How I did it: It began during my tour of duty with the Air Force in Edwards AFB, CA. My commander approached me one day and asked if I would like to participate in a squadron activity. He knew someone who had the equipment to go bungee jumping, and this individual offered a discount if we met a certain quota. I was the one who would give us the discount; how could I refuse?

On the day of the event, we all carpooled out to the designated place, where a hot air balloon was being inflated. One by one, each in turn, we were taken by balloon to a height of 150 feet. Then, before I knew it, I was up. No chance to back out now!

The operator looked over at me and said, "Does that look like 150 feet to you? It looks a little low to me." Even though the anchor ropes were as taut as guitar strings and the rear of the trucks to which the balloon was anchored were threatening to lift off the ground, I was forced to agree; the ground did seem awfully close.

He tapped the altimeter, shrugged, and said, "When you're ready, just step off the lip of the platform, like you're going to walk to those mountains in the distance."

From below, I could hear the urgings of my comrades, calling for me to jump. I glanced over the side. The ground still looked too close. Voices from the ground began a countdown.

"Three!"

"I think they want you to go," the operator said casually.

I nodded, still mentally calculating distances.

"Two!"

"You going to make the jump, or what? If not, I can take you back down, but there are no refunds."

I took a deep breath and steeled myself. I stepped onto the lip of the gondola and inhaled.

"One!"

I stepped into space, just as if I were going to take a walk to the mountains on the horizon. Just as I felt my foot leave the platform, I heard the operator say, "Wait a minute! This should probably be attached!"

It was too late; I was falling through space. I was surprised to discover that I did black out; that is to say, I could not see anything. I could still hear perfectly. I could hear the wind in my ears, the shouts of the onlookers, but I could not see anything.

I fell for what seemed forever. I remember thinking that it had been too long, that the cable had snapped or that he was serious about something not being connected. Strangely though, I did not feel fear, but rather an eerie calm.

Then I felt a sharp tug and my vision suddenly returned. I felt myself going up, like riding an express elevator, and then another drop and a lesser return upward. Finally, I settled into a hanging position about 50 feet beneath the gondola as he lowered the balloon.

When I reached the ground, my first thought was how I could arrange to do it again.

Lessons & tips: Just do it! If you ever feel that this is the day that you will actually do it, then just go! If you hesitate, you may talk yourself out of it.

The experience can be frightening. I have a fear of heights, so it was important for me to do this. And a good operator can take your mind off of the fear by adding some levity (as mine did).

The most important thing is attitude. You have to want to feel the rush. Make no mistake; bungee jumping is very dangerous. It is not for the faint-of-heart. But the reward is a great memory.

Resources: I'd like to recommend the guy that handled our group, but frankly, that was 25 years ago, and I'm not sure he's even still alive, much less in business.

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Aug 28, 08:00AM PDT | 1 comment | 1 cheer