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The Adventures Of Bette Porter And Sissee Gardner Schmidt After Howie (Part 3, Chapter 6)
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The Adventures Of Bette Porter And Sissee Gardner Schmidt After Howie (Part 3, Chapter 6)
PART THREE: SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA
Chapter 6
Bette and I had followed the men on the path to the Twin Otter, with she being the last to board. That meant she would be first to jump and I would be second. Joe, her jumpmaster, sat directly behind her, not yet attached. I sat behind Joe with my instructor, Burt, just behind me and so it went, with two rows of single seats.
I felt a surge of panic when I heard the engine start and the big side door shut but I talked myself through it, trying to convince myself that this would be an extraordinary experience worth the bouts of apprehension.
As we taxied down the runway everyone got very quiet. We watched the ground fall behind us at lift-off and within three minutes we were at 3,000 feet, looking out of the small windows we each had, seeing the broad expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Burt put a hand on my shoulder and leaned closer behind me, telling me that to the north was Vandenberg Air Force Base and to the immediate west were Points Arguello and Conception, with Santa Barbara to our southeast. I could see it all and it was awesome to think we would soon be out there floating through the air above it.
At 5,000 feet, Burt dropped his hand over my shoulder and told me to look at his altimeter watch and advised that it would be at this altitude or less when he would have me pull the parachute open. He also told me I was doing just great, as if he knew I needed reassurance.
When we got to 13,000 feet Burt warned me that the door would soon be opening and for me to be prepared for the whirling force of the wind that would engulf us. And so it did, loud and clear.
I saw Joe connecting his clamps to Bette’s harness as they got up and moved toward the door. As per Joe’s instructions, they both sat down. Bette was on his lap with both their feet dangling out of the plane. I was suddenly afraid for her as she looked back at me and our eyes met briefly but there was no fear in her eyes, only exhilaration. Her beautiful eyes were wide open and ready to absorb the whole process. Alert and eager.
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Wow girl! You did an exceptional job of describing something that you’ve never done yourself. Awesome! Still wouldn’t do it though.
It’s thrilling to just read your chapter. Now we have one more to read back to back, thanks Sissee. I feel so very happy for both Bette and Sissee. They are brave souls. I may chicken out like the other guy if I were on the plane! :-)
nicely done..wow they did it(smile) yay!!!! hahaha that wa awesome and i love the feeling of exeleration
Gummy Bear, Bette and Sissee have a lot of adventures but this one was the bravest. I loved the research and yes, the exhileration of the jump, the view, the sounds, the feelngs. I’m glad you came along for the “ride”.
Thanks K, One thing you can be sure of is that I have never done ait and I never would and that’s why it is so awesome that Bette and Sissee followed through. I guess it says a lot about their character but – mmmmm, not much for mine.
Bette’s Bette, Here I thought for sure that after you read this chapter you would want to jump all the more. What part got to you? The part where it felt like her skin was ripping off, or the awesome view or the speed with which they fell? I got breathless just writing about it!