Fly Like an Eagle- My Skydiving Adventure

The first activity I wanted to talk about is one I am really proud of. 

For much of my life, probably since I first watched the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers jump out of that plane back in 1995, I've wanted to go skydiving. Though most people around me said I was crazy, I was always talking the talk about how one day I would fly like a frickin eagle. And finally, in 2018, the opportunity presented itself. 

Nat, my brother's then-girlfriend (now wife), was talking about how much she wanted to go skydiving but couldn't find anyone to go with her. I said I would, though, honestly, I didn't think we would actually go. You know how sometimes you talk about doing things, but you never actually intend to do them? That was me and skydiving. I wanted to. I told everyone I was going to. But I also wasn't sure I ever actually would. Only, Nat was determined. Little did I know that once I agreed to go, I was locked in.

It was Thanksgiving, as we sat at foldout tables in my grandmama's living room eating way too much food, that the topic came up once again. 'Mal and I are going skydiving,' Nat told everyone. The overall reaction was, as per usual, y'all are crazy. But my cousin Macy, her boyfriend Dave and my friend Lesley all seemed on board and decided that they too wanted to go. More people were in. (Although, Macy and Dave ended up not going.)

Next it was a matter of where and when. We decided to head up into Tennessee to the Chattanooga Skydiving Company, though there were places to go in Georgia. We'd read that the views were great and you could actually see Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama all at the same time. Nat wanted to go around her birthday (in November) so we ended up settling on the first weekend in December. Appointments were booked and we were committed.

The day of, as we were driving up (along with my friend Courtney and brother Dylan), I couldn't help but feel the nerves kicking in. By the time we arrived, I was ready to stop thinking about it and just do it. Unfortunately, once we arrived, we still had to wait for over an hour before it was our turn. They like for you to arrive early to sign in and pick the package you want and then to get a brief tutorial. Now would probably be a good time to mention that this was tandem skydiving, not solo skydiving which I'm sure takes a bit more prep.

Courtney talked me into getting the video package, which I'm now really glad I did. I got some great photos and a beautiful video (below). They had a list of songs to choose from for the video and I chose them perfectly (ha!). 

When it was our turn, they helped us into our harnesses and gave us a rundown of what to expect. We were also introduced to our partners for the jump. Most of the jumpers were going up with every other group (every 30 minutes or so) and did tons of jumps every day. Basically, these people know what they're doing. 

We loaded onto the small rickety looking airplane, with me and my partner going in last. And, in case you haven't already figured it out, that meant we would be the first ones out. Once we got seated in front of our partner, they strapped us together (be ready to get up close and personal with these guys) and the plane took off. They didn't close the door to the plane when we first started going upwards and all I could think was, well if the plane tilts and we fall out the side, hopefully we're high enough to use the parachute. Eventually they lowered the door a bit and I watched the landscape as it grew smaller and smaller below us.

My cameraman kept making jokes and asking me questions, maybe he could tell I was a bit nervous. Although, honestly, I wasn't as nervous in the plane as I had been earlier in the day. Finally, we reached 10,000 feet. As instructed, I scooted, along with my partner, to the edge of the plane and threw my legs over the side. I tucked my head back and legs under the edge of the plane, while my cameraman hung from the side. Once we were ready, he jumped first and then my partner and I sort of rolled forward out of the plane and into the open sky.

Now, I have always imagined what skydiving would feel like. I expected the sensation of falling, like when you go down the first hill on a roller coaster, but I didn't feel that at all. In fact, during the part where we were actually falling, it just felt really windy. You have to wear goggles to protect your eyes and once I was out of the plane I understood why. 

After a bit, he pulled the parachute string and we were propelled upwards. I will say that this was worst part because it was a tad painful on my inner thighs where the harness was. It pulled pretty hard right through the crotch area every time the parachute turned in a new direction, but rather the harness be too tight than too loose I say. At one point, he did loosen my harness which made me a bit nervous, but it was all good.

The views were totally worth it though. He pointed out the other states and mountains in the distance. It was such a nice day that you could see far and wide and I was amazed.

We did have a bit of a rough landing, which I think he blamed me for but I say was on him for telling me to keep my legs up until he said to put them down, which he didn't do until we were already on the ground. We both fell backwards and then got pulled across the grass by the parachute, but camera guy helped us up and the only damage done was my butt got wet. Luckily, I had a change of clothes in the car.

On the truck ride back to our starting point, the three of us discussed the thrill and excitement, all agreeing that we would definitely do it again. Though we then expressed our excitement to Dylan and Courtney, they both seemed content with keeping their feet on the ground.

So all in all, it was such a cool and thrilling adventure and I am so glad I went. Thanks Nat for making me walk the walk! Or fall the fall as it were. ;)

Not really related to skydiving, but the scariest part of the entire day was on the way home that evening when a deer ran into the side of the car. No damage done thankfully!

So if you're thinking about skydiving but you've always been a little nervous, I hope this post encourages you to give it a chance. Trust me, it is totally worth it.