to jump with me and oh shit....and he keeps telling me "there is no spoon" and I have no idea what he means and so I just nod and feel all wonky inside and like there's this balloon in my belly. We walk it through over and over, and I tell him I'm worried about it, and he looks at me. "You're being stupid, Michele. I have no expectations. You'll be fine and we are all about fun"...

Into the plane, airborn, and my legs start twitching and bouncing around. I am sweaty despite the cool spring air, and I am staring out the door, looking for the snow and poppies. I see the rivers and the houses, and start breathing deeply...green light, the folks in front of us leave, and now it's our turn. He climbs out, I get grips, nod, ready set go and I compress the space between us and I am out and free and he's got a surprised look and he's grinning and I am grinning and I love the air and we are leveling off and didn't funnel or even really turn. We get the circle thing, and then release and as I am reaching to regrip I remember that I'm not supposed to reach but lay my legs out so I do and then I can get it and then I let go and we're face to face again and he's still grinning and I am too and we do it again but I have to pull him because I screwed it up but it's o.k. because I get there eventually and we're both still grinning and smiling and now it's time to turn and track and so I do, but I didn't bring my track with me today because it sucks and now it's time to deploy and there it is; bright and full, my canopy blooms over my head and it's playtime...and my landing is onto my knees but it's o.k., I'm not too far from where I said I wanted to land, although I am still struggling for accuracy and stand ups, it's much better and I stand there and look around and think "I just jumped from a plane...I just flew around the sky, and I just had the most amazing fun!!!"...as I get back to the packing area, Gawain shouts "You did great! Excellent exit! Turned 6 points!" and I grin.....yeah, I guess I did! I dance the happy dance...throw my arms around him and kiss his cheek. He blushes, but laughs...this shit is fun, I tell ya!!!

I want to rest, to relax, to quiet my mind...but I promised Steve ("CptnStratton") more than a year ago I'd jump with him, he's here to claim that jump, and we are going to do it. I do get a small break, and then start to work on this with him. It's all about proximity this time. Simple. Yeah, but simple for others, not me, I think. But it will be fun....360's, and redocks, and then a back loop...yikes but wha-hhooooooooooooooooooooo!

Plane time again, but as we're squooshed into the Twin Otter, there seems to be a problem...too many jumpers and not enough plane. We start a roll call, and finally realize that the tandems are not supposed to be there, and an 8 way waiting is. They decide to not change it now, and the 8way kindly takes the next load. There's this guy who is across from me with "Getting Jiggy" on his mudflap, and, as we take off, he hollars "whew! I was getting sick of being on the ground. I almost barfed in your lap" to me, and everyone laughs. And then someone hollars "who's the Rodriguez Brothers" and the whole entire plane, including me, shouts back "Fuck the Rodriguez brothers"....and suddenly I feel like I am not an interloper, not a stranger, but part of this, welcome and understood and included in this thing we do, this defying gravity, this exploration of limits and challenging preconceptions and living outside the box. I am not alone, I am part. I look at Steve, and grin...I knew the answer to the question, for once. I knew something, and the rest I will surely learn...

Green light and I climb out and float, and it's unlinked, and Steve's got the count and he's diving, and read set go and I let go of the plane and grab Steve's grips. Oooopsssssssssss...but we don't funnel, we don't tumble into the stratosphere. We just level off, and we're smiling at each other and I get a circle thing on him, and then let go. He nods, and I try a right 360, slow and not centerpoint, but am able to stop it right on heading. We're far apart, but he drives to me and I try to drive to him, and I am laughing. 360 left, and this is better, faster, and I can feel my leg drop and then the other one drops to stop it and I am startled because I didn't tell my leg to do that it just did it by itself and it was right and I remembered that from the 2-way camp and it worked and here I am back on heading. I am flying mantis, and working fall rate, and now we're back together and I am so surprised that I am doing this my brain gets in the way and I forget what's next and suddenly I am chest high knees low and dropping fast and then I arch and it's o.k again...but wtf was that? And then I flatten out and Steve arches and we're back together and it's time for the back loop....and I bring my knees forward and drop my head back and it's perfect and I open exactly at the right time and slide back into an arch and I haven't gone wonky or wobbled and Steve is exactly where I left him and he gives me a thumbs up and now it's time to turn and track and my track is still missing and now it's deployment time and reach and pull and throw and freeze and there it is, my gift....a whole and open canopy, bright and crisp against the blueness of the day, and I dance, play, celebrate another most fun jump and forget that I'm not supposed to play until I am over the dz and end up kinda far off....and land sliding onto my bottom but who cares and there I sit, amongst the spring, prickerburrs poking my bottom and legs, and I lay back, turn my head and stare into the soul of a tiny purple flower, and quickflash through my mind is the bigness of this world and the smallness of me....and then remember that maybe someone will think I'm hurt if I keep laying here so I scramble to my feet and handle the canopy.

Last jump of the day will be a high altitude hop and pop, with 5 other DZ.commers...Sharkie, Gawain, Cora, Steve, and Chaz1234. We decide exit order, separation and delay, and climb into the plane. How amazing will this be - there will only be one other load after us, and the brightness has already left the day. I will be in the sunset with my friends, and this will be like no other jump...I will be first out because I have a spectre, then Cora is next but I lose track of the rest of the order. I am to face the setting sun until everyone is open, and then it's time to fly....

13,000 and we are at the door. I crouch, look back at my friends, and take a breath....and I am out....count out the delay and reach and throw and open and turn into the sun. I look over my shoulder and see people exiting the plane, and watch the twinkling of metal on harnesses as they catch the rays on exit and see the openings around me and find myself breathless again. I watch the plane circle south, so I face north, and lead a parade of 7 other canopies toward the snowcaps, shimmering golden in the dwindling day, and see the plane backlit against the sun and the mountains below us and the ocean to the west and the darkness to the east and I am at 10,000 feet surrounded by sunset and spring.

There is a blurring in the west, the misty spring evening held back by the mountains that I know will soon be claimed by darkness. As I descend through the shadow play, I see silver shimmering mist and reaching out as if to touch to end of the day are the mountains of Catalina Island. In the softening daylight I see the roughness of the mountain peaks melt, and become indistinct...and I am taken away. I want to fly into the setting sun, to be part of that wholeness, that huge glowing gold resting on the edge of day. I want my friends to come with me and chase the day with me, fly out to the edges of the world, touch the gloaming. We are out over the lake now, and I watch tiny little boats creep silently across the glassy green water, white streaks behind, and wonder if they ever look up, ever wonder, are ever in the sunset like I am now...a speck in the sky, majestic melting sun surrounding me and touching me and holding me aloft, lifting us to the heavens, touching the sky.

Watching for the plane, I turn us east, and see the plane far below. We go back over the dropzone, and as I descend through the layers of the coming night, I feel the air temperature change. Warming up, hardening almost, more "solid". And as I set up for landing, I realize that while there was wind at about 2000 through 1000, there is none below that. And I can't see very well, and there is no-one to watch landing directions. I think hard, and remember that no-wind default here is from the south to the north, and, knowing Cora is following me I am especially cautious...but totally wrong. I don't realize we are downwind until about 50 feet, far too low to turn, and everything is speeding by under my feet and I am zooming along and there wasn't any wind and now there is and oh shit it will be a downwinder and it's fast and I shove my head up my ass, stop thinking and start flaring at about 35 feet....and of course this will hurt so I get my feet together, knees together, and as I touch down into the soft ground I dig my heels in and try to skid but I am not getting any purchase and finally just tuck my chin down, right hand on my face and roll my right shoulder under me and whackthumpsplat ow shit ow tumbleroll feet-helmet-bottom-feet and back up tangled in lines and laughing. And in the silence of the gloaming, I hear birds singing a lullaby to the day, delicate notes and whistles, and I know those are the sounds of the world.

Islandcool is out with a camera, and I dread the blackmail photos that will produce, but I laugh and grin and hug him anyway. Cora has done the same sort of landing, only farther out, and as she comes to us I grab her and hug her and holler my exhilaration. She knows, I can see it in her eyes, she saw what I saw, understood what I understood. Chaz brings out the cart, we clamber on, and are brought back to the packing area in style, laugher and joy and radiant energy.

We get settled for the night, and, starving, Islandcool and Cora and I go get dinner, and then begin the long journey back home, leaving our hearts in the sky.

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[meatmissile 0]

Yes, at times like this it is easy to forget what life is really about.

Thanks!

--
ZZZzzzz....

[jceman 1]

[Applause] Thank you, Michele. That sounds like a fine day; it seems like you are losing contact with your friend Airweenie. Too bad, that will be her loss.[/Applause]

Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money.

Why do they call it "Tourist Season" if we can't shoot them?

[ladyskydiver 0]

Hey, lady!

Thanks for putting your day's jumping in such beautiful words. My version (which will be interesting to see how we may have viewed things differently) will be posted once I get back to WI. It was a total blast jumping with you and everyone else that I jumped with. I can't wait to do it again!

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[Gawain 0]

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and I just know I will screw it all up and he will be wasting his time.

Proved ya wrong!!

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I will funnel it and he will never want to jump with me again and he will tell everyone how horrible I am and no one will want to jump with me

Glad I proved ya wrong on that too!

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and oh shit....and he keeps telling me "there is no spoon" and I have no idea what he means and so I just nod and feel all wonky inside and like there's this balloon in my belly.

"wonky" "weenie" is like that spoon! We did "good" at kicking the hell outta him!

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and he looks at me. "You're being stupid, Michele. I have no expectations. You'll be fine and we are all about fun"...

Honestly, I don't remember saying "stupid" but I do know I gave you some tough love .

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... ready set go and I compress the space between us and I am out and free and he's got a surprised look and he's grinning and I am grinning and I love the air and we are leveling off and didn't funnel or even really turn.

I was NOT surprised at all! That look you saw was me yelling (inside my Z1) "Yeah! Good job!"

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We get the circle thing, and ...

We exited a "Round" then Side-body, Side-body...

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Gawain shouts "You did great! Excellent exit! Turned 6 points!" and I grin.....yeah, I guess I did! I dance the happy dance...throw my arms around him and kiss his cheek. He blushes, but laughs...this shit is fun, I tell ya!!!

See?!~ There is no spoon!

And if you come back, I'll jump with ya again we'll kick the sh*t out of air-weenie again~! Dang right~~

Thanks for the jumps!! The day end high-pull was worth it.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[Islandcool 0]

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Islandcool is out with a camera, and I dread the blackmail photos

I only wish there was more light and I had video. Nice PLF by the way..textbook. So I'm on the grass waiting and I see the "Daughters of the Downwind" approaching. I'm just going what the.... Michele first...I was glad to see she made it ok but I gotta tell you seeing legs and butt in the air on landing is a great sight. Ummm never mind that. Ok then I look up and see Cora and see if she saw that and is going to turn...nope right on in (lemming thing I think)...it was great. No one hurt and lots of dirt! I had my own downwinder earlier that day. On my 3rd jump the winds had changed. Spoiled by the consistent winds in San Diego by the time I realized I was going downwind it was too late. Came in hot hand held a nice swoop (for me). I was like sweet..check me out.. of course didn't hold it long enough and couldn't run it out...big biff daddy. Great fun!

Thanks for the day ladies and gents
Ed

[ladyskydiver 0]

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Ok then I look up and see Cora and see if she saw that and is going to turn...nope right on in (lemming thing I think)...it was great.

Cora, co-founder of the "Daughters of the Downwind", flying a Silhouette 170 loaded at .8 to 1 at 150 ft. in the dusk, realizes it's downwind and chooses to not turn so low, but take the safer option of downwinding. No lemming....active decision.

It was great to meet you, Dimples!

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[Michele 1]

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Thanks for the day ladies and gents

Yes, most definitely a great day!

The folks who came out to play with Cora and I (or at least there even if just serendipitously) were:
RickyResq
Ruffles
Shark (but he works there)
Gawain
Chaz1234
Islandcool (aka "Dimples")CaptnStratton
Viking

That's all I can recall by name, although I met a few lurkers too...and I am still so tired I can't remember what I owe that other beer for, so may have missed one or two of you...forgive me.

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[Viking 0]

lol dimples lol

I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver
My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin

[Islandcool 0]

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No lemming....active decision.

That's what a lemming once told me

Nah just joking but you knew that already. It was a good choice. Now go wash that rig. I'm going to be scrubbing mine all week.

Ed

[Magistr8 0]

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It really makes me wish I didn't have to wait 3 more weeks to start jumping, but I really appreciate such a detailed description of your day.

I only hope.. (tear), that in time.. I will enjoy the finer things in life as you have so beautifuly described

"Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools." Napoleon Bonaparte

[Shark 0]

Hey Michele,

Wow. After reading that, I feel like I was there. Doh! I was! Yeah, that was a pretty good day, but I'm sorry I didn't have much time to chat. I was also a little bummed that I could not participate in all the FUN(nels.) The HAHO was fun, but a little cold. I actually contemplated cutting away for a little freefall time. But yeah, what's up with the downwind thing??! Yep, that was a good start for Spring! I think Cora might end up moving out here. ) Okay, it's late. See ya 'round the dz!

Shark

[Michele 1]

It wasn't that cold - I only had on jeans and two turtlenecks....and hey, my hugs don't count? What's up with that? Geesh...

I feel like announcing to BillV that there are absolutely no worries about downsizing for me at any point in the near future...I can't handle a downwinder just yet! Owie kazowie, I have some interesting bruises and I'm still rather sore...

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that I could not participate in all the FUN(nels.)

Had you been able to jump with me, you would not have had a funnel...I don't recall one I did, let alone "all"... (of course, that was luck, but still....)

But it was a blast....and Meatmissle? You're right - back to basics...

And Jack, I am so looking for the sight of Airweenie's expression as I shut the door firmly in her face...or bottom, as in "don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out..."...

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[grasshopper 0]

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The folks who came out to play with Cora and I (or at least there even if just serendipitously) were:
RickyResq
Ruffles
Shark (but he works there)
Gawain
Chaz1234
Islandcool (aka "Dimples")CaptnStratton
Viking

*cough* *cough*
I don't rate high enough for an (dis)honorable mention? that hurts. I'll forgive you this time, but only because you were kind enough to introduce me to cora

[Pie 0]

What a beautiful post... Thank-you.
Unfortunately Elsinore jealousy has now kicked in.
Counting down to when i can get back to that place
XXX

[Shark 0]

Hey Erica,

Yep, they had a lot of fun there. I say "they" because I wasn't allowed to play since it was a work day for me. But I did have a fun jump, I mean parachute ride with all of them at sunset. Come back to 'Snore and have some fun with us!

Shark

BTW, can I get a copy of that pic??

[Shark 0]

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The folks who came out to play with Cora and I (or at least there even if just serendipitously) were:
RickyResq
Ruffles
Shark (but he works there)
Gawain
Chaz1234
Islandcool (aka "Dimples")CaptnStratton
Viking

*cough* *cough*
I don't rate high enough for an (dis)honorable mention? that hurts. I'll forgive you this time, but only because you were kind enough to introduce me to cora

Uh, Michele? Cora? Who packed for you guys??

[Michele 1]

Hey, gimme a break....I know I had missed someone - and I already apologized.

Tell ya what, I'll mention you again!

RickyResq
Ruffles
Shark (but he works there)
Gawain
Chaz1234
Islandcool (aka "Dimples")CaptnStratton
Viking
The Best Packer I know, drumroll please GRASSHOPPER[/I]!!!

(Sorry, darlin....)

Pie, let me know when you're coming out. Granted, I'm no Cora, but I can still goof around! And I love that pic - that wasn't the sunset I was in, but I can imagine it!

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[Pie 0]

Hey Michele,
Glad you liked the picture - it was taken at the 2nd Chicks rock boogie in Oct - the most amazing skydiving event ever - i met the most beautiful man in the world that weekend at Elsinore - and now he is my beautiful husband ... his beauty far outshines that of any sunset i have ever witnessed.
Hopefully we will get to come play with you guys in Cali. soon
XXX

[ladyskydiver 0]

And, Michele, not only was Grasshopper a sweetheart and packed for us...he did let you use his triple A card to get the keys out of your car.

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[ladyskydiver 0]

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The HAHO was fun, but a little cold.

Cold? Heck, under my jumpsuit, I only had on a T-shirt type material blouse and jeans. LOL Cold!!! Hahahahaha

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[ladyskydiver 0]

Didn't need to wash the rig. Just needed to give it a good brushing. She looks all better and is in her place of honor - the loveseat.

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[Michele 1]

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he did let you use his triple A card to get the keys out of your car. [Wink]

Yes...yes he did...I know I'm wordy, but I did say that...

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Grasshopper comes to my rescue with his AAA card,

And he is a sweetheart, and a dear person, (even if he doesn't want to be known as that). And someday, when I'm far better at controlling fallrate, we have a jump together.

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[hooked 0]

What a fun time you both must have had jumping. Michele, your stories come to life! In reading, it's as if I were there too.

J

--"Some day.....I will fly away".

--------------------------------------
Sometimes we're just being Humans.....But we're always Human Beings.

[Shark 0]

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The HAHO was fun, but a little cold.

Cold? Heck, under my jumpsuit, I only had on a T-shirt type material blouse and jeans. LOL Cold!!! Hahahahaha

Well, ya know.... sharks proliferate much better in warmer climes.