Sky Dive? Well, sort of...

Ok, I changed my mind. I love every bit of 52 Firsts! Especially when they are frivolous, exilerating and just down right fun!

This last week offered the greatest dose of adrenaline since the adventures began. It didn't hurt we had a Ryan Gossling lookalike instructor wrapping his arms protectively around as we worked to find our balance.

(Good form Vanessa, good form)

That is, finding our balance high above huge wind turbines powered by 1400 horses and producing 300km/hour winds. Faux sky diving. Awwww-some!

First of all, anything involving goggles will always make it to the top of my list. Add a flight suite and helmet and really, who needs the actual event to make a girl happy. Like so many things, the outfit makes the moment ;)

(Such geeks! So excited!)
Once suited up and ready to go, sitting in the outer chamber, waiting, watching, my excitement turned to heart-pounding, muscle-tightening, guttural fear.

Normally I would jump to the front of line, you know, pull the band aid right off. No time to think that way. Not this time. I was forced to the middle of the line. Forced to watch and think and worry. Flailing limbs, spinning bodies, plexiglass headbutts, wind-burned cheeks.... Oh shit. Ok. My turn.

Stand in the archway of the inner chamber. Cross your arms over your chest. Trust fall into the chamber. That is, pierce through the wind and hopefully find yourself parallel the ground 2 stories below you and separated by a fairly flimsy looking metal mesh "floor".

Thanks goodness for  sexy instructor guy who is there to guide you as the wind catches you and pushes you upwards. Find your center and  experience "free fall". Extend out your limbs and the extra surface area pushed you up. Fold everything up an down you come. Ok, alright, I got this. 

(Sasha, concentrate!!!)


Sixty seconds later I'm shaking with adrenaline and over-exhausted core muscles. But now I get it. I more round.... relax and enjoy. Who needs to jump out of a plane. This is way better!

(Vanessa looking serene)
When all was said and done, we got to watch our as our instructor turned to superhero. We watched amazed as he launched himself from a standing position into the air, flying high above us only to swoop back down and invert himself upside down; spinning around the perimeter, leaping from wall to wall, flipping and shooting far up into the air only to land backwards into the archway, confident glint in his eye... Oh, my hero!