July 17th

Every so often I review my bucket list and wonder if it is time to strike another adventure off the list.  So it was in the last week or so. 

I could tell the story as follows:   I decided to go for a plane ride over York Region, Ontario.  I booked the flight, paid the fare, got on the plane but after reaching 14,000 feet I was very unhappy with the plane ride - so there was only one thing to do  - I left out the back door.

But really, the exit was planned  -- as in -- jumping out at 14K as a tandem jumper meaning that attached to my back was a professional parachute jumper.  They made me sign a five or six page letter containing numerous acknowledgements and waivers  -- but nothing about hijackers.  They then put the harness on me and started giving me the details of the flight.

About 12 jumpers and 3 photographers started off in the plane.  It took about 12 minutes to get to 14K feet  -- above the clouds.  We walked off the back of the plane -- did a somersault; did a free fall; flew with a mini parachute to keep us at 200 k/h and then after about a minute the parachute opened and it was another 5 minutes of a slow descent and then a soft landing. 

The only thing I forgot was to ask what happens if my tandem partner blacks out.  Oh well -- it turned out to be an unnecessary question.

Two things  --  on the plane they asked me two questions -- how was I doing.  I gave the answer about a dozen times with my head nodding "bad idea", "bad idea".  Then they asked me if I had any last words.  I said "amen".

With that I walked off the plane.  

Next time I will get a better seat !!!!!