After breakfast at the hotel, we headed to the DZ. It was 9:00 sharp when we arrived, but no one was there.  Matt asked me if I was sure I had told the guy Friday.  I was pretty sure I had, but I started second guessing myself.  I called the phone number for manifest.  The owner, Wolf, answered.  He was still at home waiting for a package, but he’d be on his way once it was delivered.  His guestimate – he’d be at the drop zone by 11:30 because he had tandems arriving at noon.

Waiting for the DZO to show up?  Perfect time to take a picture with Cathy Baits! 

We were hoping to be on our way to Oklahoma by noon.  I read our email exchange.  It said nine, but it also said, “You know how skydivers are.” I should have called him on Thursday to reconfirm the start time because I could have used the extra sleep!

No worries…we were traveling with a bed in the van!  We stacked the gear in the front seats and rested. It gave me an opportunity to start summarizing our trip.  So much had happened over the last two days of traveling.  It was nice to have the time to put it on paper. 

After I finished writing, I talked to Merriah about Jess.  There really wasn’t much news.  I had heard a low cutaway, but it turned out that it was after a canopy collision.  How could this happen to Jessica?  She teaches people how to be better canopy pilots.  Her accident was devastating news for our community.

Right around 11:30, Wolf showed up with the love of his life. He told me that he could say that every night he got to sleep with a 19 year old red head!  His beautiful dog.  He offered us some coffee and a shower if we needed one.  We filled out the SINGLE page waivers and asked if we could do low passes and he said he'd put us out of the Cessna. 

Before the tandems arrived, Wolf explained why he was late. He was expecting an important package. The company he uses for credit card processing deactivated his old machines without telling him!  He was at his house waiting for the replacement.  When his package didn't arrive at 10:30, he called only to discover they never sent it out!  I would have been furious with them, but it didn't seem to phase Wolf that much.  He seemed like a very even-keeled person.  

Wolf understood we were in a rush so he put us on load one! ahead of his tandems.  His tandem instructor, Tyler, showed up and gave us a drop zone briefing. I paid Wolf for our jumps - $12.00 each for 5,000K.  What a sweet deal! I asked him how much a t-shirt would cost and he said he had just ordered new ones and that I should pick one I want and take it for free.  Awesome!  My second free state t-shirt!

It wasn’t long before we got on the plane. Since there were only three of us, there was plenty of room. Tyler took the spot by the door so he could do the spotting.  Plus, his canopy was much smaller and he'd be swooping. We were at 5,000 K in no time and Tyler climbed out first.  It was very cool to see him hanging upside down from the wing! Clearly he'd done this before!  Matt was next and I was last. As I left the plane, Wolf waved goodbye to me!  What a super cool pilot/DZO!

Tyler landed downwind in an alternative swooping area.  Matt went for the landing area we had discussed and landed right in the peas!  Awesome!

Over the course of our travels, we continue to meet some of the most interesting people.  While we were packing our parachutes, Wolf sang a song for us.  It was something he and his friend wrote together “Dead Girls Don’t Say No”.  If you are thinking about skydiving in Arkansas, you must go to Skydive Skyranch and ask Wolf to sing for you.  Not only was the song hilarious, he is actually a very impressive musical talent!

As you can see from the picture, the drop zone is located in an area of Arkansas that is very flat.  There were plenty of nice outs. Next stop...Oklahoma!