#6- Go Skydiving

In the plane with Aaron.

I will say that #6 on my list had been something I had wanted to do since high school.  There is something about the idea of soaring through the air as if flying that fascinates me.  It appeared in my dreams at times (me flying, not me skydiving) and every time I imagine it I feel a sense of freedom and joy.  I don't know when I equated soaring and flying with skydiving that involves free-falling and hoping a parachute will open on time, but I did and I got it in my mind that it was something I really wanted to do.  I know, crazy, but true.  So, for my 29th birthday I decided that it was time to just get it over with.  As much as I wanted to do it, I was also terrified of it.  I actually have a fear of heights that was confirmed on my trip to Crater Lake climbing on narrow paths up Wizard Island and jumping off of rocks into the lake to swim, so jumping out of a plane is definitely out of my comfort zone.  People I talked to who had been skydiving said it was absolutely terrifying until they were floating to the earth and then they would have jumped right back in the plane to do it again...that was enough for me.  I let Aaron know that I was planning on signing up to go and he, being the amazing friend that he is, said if I did it, he would do it.  So, that is how the two of us ended up filling out a half-hour worth of paperwork claiming we wouldn't sue anyone, taking a 20 minute course on proper body position and landing (as well as emergency procedures) and eventually jumping out of a plane at 13,000 feet to celebrate my 29th birthday (strapped very closely to a tandem instructor).
I must say, I was freaked out by the idea of jumping out and free-falling to the earth for almost a full minute, but that may have been my favorite part.  Once you become oriented to the fact that you are falling, there is a rush as you speed through the air at 120mph.  And the jumping out was made easy when going tandem because I didn't really do much.  I was sitting down on the edge of the plane and Archie pretty much just said "ready, set, go" and pushed from behind.  No time to think about it even.  Since proper body position entails looking up over your shoulder, you aren't even looking at the ground.  Then, about a minute in, you slow from 120mph to 10mph when the parachute lovingly opens above you.  My least favorite part?  Spinning in circles on the way down with the parachute to decrease altitude faster, but overall it was a great experience.  I could go on and on about the adrenaline rush, the awesome feeling of falling, the chance to soar above the earth, the ridiculous out-of-control feeling when making turns with a parachute, the mix of fear and safety I felt coming in for the landing and more, but I will just say WOW! and leave it at that.  And yes, we both paid a pretty penny to have pictures documenting our little adventure, so enjoy!

Pre-jump photo op.

13,000 feet above Mollala and dropping fast!

Yes, I did have fun!

Parachute opening.

Coming in for landing.

Safely on the ground with my tandem instructor, Archie.

For those who are curious...I might be tempted to do it again, especially if it weren't so expensive!

*10 down, 20 to go...

The "30 before 30"

1. Visit Crater Lake

2. “Run” a half-marathon

3. Visit Multnomah Falls

4. Visit Newport Aquarium

5. Visit the Oregon Sea Lion Caves

6. Go skydiving

7. Swim with dolphins

8. Run Hood to Coast- This one might have to come a week or two after my 30th birthday since I am not on a team this year...

9. Hike part of the Pacific Crest Trail

10. Rock climb at Smith Rock

11. Try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing

12. Finish my Masters Degree 

13. Climb the Astoria Column

14. Visit Mt. St. Helens

15. Go clamming

16. Visit Timberline Lodge

17. Ride on a motorcycle

18. Move into my own place

19. Learn to change the oil in my car

20. Eastern Oregon trip- Fossil Beds, Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, etc.

21. Go fly-fishing

22. Visit Silver Creek Falls

23. Visit the Chinese Garden in Portland

24. Go for a helicopter ride

25. Learn about photography- I don’t know if this will amount to a class or “lessons” from someone more knowledgeable, but I would love to become more knowledgeable about photography and invest in a good camera.
26. (What shall this one be?!)

27. Run the Warrior Dash- I will actually be doing this one again in September!

28. Visit a continent I haven't visited before (Asia, Africa, Australia, Antarctica)

29. Take an out-of-state trip with friends (road trip?)

30. To Be Decided (last one to be completed…maybe something extra fun for my 30^th birthday)