Just before 5 PM, we boarded the Cessna 182. Andrew would let us out at 5,000 K and then continue to climb as he headed back to the drop zone to put out Susie and Erick.  

He followed 90 West and opened the door when he was over top the South Dakota welcome center.  Matt told him to adjust the line of flight to the south. Andrew turned the plane about 15 degrees to the south.

That wasn't going to be enough!

He needed to be flying perpendicular to 90 West. Matt told him to take it all the way to the south and Andrew did.

Even though we didn't have the winds aloft, we knew the uppers were strong. We'd be getting out to the South of both welcome centers. With over 1,200 jumps in variable conditions, spotting was no problem for Matt. He left the plane first, and I followed. 

As I was leaving, I waived goodbye and Susie waived back. I didn't take much of a delay. I could bleed off altitude if necessary.

In the photo below, the South Dakota welcome center is on the left.  Obviously, the Minnesota welcome center offered better landing conditions. Such is life...

I hung out on the south side above the Minnesota center until I was at about 1,200 feet. Then, I followed Matt's right-handed pattern  His downwind was over the western part of welcome center, his base was over the corn, and his final over the corn and trees into to the grass on the eastern part of the center. I watched as Matt landed perfectly.

As I got closer to the tree line, I realized that I might not clear it. I should have factored into the equation my less aggressive canopy. I ended up choosing an alternative landing spot. I flared and thought I was going to have a great landing, but as soon as I was below the tree line, my canopy dropped me. GRRR!

My landing was hard, but nothing serious - at most a minor sprain.

Just after we landed, a woman and her daughter came to talk to us. They were on their way to Utah and they saw the canopies above the highway. While I was talking to them, Matt packed his parachute and when he finished they offered us some water. Such nice people. I feel bad that I didn't get their names! I would love to send them a thank you note. They waited with us until Susie showed up with the van and then we said our goodbyes.

Matt and I were both surprised that they were the only people that come over! I guess two people landing parachutes at the welcome center isn't that big of a deal in South Dakota.  Who knew?

When we were driving back to the DZ, Susie and I were talking about the mileage on my van. She said she was worried it wouldn't make it and was really surprised with how nice it drives. She was expecting it to be clunking along.

As soon we got back to the dz, I offered to cover a slot so that Erick and Susie could go again. However, an observer had shown up so they had plenty of people to put up the plane. 

While I was packing, Matt paid for our jumps and bought a t-shirt.  We left behind $20 for the beer fund and said our goodbyes.

Three down and one to go!