It all started with Emily needing to drive her car home from California after driving all her stuff back a month ago for the big move to Chicago next week. Since I didn’t want her to drive alone, I said I’ll fly out and drive back with you. Kayla also wanted to come and then Emily’s best friend from college Julie, decided to join us. It then turned into a four day road trip.

About a month ago I got a text asking if I would go sky diving. My immediate answer no way. Then I watched a bunch of documentary’s about space and the moon landing and decided why not. So Emily was in charge of booking a place. She had some of her patients helping her. The first place we were going to go may be shut down. They have had numerous injuries and deaths. It came to light some of their instructors were not certified. This made me feel real confident about this endeavor. She settled on Skydive Perris in Perris California. She also booked us for eight am yesterday morning.

This was Kayla’s idea and when we got up yesterday morning she decided she wasn’t going. To which Emily and I said oh no you are going. We pulled into the place at 8:02.

We filled out paperwork that basically said if we died we cannot sue them. Again very reassuring. We watched a video about how to do it and then they said see you in about an hour to get ready to jump. We had to wear arm bands so we couldn’t drink in the restaurant. As if that was going to happen. Emily and I both took Dramamine because riding in this little plane screamed let’s not vomit.

So they came and got us to get us suited up and meet the guys we would be attached to. All of them were super nice and obviously loved their jobs. Because I was very nervous my mouth was in full force. I had all of them cracking up. All three of them said at different times and all together they loved mom. I used Kayla’s nickname of blondie and then told them the story of where it stemmed from. Including how we use to tell her she was mailman’s daughter until the day she was looking out the window to see the mailman and what her dad looked like. She was around two or three. They were dying. I think my favorite line was “If I die, that’s ok I’ll get to see my dad again.” They were cracking up. So we got suited up.

After this it was time to get on the plane. The instructions, follow right behind me and keep your head down when climbing on board. A bench was on each side with seatbelts which we put on until we reached 10,000 feet. There were a bunch of other people including a group that was going to make a circle during free fall. We had talked about my obsession with airplane crash shows so my guy says we can jump out if the plane is going to crash. I said as long as we are high enough up in the air. See I really am smarter than I look.

It seemed like forever before the door to jump out was opened. The big group went out first and the way they all went out it looked like a decompression and they all got sucked out. Two solo guys went next. All the time we are sliding down getting closer and closer. Kayla went first and it was the weirdest thing to watch. She was there one minute and gone the next. I went second. My biggest fear I’d do something wrong and kill us both. It was one two three and out the door we went. He did all the work and after two seconds I thought to myself open your eyes and enjoy this so I did. Free fall was crazy but as soon as I was allowed I had my arms and feet out. I was breathing through my mouth which became so dry that once the parachute deployed my tongue felt six feet thick. I finally got enough spit going that I could talk. We had quite the chat on the way down which is one reason I didn’t buy a video or pictures. Julie didn’t go because she had done it before. So when I told her this she said of course you did. My guide was busy turning the sail around and telling me what lakes we were looking at and mountains and things. It was so cool. Emily on the other hand who jumped out last landed first because she was threatening to puke.

Finally it was time to land which was by far the thing I was worried most about. I seriously was more worried about that than the parachute not opening. Several years ago the family went zip lining in Tennessee and my landing has been legendary. To quote my husband, I came in like a bowling ball and nearly took out the people who were suppose to help me stop. The landing for sky diving is hold your feet up and land on your butt. So it comes time and the guy gives me the instructions. I get my feet up and he says higher. I’m thinking I should have either went back to running or started yoga two years ago. Somehow I manage to hit my left foot on the ground and go sliding in the grass for landing. My first thought Emily called it, I broke my ankle.

Notice the grass stains on my shoe. Anyway I moved my foot and thought nope I’m good. The guy was concerned and also amazed at this landing. I said nope I’m fine. I got up and walked over to Emily and smacked her for predicting my insane landing. My guy asked me if I would do it again and I said maybe. It was a lot of fun and so peaceful after free fall.

Julie took this after picture

and then stated we looked like the power puff girls.

We were cracking up. We couldn’t have planned that any better. The funny thing is my guy picked out my suit and the other two girls picked out theirs. It was such a fun time and all three of us would go again.

Mole Moral ~ Think long and hard before you agree to go on a Mole road trip. One never knows what adventures await you.