Paragiliding

Starting up the hill
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This last summer (2006) I had the opportunity to travel through Jackson Hole Wyoming. As this was the last year for the Aerial Tram to operate my family and I decided to take the ride to the top. I'd been there about 17 years ago but it was more exciting with my family as I was able to hold my two year old sone up to the window on the ride. He loved the view and kept pointing at some local paragliders flying off the mountian.

On the ride back down the I asked the Tram operator about the paragliders. He informed me that I could take a tandem ride for $175. I had read a book on paragliding before but was concerned about the price. Sad to say my mother said she would pay and I jumped on it. The pilot made me read a few facts and take a small quiz and then we were off. I could only describe the ride as wow. It lasted about 15min and at the end of the ride down the mountian you end up still over 1000 feet above the valley floor. The pilot took the opportunity (my added weight) to do some aerobatics. Pretty cool getting almost upside down in a paraglider. If you get the chance I recommend the experience.