Visitreno

[john]

Side note: This was my first trip out of Reno for quite a while, thanks to that damn home detention bracelet.

The adventure actually started in T.G.I.Fridays in Reno. Marlene and I went there for lunch and saw a video on a large screen TV above the sports bar. It was a promotion for Vegas Indoor Skydiving. We decided it was a good idea and made flight and car reservations the next day.

We got into town at 9:00 am on Wednesday, November 12 and went directly to the Clarion Emerald Springs Hotel. Since I built their website a few years ago, the room was comped for three nights. Because Marlene works nights and had been up for almost 24 hours, she went to the room for a nap. The GM and I retired to the bar for a few too many Heinekens after which I also took a nap. That night, we went downtown for the Freemont Experience. Whoever makes those videos has some really good drugs.

Thursday, we had reservations to do the flightlines (ziplines) through Bootleg Canyon near Boulder City. We got there way too early, so drove around Hoover Dam for a while. After that, we went to the Flightline office, got into our harnesses and were trucked to the flightlines. There was a young couple as part of our party and the instructors were also kinda young. We were the only people in the group over 30. Kinda felt like babysitters. At the canyon, it's a short walk to the training run, which is 880 feet and gives you a feel for the ride and lets you practice the three positions you'll need: One to go fast, another to slow down and the third for the landing. After that, they trucked us up to the first run, which is about a 50 yard climb up a trail that seemed like about 27 miles to me. Once there, we were hooked up to the cable and the adventure began. I thought it strange we weren't issued helmets, but after the first run, I realized that if you fell on the rocks below, the only function a helmet would serve would be to make it easier to find your head.

The lines vary in length from 1100 feet to 2550 feet, during which you can reach speeds in excess of 50 mph. And the entire ordeal lasts about 2.5 hours. The landing is kinda rough, but I like it rough. I've posted some photos of the adventure on http://visitreno.com/john - Since Marlene was the official photographer, she doesn't appear in any photos. Cost of the ride: $149 plus a $40 tip to the "guides". Here's a youtube link to other people on the lines:

Vegas radio personalities on the lines: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4wOSKaX6SI

After the flightlines, we took a short helicopter ride around the dam and the damn Lake Mead. It was cool, but the pilot wouldn't let me fly the chopper. No tip for him! Cost: $59 each plus a $20 tip for the pilot.

That evening we went up the Stratosphere tower. After watching the people on the rides, we decided not to do them. No one was screaming, laughing or even smiling - where's the fun in that?

Friday was our airborne experience. Vegas Indoor Skydiving is located on Convention Center Dr. about a block off the Strip. Before suiting up for the ride, we were weighed in, and were forced to sign a 2,000 page release explaining that indoor skydiving is an extremely dangerous sport, often resulting in injuries including disfigurement, dismemberment and death. It also mentioned that if any of the above occurred, they didn't want to hear about it. Then it was off the the training room for a video and more instructions than are needed to fly the space shuttle.

Next was the fitting room where we were issued oversized flight suits, earplugs, goggles and helmets. Two couples joined us: one was about our age and the other was in their 20's, and she was HOT. Almost as hot as Alison, and way, way hotter than Jerry. Just looking at her was almost worth the price of admission. Marlene disagreed with me on that issue. Four of us went into the wind tunnel and took turns flying. An experienced person can do some pretty amazing stuff in the tunnel. We had to be held and guided throughout. We each got 3 flights, each lasting about one minute. Cost: $75 per person plus a $10 tip for the instructor.

Since we couldn't take a camera into the wind tunnel, we have no pictures of us flying around, but here's a youtube link showing what it's like.

Indoor skydiving: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvvJQybV_bE&NR=1

After the skydiving, we drove out to Buffalo Bill's Casino in Primm to ride the Desperado, a very big roller coaster. This was the only disappointment in the trip. The damn thing was closed due to wind, so we drove back to Vegas, empty, broken and depressed. On the way down the Strip, we noticed the Belagio fountains and watched them for about an hour and a half. You see, we're easily entertained.

Saturday was departure day. After breakfast, we went back to the hotel and packed up our stuff, all the towels, bedsheets and coffee pot (the hair dryer wouldn't come off the wall) and wandered on to the airport.

After an uneventful flight, I went and got Charlie and Higgins, brought them home and took a nap.

I hope this report lived up to all the media hype.

[BC Dave]

Hey John that's a rockin', soarin', Grand-daddy of a trip report. Cool to see some pics too...but where's Marlene?

[stan_allen]

Nice try, Dave, but John pointed out that since Marlene was the photographer, she managed to escape the camera's eye.

And conveniently enough, no cameras in the skydiving thingy, so no pictures of the "HOT" half of that other couple!

Other than that, brilliant work! Now that I've lived vicariously through it, I don't have to do it myself!

[CaSwede]

Somehow I thought this was going to be a story about your adventures in a Trailer Park, but I see I was wrong.

I enjoyed your trip report, particularly about the romance and the detailed fine dining expierence.

You need to get out more often.

[jerry]

John, what a fantastic report. And very accurate.
Wish that other board members could have been with us.

I just want to say how very much my "hot young friend" and I enjoyed doing the SkyDiveThingy with you and Marlene. Maybe we can get together again for something like this. I know that Trixie Belle really enjoyed it as well and sends her best to you and Marlene.

[john]

She said her name was Bambi and yours was Sugar something.

[hawk]

John, you likely mixed the names cause you were "looking/salivating" when you should have been "listening".
Jerry would never date a bimbo called "Bambi". He goes for those lovely, blonde Southern Belles.

[sockmonkey]

I 'm leaving out the apostrophe on purpose because I know it annoys some people... heheheh...Did you know you can hear the car beep from the room. and you can hear it many times, because someone loves to play with the keys........
I read the trip report and I 'm here to add in a few details John forgot to put in. First, John makes it out like the zipline was a walk in the park on a nice Sunday afternoon..I on the other hand, thought I was going to die more then once..ok so I am a little more wussy than John but just imagine climbing up Mt Everest..Then being pushed off Niagra Falls in a barrel.. and we did this five times...
The only reason John didn't hear screaming when we went to the top of the Statosphere was I have learned to muffle my screams of terror.... Was I upset we didn't ride the rides up there?.. I'll let you guess...

The wind tunnel was a big kick .. really enjoyed that. as for the hot chick.. did nothing for me .. can't see what he saw in her.. go figure.. hehehe

He also forgot to mention the ride we did at the casino in Primm. After a big dinner of greasy fish and chips we tried to ride this motion ride that tossed us up and around.. only thing rather amusing about it was that my glasses came off and were flying around the cabinet.. after catching them we hit the "stop this ride before the lose our fish and chips" button.

I will say the fountains in front of the Bellagio was my favorite, and spending 4 days and three nights with John was a wonderful trip to remember..
For those of you who have never met John, he is always telling jokes and keeps you entertained .. Thanks my friend for a great time...

[RenoLady]

Wow!

Words fail me. And from my trip reports, we know that isn't usual. I think my favorite part was the sitting at TGIF's the day before, and making the plans for the indoor skydiving and then jumping in or out, or up, or whatever they make you do in there. Pretty cool.

[hawk]

I know "who" but I have to ask: "What" is a sockmonkey???

And: Welcome to the board!! Come back often!!

[sockmonkey]

the official information.....The old-fashioned, handcrafted sock monkey dolls made with Original Rockford Red Heel® socks from Fox River Mills have become a favorite piece of "Americana" over the years.
and I hope I have many more reason to post in this wonderful friendly forum...

[hawk]

"I hope I have many more reason to post in this wonderful friendly forum"

Well, here's two:
1. I am the "friendliest of the friendlies" in the forum.
2. Take a 3 day trip with me and you will have much to write home about. In fact, you may even write to this board.

(of course, that is ASSUMING that we decide to come back when the 3 days is over.)

[sockmonkey]

Just wondering..
1. Is the trip recommended by 4 out of 5 proctologist?
2.Will I have whiter teeth .
3.Will it cause droziness if operating heavy equipment.
4.Will I beable to work from home and make millions?
5. Are operators standing by to take my call ?
but wait is there more?

[hawk]

All Proctologists make millions, whether working at home or not.
They equally have bright teeth because of atmospheric exposure caused by smiling all the time because they really enjoy their work.
They only lift heavy equipment when dealing with the moderators of this board.

But, wait, I can't stand to hear anything more about Proctos. Gimme my blue pill while I wait by the phone for your call.

[JD]

John: Let's see.... You want to jump out of a perfectly good aircraft, slide down a rope suspended over a deep canyon, fly in a helicopter?

You DO know you could do all of those things for free? In fact, if you joined the MARINES, they might even PAY you!