Granted, the gentleman was strapped to my backside and we were fully outfitted in super-stylish jumpsuits, but it was likely the closest I’ll ever come to, you know, getting close while airborne.
I also turned 40. I figured since I’m just over the hill I may as well start my descent at 180mph.
100% worthwhile.
Rock on!
And happy birthday.
Hey, we all have our preferences. 
You little freak, you.
That’s very cool! and I’d never do it in a million years. But it must have been exhilarating, and with your a(l)ttitude, you’ll go far. 
Way to go! And happy birthday!
I jumped out of plane for the first time about a month ago. Free fall is like nothing else and it’s one hell of a rush.
May you have another 40 years of jumping out of planes!
I jumped once, and with the exception of my wedding day and the birth of my kids, it was the most exhilerating thing I’ve ever done. And it was also the only time I’ve ever had a guy strapped to my backside. Funny thing is, my wife had some strange guy strapped to her backside at the same time, and she enjoyed her ride as much as I did.
Hmm…
Can I just say Excellent username/post content combination.
Also Happy Birthday!
+1
Hmph. Swinging’s so passe.
Congratulations!
I would love to parachute some day. I went hanggliding (as a passenger) last year, and I was in a doors-off helicopter tour this year, and the initial feeling/sensation was quite similar.
I found both of the experiences almost peaceful, in a strange heartpounding way.
So cool! Happy belated b-day and what a great way to celebrate a milestone.
My Dad just did this last February. He’s 78. He frickin’ LOVED it. He did it with my 85 year old uncle…who, um, liked it but was absolutely terrified before the jump.
It is something that I’ve always wanted to do. Unfortunately, there are weight limits to tandem jumps and I haven’t reached that goal yet!
Good for you…takes a lot of guts to jump out of a plane at 13,000 feet!!! Yay!!! Glad it was such a rush.
Congratulations and happy birthday!! That sounds like so much fun!!
Happy Birthday!
(…imagine the poor guy 2.5 miles below though. "…dammit! Bird poop!? )
Happy Birthday!
I went skydiving a few years ago, and it was awesome. I’m turning 40 in a few months, and I have a few friends who say they want to go jump…so I get a little group together and go do it.
-D/a
Happy Birthday!
I’d love to try that, skydiving I mean, not strapping myself to your backside.
On 2nd thought…
Good for you, now that you’ve set a precedent carry on living life to the full !
Todays 40 is yesterdays 25. (Because we live longer, age slower and have healthier diets )
Keep learning, keep living, keep expanding your experiences.
Have fun, and Happy Birthday !
Happy birthday! I did a tandem a couple of years ago. After the tandem instructor got through cinching us together, he made the comment that this was probably the closest I was ever going to get to someone I’d only met 15 minutes ago!
The first time was exhilarating but also a huge blur of adrenaline and noise and waving to the camera. I want to do it again so that I can properly appreciate the view.
I did a solo jump back when I was maybe 21. It was a static line, so the chute opens automatically. But that first 10 seconds or so is absolutely thrillingly exhilarating.
It takes quite a bit of courage to jump out of a plane, as I learned.
Oh, and happy birthday.
Congrats and Happy B-Day! So what’s next on the list? I highly recommend any of the following:
Rappelling, Ridge soaring in a glider, learn to surf, take a high speed driving course. The last one’s on my list…