If you're surrounded by ice and snow, or depressed by the blustering weather, here's a bit of winter balm to let you know there can be a light in the middle of the tunnel. Imagine yourself high above the earth on a warm day, where you can see many different shades between the colors blue and green. The heavens above are deeply bathed in sapphire but the royal hue gradually lightens to cornflower as your gaze drops outward to the edges of the horizon.

Where you expect to see the imaginary line between earth and sky, there is none. Just a soothing, misty blend of baby blue and the warm, inviting turquoise of shallow Atlantic waters. Bring your gaze directly below and watch as the teal water gives way to quick, emerald splashes of tropical keys, dots of land that protrude just a few feet above sea level. Connected by long bridges, these ambitious sandbars known as the Florida Keys begin their southwesterly sweep just beyond Miami and extend to a point 90 miles from Cuba.

Now, feel the warm, steady breeze off the Atlantic as it caresses these tiny "islands" and notice your blood pressure sink while your metabolism makes the latitude adjustment. Although a part of Florida, the Keys feel more like a Caribbean getaway and they attract thousands of tourists throughout the year who want to let loose and have some fun in the sun. Are you ready for the part about the altitude?

With this spectacular backdrop now painted in your mind's eye, boldly brush in all the action of a premier skydiving boogie, co-hosted by the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce and Skydive Sebastian, a drop zone that has both the means and the know how to throw a first rate skydiving-show-on-the-road! With a few more broad strokes, add in world class organizing by Craig Buxton and Danny Page to keep the action going and the challenges high. For the finishing touch, top off your winter fantasy with videography by Norman Kent and Keith Larrett, transforming every skydive into a memorable and exciting work of art.

Are you there? Can you almost see it? Visualization is a nice way to escape the confines of the cold months for a few moments, but this skydiving fantasy became a reality for the lucky jumpers who made their way to the Florida Keys at the beginning of winter last year. Andy Grimwade, owner of Skydive Sebastian, accepted an invitation from the local Chamber of Commerce and flew his Super Otter, instructors, organizers, manifest staff, and a video concession south to Marathon, Florida for the 1st Annual Florida Keys Boogie from December 12th -15th. The event took place at the Knight's Key Campground and provided a splendid aerial panorama as well as an exciting and challenging landing area to jumpers of diverse levels. The manifest and video operations were set up quickly and expertly and "Skydive Marathon" sent up Load One by 9:00 am on the first day. On board for tandems were the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Ray Kitchener, who recently celebrated his 71st birthday, and local radio personality, Bill Becker, who transmitted a live broadcast while under canopy. George Neugent, prior President of the Chamber's BOD, conceived of the event, brought it to fruition, and made a spectacular tandem jump at sunset.

The first landings sent a rush of adrenaline through the onlookers as the fun jumpers swooped directly in front of the power lines that towered 80 feet overhead, loudly buzzing, as if they were guarding the final approach. Incentives against "off " landings were high. The area roped off from the rest of the campground was approximately 100 meters long (into the wind) by 70 meters wide.

Too short would mean a close encounter with the power lines. Even shorter, a quick dip in the Gulf of Mexico or at the very least, a harrowing experience negotiating a spot to land on or near busy US Highway 1! Overshooting the target would send a jumper through a scant line of palm trees directly into the Atlantic Ocean. Flotation gear and a "C" license minimum were required but even the less experienced jumpers were giving it a go after watching a few landings with intense interest.

A fifteen dollar registration fee entitled each jumper to wear a florescent pink wristband and to enjoy extremely generous amounts of beer, wine and munchies each evening at the cabana bar of a nearby resort located right on the Gulf of Mexico (verify). Jumps were priced at $18 and music filled the hot, tropical air as the loads were organized. The DZ bus provided transport for the 5 minute ride to the airport, a brand new facility that will be the site of future boogies. The commute wasn't an inconvenience since it offered jumpers a view of the Key's main drag, clearly placing party spots, supermarkets, and other necessities. Catching the occasional look of surprise as an automobile driver or pedestrian took in the sight of the colorful bus made the ride worthwhile for the skydivers inside, rigs bouncing on their laps!

The Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce extended the invitation in an effort to bolster business and attract tourists during the lull that precedes the beginning of the new year. The benefit to skydivers was mutual as they enjoyed "off season" rates for lodging, dining, and fun activities. Marathon is known as the "Heart of the Keys" since it is located roughly midway between the beginning of the Keys and their termination at Key West.

In the event of weather that curtails skydiving, there is no shortage of fun things to do, all in close proximity to the boogie's location. Sport fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, bar hopping, para-sailing, all the traditional Keys activities, await enthusiastic tourists.

The jumpers enjoyed the warm, decadent climate on the first day of the event, and many impressive formations were built. "It was some of the best organizing I've ever done," said Craig Buxton, who attributed several dives with numerous points to the high experience level of many of the attendees. Freeflying is also a mainstay and there were a lot of fun jumps made by the headdown and sitfly enthusiasts. Sitting upright was one of the best ways to take in the aerial scenery of the Keys that has been the backdrop of many action movies, including "Drop Zone" and "True Lies." For the jumper into sensory perceptions, the seven mile bridge was striking as both the old and new spans streaked off toward the southwest, straighter than straight, and faded into the soft haze before their landfalls could be seen. A lingering glance before the downwind turn afforded a tranquil vignette of sailboats moored offshore in the docile shallows.

The weather that had tormented the rest of the eastern seaboard the day before made its way in early on the second morning. At 2:30pm, the staff and what was left of the diehard jumpers called it a day and headed down to Key West. Arriving in plenty of time to enjoy the famous sunset on Mallory Square, skydivers later converged on the huge assortment of bars and taverns accustomed to revelry and debauchery on a perpetual basis. One of the most famous tee-shirts available on Duval Street proudly boasts, "So Many Bars - So Little Time!" Skydivers will find they can easily blend into the spirit of this party town Not quite ready to let their weekend turn into a huge beer fest, a group of jumpers contacted a dive shop and organized a night excursion out to the dark and silent reefs. They were not disappointed as the creatures of the night made ghostly and sometimes toothy appearances in front of the underwater lights. If you come to the Keys looking for an adventure, you are sure to find it - one way or the other!"

"The Chamber loved us and they want us to come back," said Grimwade. "It'll be great if we can have the boogie at the airport next year, so we don't have to use the bus, but the campground was a great place because it was scary! I think this boogie will be a success because everyone loves to come to the Keys and the locals are so enthusiastic and hospitable."

Skydive Sebastian negotiated discount rates at a few local hotels, making the weekend boogie quite affordable, even compared to the off season rates. And Marathon is just an hour south of Miami, driving at a leisurely pace along the Keys' Overland Highway. Competitive airfare to such a major airport can bring this winter fantasy into your range next year, when you would otherwise find yourself cooped up against the cold, harsh weather. Consider exploring the exotic tropics that are in your own back yard and join the fun next year, when Skydive Sebastian host its 2nd Annual Florida Keys Boogie!