Sunday, July 13, 2003

Skydive Tulahoma, Tennessee

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Today was a jump day, dedicated to the attitudes of Sam and Terry, two amazing people we met at HealthSouth in Nashville. They inspired us with their attitudes and commitment to overcome their disabilities. Blue Skies, guys!

We had the last of our first time jumpers today, with Cheryl, Trish, Elizabeth, and Mark doing tandem jumps. Some good news, some not so good news, but more on that later.

Here's Cheryl walking to the plane with her tandem master. She was determined and eager for the jump. Her determination inspired Trish, who also jumped today. What is amazing is that Trish took her first ride in a plane only 4 weeks ago. And Cheryl's walk to the plane didn't say No Fear, but Fear This. Very tough, she was.

When we watched Trish walk to the plane, we imagined the song "Danger Zone", from the movie "Top Gun", was playing. It was only too fitting, as the day turned out.

Trish and Jim after she was suited up for her jump. Jim was remarkably supportive, considering he wasn't jumping today. And he was very, very proud.

Trish, laying around in the grass with a man who is NOT her husband. Actually, Trish after her landing. She  rose from the grass, completely thrilled by the experience. Trish immediately called home and told her boys that she and Jim were selling the farm because they needed the money for skydiving. We expect that Jim will have some explaining to do when he gets home because Grandma is now ready for the X Games.

To everyone at Ohio Willow Wood, Meredy Fullen's true self appeared at the drop zone today. It seems that she had a pretty wild time at the Crockett Roadhouse last night, lost a tooth in a fight with a bartender, and woke up this morning with a fairly obvious tattoo on her, well, on her chest.

We can only hope that Meredy recovers before her return at the end of the week to Ohio. But she did buy the jumpers t-shirts or hats, so we let the Evil Meredy hang around until the end of the day.

Bruce and Cheryl's daughter, Elizabeth, immediately after she landed a great jump. She smiled all the way up in the plane and leapt out with no fear. Blue Skies, Elizabeth, as you return home tomorrow.

Elizabeth, in the air.

 Mark, shortly before he went to the plane, posing with his family.

It's Howdy Doody Time!!!!!

Can you believe that smile? And that's BEFORE he jumps. Joe REALLY loves skydiving.

 Fears of an Arconian foothold in Tennessee were allayed as the crowd realized that Mark was actually only a cone head in drag.

This is Trish or Mark. We don't know which, but the canopy is pretty against the clouds, so we kept the photo in.

 Mark, Elizabeth, and Joe were on the second load. Mark actually shut up for a few minutes as the plane crossed 10,000 feet. It was an amazing relief to all.

Poor Mark, the first official Dirt Dart of the trip. Here Bruce and Jim pay their respects to a lost comrade. Shortly after, a backhoe began excavating a trench in order to recover Mark's wallet. I mean, that's a rule of skydiving... Survivors split the proceeds of the fallen.

 Attempts to extract yet another skydiver were eventually successful. Meredy reminded the boys that they are only testing the Pathfinders successful if they actually land on their feet. The boys are still pondering how best to comply with this new, albeit somewhat restrictive requirement.

Here the crew poses with the tandem masters and others. Embarrassed by their obvious disabilities, the two tandem masters thoughtfully hid one leg each in order to show solidarity with the Tour de Gimp.

 And here's the bad news. Cheryl, after a beautiful jump, had a rough landing and broke her ankle. Make no mistake, people, skydiving is dangerous. We all felt bad for Cheryl, until we realized that between her and Bruce, they have broken limbs while mountain climbing or skydiving, which makes their lives look much more interesting than ours.

Our hearts and prayers are with you, Cheryl, as you get well. And please don't hold the scattered recommendations we uttered about a field-necessary amputation get in the way... I mean, we only want you more truly with us. Blue Skies.

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