jdobleman

Another DZ pilot has moved on to other skies. If you ever jumped at Antioch or Byron in the 70's and 80's you probably flew with a little guy wearing a bomber jacket and yellow Taxi driver hat. That was our buddy, Little Bob. Bob has been battling cancer and other illness for the past 2 years and moved on this morning. The family is collecting stories and pictures if anyone has one they'd like to add. Bob Norman on Facebook is one way to pass it on, or [email protected] for his daugher Leslie. madjohn

Wishing him a fast recovery. We have a beer to drink sometime. madjohn Main goals in life: Be on the "Jumpers Over Eighty" (JOE) World Record and attend the Lost Prairie Boogie once after I'm gone.

Glad you're staying on top of this, Bad John. Hope to see you in April. madjohn Main goals in life: Be on the "Jumpers Over Eighty" (JOE) World Record and attend the Lost Prairie Boogie once after I'm gone.

Unless you pulled on the front risers by mistake to flare. madjohn Main goals in life: Be on the "Jumpers Over Eighty" (JOE) World Record and attend the Lost Prairie Boogie once after I'm gone.

I was doing tandems in Lodi at that time, do you remember who your tandem master was? Having done hangliding back in the late 70's, before I started skydiving, the one thing I remember is how much it added to my dreams. I only got to Hang 2 off of Ft. Funston before I bent my modified Rogallo after a stall and crash halfway up the cliff. My skydiving dreams don't last as long. On thing about flying parachutes over hang gliders, we can get out at 12K, next to a cloud tower and fly all around and inside it. There are rainbow canyons and rooms inside some of them. Carving clouds in wingsuits is also pretty cool, it's why I bought one. May have to try paragliding in the future. Proximity flying is a ways off. madjohn Main goals in life: Be on the "Jumpers Over Eighty" (JOE) World Record and attend the Lost Prairie Boogie once after I'm gone.

And you'll be more current than you have been in the past 5? years. madjohn Main goals in life: Be on the "Jumpers Over Eighty" (JOE) World Record and attend the Lost Prairie Boogie once after I'm gone.

Congratulations, Pat. You and Scratch are my role models. I tell new kids that I've been skydiving half my life but it doesn't compare to you, unless you're 100. ( You're not, are you?) Keep it up so I can join you on the JOE record in the future. madjohn Main goals in life: Be on the "Jumpers Over Eighty" (JOE) World Record and attend the Lost Prairie Boogie once after I'm gone.

You've got an Open Accordion, disqualified. madjohn Main goals in life: Be on the "Jumpers Over Eighty" (JOE) World Record and attend the Lost Prairie Boogie once after I'm gone.

Stephanie, definitely. She kicked ass more than the others. madjohn

OK here's the deal. The 2010 Chateau Mad John will avail to the public i.e. skydiving community under the name of ZigMar Zin. So I'm holding a label design contest, winner gets a free case (12 bottles) for use of their design for a year. May renew the contest next year if it goes well. Requirements: the name: Chateau Mad John ZigMar Zin wine: 2010 Zinfandel graphics: the Zig Zag and Marquis 4-way formations. So let's see what our skydiving artists can come up with. madjohn Main goals in life: Be on the "Jumpers Over Eighty" (JOE) World Record and attend the Lost Prairie Boogie once after I'm gone.

A short one from the Quincy Convention when they couldn't spot the C-130 worth a damn, then Roger said he would spot it from the ground. I'm pretty sure I heard Johnny Gates singing it on the way to altitude. I've been searching for the Drop Zone All the live long day. I've been searching for the Drop Zone Fifteen Miles away. Can't you see the Mississippi Flowing down below, Can't you hear the jumper shouting "Which way shall we go?" Roger won't you blow, Roger won't you blow.... madjohn Main goals in life: Be on the "Jumpers Over Eighty" (JOE) World Record and attend the Lost Prairie Boogie once after I'm gone.

It's the one the Cock Chorus always finishes with at Lost Prairie. madjohn Main goals in life: Be on the "Jumpers Over Eighty" (JOE) World Record and attend the Lost Prairie Boogie once after I'm gone.

Love that Right outboard pull. madjohn Main goals in life: Be on the "Jumpers Over Eighty" (JOE) World Record and attend the Lost Prairie Boogie once after I'm gone.

Yep, go get it "old" guys. Like 40's old anymore. madjohn Main goals in life: Be on the "Jumpers Over Eighty" (JOE) World Record and attend the Lost Prairie Boogie once after I'm gone.

I'd always heard that it was a belly band, interesting to hear this new info. madjohn

Glad this worked out, although it was nice to see some new faces for a while. madjohn Main goals in life: Be on the "Jumpers Over Eighty" (JOE) World Record and attend the Lost Prairie Boogie once after I'm gone.

Way to go, Jack. madjohn

Found out today, Chopper jumps are $60. more info at www.bayareaskydiving.com Main goals in life: Be on the "Jumpers Over Eighty" (JOE) World Record and attend the Lost Prairie Boogie once after I'm gone.

I'll post as soon as I know. To cover ferry fees and past practice from this summer, using the Otter from Lodi, airplane jumps will probably be $20. madjohn

Dates: October 15-17 Aircraft: KingAir - Friday, + Otter and Helicopter Saturday Sunday - KingAir and Otter if busy, not sure on the copter. Registration, to cover ferry fee for Otter, not sure how much yet. More to follow. madjohn Main goals in life: Be on the "Jumpers Over Eighty" (JOE) World Record and attend the Lost Prairie Boogie once after I'm gone.

Bob's ashes and spirit were set free today. madjohn

No easy public transit. Rent a car, or wait for someone from this site to offer you a ride. have fun, madjohn Main goals in life: Be on the "Jumpers Over Eighty" (JOE) World Record and attend the Lost Prairie Boogie once after I'm gone.

Later this year, Oct 15-17. More information will be on the website as it becomes available. www.bayareaskydiving.com Main goals in life: Be on the "Jumpers Over Eighty" (JOE) World Record and attend the Lost Prairie Boogie once after I'm gone.

I've known Bob since he started at Antioch, about 30 years now. He was a skydiver in the purist sense of the word. He would come out every 3 or 4 months because he needed to be in the sky. Wasn't interested in turning points, doing big ways, just needed to be 2 1/2 miles above the planet, floating in the sky. Every once in a while I'd ask him to join one of my loads but he'd usually say "I'm not really current, Mad John, and don't want to spoil your load". Once in a while I'd convince him to come with us. He'd usually show up, make a couple of jumps, then leave, didn't hang around. A basic nice guy that just needed to skydive once in a while. Blue Skies, Bob. madjohn

You could also start saving for the Belize Boogie 2011, Lost Prairie South. madjohn Main goals in life: Be on the "Jumpers Over Eighty" (JOE) World Record and attend the Lost Prairie Boogie once after I'm gone.