Hi Andre, I woke this morning to the sound of heavy rain bouncing off the roof and pattering against my window. My first thought (aside from thinking I should go back to sleep for a bit, it was still very early) was ‘Wow, how lucky were we with the weather yesterday?!’ And I’ll say it again, what a wonderful day we had yesterday as far as the weather goes.As for everything else, I can only say that I think I’ve maxed out my quota of the word ‘amazing’ for the next year or so! It was such a fantastic experience for me, like a dream come true! I am sure you hear that all the time, but I wanted to make sure you knew I felt the same way! I still can’t get over the fact that I had not one little bit of fear, and that’s a pretty big deal coming from a girl who says she’s afraid of heights. Not all heights I guess! There were so many moments in that hour flight that made me feel so alive, so wonderful! I actually felt like some sort of mythical creature that had sprouted wings! When we flew down over that corn field I could of just squealed with pure joy. But of course I was conscious of the radio link between us and I didn’t want you to think I was afraid….or blow out you eardrums!
I’m sure you have a million photos, but I’ve sent a few along anyway, as well as a link to a video I posted of our take-off on YouTube! Also, I was asked to include a photo and a little caption for the local paper up north, the Great North Arrow. Just thought you’d like to know.
Thank you for a most wonderful experience, and I have no doubt in my mind that we will meet again. Perhaps when it is a bit warmer next time though eh?
Take care, have a great winter….and I’ll see you in the spring!
Jodi
YouTube link:
http://youtu.be/I5TI5yJT-Nc
Photo caption for the Great North Arrow (the photo is one I have included with this email):
‘Growing up on the farm just outside Magnetawan, I always dreamed of flying. I wasn’t as much interested in flying an airplane, though perhaps the cost of getting a pilots license was a slight deterrent. No, I was more interested in the kind of flying where you sprout giant wings and just take to the air at your leisure. I blame the book ‘Mail Order Wings’ by Beatrice Gormley for fanning the flames of my desire to fly. Well, with the help of Andre Zeman at Powered Paragliding Ontario I was given those wings. I can’t even begin to explain the sheer joy/amazement/exhilaration that I felt the entire time we were airborne….cruising along, dipping low, buzzing cornfields and soaring up again. I felt like a mythical creature, with nothing but the big sky above me and the ground far below. From the moment we gently lifted off the grassy strip that was the runway until the moment we touched down again I did not once experience even a hint of fear. It truly amazed me because I’m afraid of heights. I know, ironic for a girl wanting wings, who was also a flight attendant for years. I’m always pushing the envelope when it comes to my fears….and this time it felt so natural that fear was the farthest thing from my mind. Perhaps a sign that I really was meant to have wings?’
