Taking the Plunge

The biggest item checked off our bucket list thus far: Skydiving!

We went with my brother and sister in Moab. It was very spontaneous (only a couple hours from the call asking us if we wanted to until we actually jumped) and one of the most incredible things we have ever done! The best way to document this adventure is through pictures...words just don't do it justice.

Wait, are we sure we want to do this?

We had to sign a waiver saying that we wouldn't sue anybody if we died. I think we initialed 20 different places releasing Skydive Moab from any liability. On each item to initial, it reminded us that we were intentionally jumping out of a plane. Don't forget that every aspect of skydiving is dangerous: you are riding in a plane that could crash, wearing a harness that could malfunction, and depending on a parachute that someone could have packed wrong. We read over every little thing that could potentially go wrong. Twice. Here's just a little sample:

Britt and Kurt went first! Here they are all harnessed up!

Then it was our turn!

Hold up...I'm really going through with this?

The little plane we went up in...

Danger...skydiving is a dangerous thing, in case you forgot. 

Before we jumped, we got a little air tour of Moab. It really is beautiful. We chose the best possible place in Utah to skydive. 

Nice view of the Colorado River. 

10,000 feet: check

Harness tight enough to leave bruises: check

Plane door open: check

Nerves calmed....ummmm...

Seriously though, the scariest part of the whole thing is when the door opened right next to me.

And I'm out! The actual jumping part wasn't that scary...the glory of a tandem jump is that he did all the work. All I did was fall! He even got fancy with it and we flipped a few times on our way out of the plane.

Is this not the coolest thing ever? I say it is.

Flying at 120 miles an hour is sweet, awesome, incredible, amazing...words really can't describe just how it feels...experience.

And the parachute has been pulled. 

The ground view of my jump (thank you Kurtis!).

And my landing, which was actually very smooth - unlike Hunter's (more on that later). After we landed the wind continued to gust a little and kept pulling us backwards. The result: my back pockets were filled with dirt. 

And now it's Hunter's turn!

See the baby plane in the background? That's how fast and far you fall.

Again...Coolest. Experience. Ever.

This look says it all: pure joy. 

Some more Where's Waldo: there are two little white specks. Those are us after we have jumped out of the plane and before our parachutes have been pulled. 

I'm the lighter one (bottom right), Hunter is the darker one (top middle). 

A good view of Hunter from the ground.

Annnnnd....Hunter's crash landing. Take special note of the puff of dirt.

Painful? Yes. Right as Hunter and his jumper were coming in for landing, the wind gave out between the buildings so they smacked right into the ground from about 5ish feet up. Needless to say, there was some major butt bruising that took place. He says it was totally worth it though and he would go again, even if it risked similar pain.

We survived!

Would we go again? DEFINITELY! Without. A. Doubt. 

And of course, we can't forget about the little dog. She patiently waited for us at the airport with my parents and siblings. Love her.