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Thursday, October 13, 2011

Airs Above The Ground

Normally "Airs Above the Ground" would be a horse reference, whether on purpose (like the Lipizzaner Stallions) or not on purpose (usually involving broken bones ;-). Last night it meant getting the opportunity to fly in/on/with a powered parachute.



These folks frequently fly over our farm and every time they do I think I would LOVE to do that sometime. One of our favorite boat docks is over by the Cynthiana Airport and the other evening we were coming in the same time a parachute was landing. I jumped out of the boat and ran over.



As luck would have it, they were very friendly and willing to talk powered parachuting much the same way sheep/bee/fiber/carriage drivers... will talk their particular passion. I love that about us. They took my name and phone number and said they knew someone who had a two seater that would probably be willing to take me up.



He called and we set up a date to meet at Talon Winery, on the south side of Lexington. Several parachuters (?) were going to fly and he'd let me tag along. This pair went up first, made a small loop, came back by and buzzed us (probably much higher than I thought) and scared the bejesus out of me. Parachuting humor? Seriously?!? It was a small price to pay ;-).



Here we are getting ready. Or I should say Mike Murphy is getting us ready. I think I am just fixing my hair even though it looks like I'm doing an "Oh my goodness, what the heck am I thinking..."



Strapped in, getting some last minute instructions and up we go!





At the last minute I decided not to take a camera. Yep, I didn't take a camera. That's how scared I was. And honestly, for the first half of the flight I didn't miss it one bit (Sorry Mike - hope the back of that vest is okay and I didn't rip any finger holes in it :-o). The longer we were up the better I felt though and I can't even begin to tell you how beautiful it was up there.

The day had been cloudy and dreary, but right as everyone was getting ready, the sun began to peak out. And after a dry, brown summer, the fall rains have greened everything up, the trees are starting to turn and we flew low enough to see some deer and then high enough to get the most amazing view of the sun starting to set.

There were three parachutes in the air and a bi-plane. They wave to each other like we do in our cars. And take pictures. The parachutes are steered with foot controls, so while I was hanging on for dear life, Mike had his hands free to take pictures of the bi-plane, the Calipari Corn Maze, amazing scenery...

And the world at 750 feet is amazing. Holy! Cow!



Tim took this right after we all landed. It's beautiful and surreal and it captures exactly how it felt. And yes, I would do it again.

20 comments:

Camp said...

this looks like you had a grand time! what a terrific experience. I not sure I ever told you I used to take aerial photos for my first job. so interesting!

Nancy K. said...

How fun! I do believe that you are braver than I.

;-)

ME said...

How exciting!

Lori Skoog said...

You have a lot of guts girl!!!!! The whole thing looked like smooth sailing to me.

Dianne@sheepdreams said...

A-Maze-Zing!!!

Susan said...

You are much braver than I! While I love the idea of it, the reality is I am petrified of heights.

Christine said...

COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Terry and Linda said...

YAY! HAND CLAPS FOR YOU!!!! JUST WONDERFUL!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

Jenny Glen said...

You are braver than me!

Sheepmom said...

Looks like you had a great time! Now you've got to make the acquaintance of some hot air balloon people!

PS. Maybe this fellow would take 20 up next time :-)

Alice said...

Thrills and chills galore! Looks like you threw all your worries to the wind and wisked them away for a few carefree moments. How nice of the pilot to take you up up and away.

Michelle a.k.a. Farmchick said...

Wow! This does look like fun!

Benita said...

I have always wanted to do this! This is sooo cool!

Tiggeriffic said...

This is Tiggeriffic~! something I have always wanted to do. So glad you had the opportunity~!
Have a Tiggeriffic day~! ta ta for now from Iowa:)

Peruby said...

I am so jealous! That looked amazing!

flowerweaver said...

Uh-oh. I can see it coming...Evil Ksheepal, you and 20 take to the skies...

Dreaming said...

Oh, man oh man oh man... it looks scary, fun, exciting... all rolled into one.
How lucky and brave you are!

janna Edrington said...

I don't think I could do that! I'm so glad you had a great time!

Gayle said...

You are so brave. I would never ever do something like that!

small farm girl said...

I always wanted to do that!!!!!!I have friends who have them. One of these days....... lol