​One great thing about this job, (writing for the Tyler TX Directory), is that I’m finding all sorts of area events, activities and institutions that I would love to visit!

One bad thing about this job is that I’m finding all sorts of area events, activities and institutions that I would love to visit, but don’t have the time or money to do so.

Ok so I admit some of the things I write about I’ve experienced first-hand (quite a few actually), and some I’ve yet to experience. One of the later is skydiving.

Now there are a whole series of reasons why I’ve never participated in this activity, just one of which is: I’d have no idea where to go to take in a day of jumping out of airplanes.

As it turns out it seems I have one less excuse since discovering Sky Dive East Texas (located at the Gladewater Municipal Airport on Hwy 271 South).

They have been helping people jump out of perfectly functional airplanes for over thirteen years. And they can claim one hundred fifteen thousand jumps to their credit.

​It should be understood that this isn’t the kind of thing patrons can do on a whim. In fact it requires at least a twenty four hour reservation.

Try going to sleep the night before that event! Also a non-refundable fifty dollar deposit is required. The reasoning behind this precaution seems perfectly self evident to me!

The whole cost of the excursion is not terribly cheap, but on considering, it may not be as expensive as one would expect either. There are a series of prices depending on how the visitor would like to record the experience.

The base price is just under two hundred thirty dollars. All beginners jump tandem, but after progressing through a series of classes and jumps customers can actually learn to experience the sport solo.

​I can certainly recognize the appeal of this hobby. I have often said that given the opportunity I like to give it a try, although I may require some… encouragement at the airplane door.

Fortunately for me I’m not nearly out of excuses for avoiding this brush with my own mortality. The fact that I’m, er… big boned precludes me from making a day of it. In my own defense, I’m not morbidly obese or anything, but it seems that the weight limit for men is two hundred fifteen pounds.

Admittedly, I’m a bit over that. The limit for women is around one hundred eighty. According to the website those limits are flexible but it requires an additional charge of three dollars a pound for every pound over the weight limit.

Note to self: try dropping a few before doing a follow up on this article. All self deprecation aside; for those interested in an adrenaline rush and a memory never to be forgotten check out the website at www.skydiveeasttexas.com.

I should also note that for those interested in a private pilot’s license, East Texas Eagle Flight Training is also located at Gladewater Municipal Airport.

The flight school offers an instructional course that will walk the perspective pilot through the process of attaining his or her private pilot’s license. To look into their services visit the website at http://learntoflyeasttexas.com.