Put skydiving on your bucket list
Editor: Do you have a bucket list for the summer? Here’s an idea. Try skydiving. I did just that to celebrate my 70th birthday. A friend and I went to Okanagan Skydiving in Vernon a week ago.
I was inspired by a fellow I know who loved skydiving. I said I would never do it, but the idea stuck in my head for two years and I finally decided it was time. Why not treat myself to a tandem jump.
The biggest rush of all times was exiting the plane and falling for 31 seconds at 120 m.p.h. The force of the wind coupled with the smell of the fresh cool air was like no other experience I have ever had.
The scenery was spectacular and I just kept saying, ““Oh my god, oh my god”” over and over. I had no fear.
After the parachute was deployed we descended with grace. Well, I got a bit nauseated so if you are prone to motion sickness, take a gravol before you jump.
There are two kinds of landings depending on the wind currents. We landed on our bottoms. I was covered with the parachute and didn’t even want to get up because it felt so good. Two fellows came over and lifted me to my feet. I guess they thought I was too old to get up by myself.
I’ve never had a bucket list but it evolved – visiting the Taj Mahal, walking the Great Wall of China, walking with the penguins at Falkland Islands, seeing Stonehenge, visiting the Terra Cotta Warriors, riding a camel at the pyramids of Egypt, snorkeling in the Red Sea, swimming with the dolphins, and so much more.
Now my bucket list is complete – for now. How about yours? Donna Love, Kelowna