My First Freefalling Experience....

So, Im not one to do things that can cause major bodily harm to myself. But I do "want" to live on the edge now and then. I want to feel the rush of LIVING every once in a while. So when the opportunity presented itself to try out Indoor Skydiving, I figured, WHY NOT? What harm can come to me? Could I die from this extreme sport? Nahhhhhhhhh....
So we packed up Saturday morning and headed to North Carolina for our great adventure in skydiving, or free falling if you may.... We arrived at the Birthday Boys house and spent some time with some old friends, that's always a pleasure! We arrive at the wind tunnel and immediatly, Im feeling apprehensive. Why? I have no idea. We've already surmised that this is VERY SAFE. But, alas, my anxiety decides to test me. I almost decided against trying it. But once I got that fashioable jumpsuit on, it was ALL SYSTEMS GO! And apparently, Rick felt the same way! He was rearing to get some air time! But then again, he has been thru Airborne School with the Army and has made the leap before!
Finally, they ushered us into a room with plexiglass walls. On the other side of those walls, were spectators. WHAT?????? People actually go to this place, sit there, and watch other people freefall! Now I am truly worrying that I am going to make a fool of myself and either A. Hit the wall face first or B. Drool up my own nose. Our instructor was a foriegn guy, I still can't quite place his accent, but his name was Pali. I know this only cause his name is on my Certificate I recieved for surviving my ordeal that day.

He instructed us as to what his hand signals meant, so when we were in the tunnel, he could tell us what position we needed to change to obtain and maintain our "flight". I was for sure, I'd forget everything he was telling me! Well, the time came. It was time for us to start entering the chamber. Thankfully I wasn't first! Some 8 year old kid was, and they did amazingly well! After a few more kids, my turn arrived. I looked at my husband, handed him the camera/video and reminded him to get this on film. I then headed in.

Video of Missy Freefalling!

I can honestly say, that first step into the wind tunnel is the scariest! But once I was inside, the instructor made me feel quite confident and safe. As soon as I leaned in, I felt my body rise above the net floor. I smelled the smell of the forced in air, which was reminiscent of chlorine that you put in a swimming pool, and man, can you smell it with the wind reaching speeds of 112 mph! It was so fast, I even felt my cheeks rippling in the wind! Freefalling in this tube was a liberating experience, and I can't even tell you how it made my blood rush! I felt the instructor grab my arm and leg at one point, and with his help, we lifted higher and higher into the tube. I could see the tops of the heads of all the spectators! We started our decent and all too soon it was over and I was out the door. I am so happy I got to do this! And that I got to experience, in a safe enviroment, something most people never get the chance to experience!

I can honestly say we had a blast! It is something I would enhoy doing again if the opportunity presented itself. And if you ever find yourself, staring face to face with a huge air tunnel and some crazy foriegn sky diving instructor, I say DO IT!