Swoopin’ on Oahu

Pacific Skydiving Center

My time on the North Shore is ending as we approach the end of November in a month. Pacific Skydiving Center introduced me to a whole new aspect of drop zone life in a turbine setting. The fast-paced, upbeat environment is home to a variety of people from all over the country. I see some of the best swooping, free-flying skydivers in the United States on a daily basis. It’s intimidating, but rewarding. The turbulence, gusts, and experience required to safely land a canopy make me truly realize the dangers of the sport, the fears I need to overcome to become a better canopy pilot and skydiver. In due time I will get there, but skydiving is not my ultimate priority in life at this moment, traveling is…

And that’s what I am doing and continue to do, except now I have a partner with me on occasion, my wife. My first days of hitching on the North Shore with no place to live, take warm showers, cook food, and feel civilized ended quicker than I planned. But living randomly makes me appreciate the unexpected adventures of travel, like meeting a nice Hawaiian woman for a work-trade opportunity. I never thought camping legally, rent-free in Hawaii was an option.

When I’m not packing tandems relentlessly for Pacific Skydiving Center, I’m landscaping, making Kalei’s lawn look like a resort town with a live-in lawn caretaker. When I’m not doing that I’m in the loft furthering my skills as a rigger, learning how to sew, make Sigma Tandem closing loops, sport closing loops, lower bungee assemblies, line sets, etc.

I’m stationary living as a camper with my wife, falling asleep every night to the lulling sound of the ocean waves and its nippy breeze. The beauty of this paradise surrounds me as I make some money to pay off our debt, my student loans and save or our next travels. It’s almost surreal beauty like gazing into a famous masterpiece planted far out into the Pacific Ocean.

My explorations came to a halt with all the working, but towards the end of November we will hit the road for more adventures on each of the islands, walking, hitchhiking and utilizing the public transportation available to us.  We hope to hike the Kalalau Trail along the Na Pali Coast in Kauai, Haleakala Crater on Maui, Sacred Falls and The Stairway to Heaven on Oahu, just to name a few explorations we have in mind.

Until then we bask in the beach sunshine, chatting with the other travelers at Kalei’s home, a radiant bunch of people from Florida, Missouri and Montana. And of course the homeless, meth-addict with the big bold letters, “Zion” tattooed on his back. But he’s a whole different story.

I am fortunate to live here temporarily. It’s like a permanent vacation. I will miss the people at Pacific Skydiving Center, but I might come back down the road, if it leads me here again, who knows?