This weekend was so outrageous I can’t even wait to get home to write the update! Before you sit down to read and skim through some kick ass photos I suggest getting a cup of coffee (or jack and coke for you night owls) and maybe take a bathroom break because you’ll be here a while!







Dave was out this weekend as our chauffeur to altitude! I heard a rumor that he really enjoys flying the Beech….



The weekend started Friday morning for many of the staff and fun jumpers. The hanger needed some last minute clean up – we got some painting and construction done – and it looks better and better every weekend we come out there. HUGE thanks to Gary, Tracey, Brian, Mark and Marcus for all the help.







Friday came and went and we were all anxiously awaiting Saturday’s annual sunrise full altitude hop-n-pop. 5:30 wheels up came real early, and the jumps were ready, but the weather was not. We all got aboard the Beech and as we went to taxi down the runway this dense fog came and covered the whole area! Patient (and tired) as all of us were we waited out the fog and the not exactly sunrise load went up at 7:30. The world looks so peaceful from 14,000 ft on a Saturday morning, I couldn’t think of any better thing to do in honor of our friends who we miss.







Once we got the plane flying we couldn’t stop – just how we like it! John and I got the honor of taking Robert Cook’s two canopies in the air for some unbelievable photos by Mark Cook. There is something about getting under canopy with the people you love surrounding you that just gives you chills! I’m pretty sure Robert was there flying with us…



It wasn’t too long before we had two very special, very official guests in our presence. Wendy and Steve Gill, two high ranking officials in the Australian government, arrived to present Mark and Annette with the Star Of Courage award in honor of Robert and his tremendous courage and selflessness. There was not a dry seat in the house, and even Wendy who gave a beautiful speech on the behalf of the Queen of Australia was fighting the tears. The pride of know Robert could be seen on every face there. I’m pretty sure Mark has Wendy just about talked into a trip back to BG for a tandem – No doubt Robert would have tried talking her into it with that sly grin and cool calm attitude – after watching Mark talking to her I think it’s clear where Robert got it from!















Thank you to everyone who came out for this special occasion – we have an awesome family her in BG and it shows in our love and respect for each other!







We had some other very special visitors this weekend – Tara and Sparki came to make some jumps out of the Big Bad Beautiful Beech (copyright Mark Cook 2007)! I nearly plowed over Tara walking in, I just couldn’t hug her fast enough! Sparki was waiting in the landing area on the next load, words can’t express how special it was seeing those two! Together, blue tongues and all, we got these two beautiful girls back in the air! I wish they never had to leave, but we all so look forward to having them out with us again very soon. Love you girls!!







We had a good tandem crowed out Saturday as well! The staff was busy nonstop – just how we like it. I know I say this every week but we really do have some kick ass instructors!





Lest I forget - Greg Estes was with us for his 3000th jump on Saturday’s sunset load! Greg sure does know how to put a dive together – make a dive that everyone has to get to you and if you don’t get in the formation, you buy beer! Rumor has it that Greg won’t have to buy his own beer for a good long time. Although he may want to consider buying some ear plugs to keep the whipped cream out oh his ears when he gets nailed in the face with pies….











Saturday came to end way later then I hoped it would, too late for Mexican and just late enough to crash without much of a dinner. Sunday morning however came nice and early! We had tandems on just about every load…



Robert knocked out all of his probationary tandems this weekend. The ladies were all volunteering themselves to be his passenger! Sparki, Twigy, Julie and Suzette seemed to really enjoy their rides! I was jealous and decided to join Suzette on her skydive!









Mark took Annette, Robert's mother (his ex-wife), on three tandems this weekend! The woman just couldn’t keep herself on the ground – and who could blame her?! Thank you guys for letting me come along, I had so much fun – and I really think Annette and I gave Mark a run for his money!













When Mark was not out in the sky with a tandem student, he could be found flying Steve Babin's Xaos 81. You'd better watch it Steve, your canopy looks too good flying over BG and it may not want to come home!



Mike made his first AFF skydive this weekend – he made it look so easy! Congrats on a very successful first skydive, we can’t wait to see you out for more!









Amanda and TJ are both moving right along on their AFF progression as well. It’s going to be no time and I’m going to be writing about how you guys are getting you’re A licenses! They grow up so fast!



The tandems ended in time for us to put together some fun jumper loads. Twiggy is finally free flying at normal person speeds!! She nailed her sit at 169MPH – now she can sit fly with other people who aren’t belly flying! You go girl!







We were fortunate enough to welcome home Col. Eddiy Daly from Afghanistan this weekend. Yes another jumper we wish we could just keep out in BG with us every weekend!





All in all I think Brian and Tracey’s son Taylor said it best – I hate Sunday night! None of us wanted to leave the weekend behind – I know I’m not alone when I say if I could wake up tomorrow and repeat the weekend all over again I would do it in a heart beat! I guess we’ll just have to wait until next weekend though – hope to see you there!

xoxo
Assley