BLIND DATE
Chapter IV (1972-1976)
The Yellow Disc
The College
Nearby trail through surrounding forest
Our first dwelling was a one-room cottage for three weeks. We survived with a hot plate on which we fried donated orange-yolked duck eggs and many a hot dog.
Shelly enjoying both middle fingers while listening to Jim Croce
Our very first home, summer and winter
Holli at Easter
Mom read to her so she could then read to her puppy--from the address book
Two llittle sisters having tea
Lake Michigan in autumn
Beautiful sandy beaches
Oak trees undressing in late autumn
Ice skating on the local lake
Cold day at the lake
Christmas and one of their favorite toys ever, the barbie camper-van
Watching the dance
Skydiving
My progression began with the static line. In chutes, I began with the military "7-TU". At the back, note 7 closed panels between two open ones. The open panels form two upside down "T's" on each side, and together they form a "U". By pulling on control lines you could block off air flow through either, or both, open panels for speed and directional control.
Next, was the paracommander with its myriad openings for control and stability. Then came the 5-cell Stratostar "ram-air" canopy and finally the 7-cell Strato Cloud (note the "slider" just above the risers, which slowed the opening sequence).
​
Sadly, most of my jumping photos were left at the drop zone. These are examples only.
AdventureWisdom.com
A more recent example of a static-line jump
Military 7-TU
70s military parachute gear. Note the large front-mounted reserve
​
Para-Commander canopy. Reproduced with permission from Jeffrey Dick
Unsplash: William Warby
7-cell Strato Cloud. Stratostar is 2 cells smaller. Note the "slider" above the risers
My "American" Papillon named originally by the French for the large stabilizing panels. Note the five smaller panels in front that pop out to direct pressurized air upward. This increases lift directly over the top of the canopy for additional stability in accuracy jumping--a unique feature of the pap. Flying downwind I make a splash in the pea gravel. The green color is a bit off in this photo
This is a bit tongue-in-cheek but there is the "yellow disc" I love to relate the response of my bestest high school friend, who at the time was earning a PhD at the University of Florida. After learning of my interest in skydiving he wrote, "If I jumped out of airplanes I would leave little brown spots in the clouds!" He was a friend I shall never forget.
We now head for an unparalleled adventure in Navajoland