Around Deland

[Squeak 17]

So the last couple of times I have been I have visited Florida i have jumped at Zhills.
This time i am looking at going to either Lake Wale or DeLand, but since I'm with my wife I want to know which of these two DZ will have the better OFF DZ activities? We'll be there mid January and I'm not familiar with either area.
Also who jumps at these DZ (i know andrea is at deland)

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[normiss 900]

Besides from getting to see the beautiful Andrea in Deland...Lake Wales is in the middle of a cow pasture - do they even jump there still? - it's a dead dz and a dead town. They roll up the sidewalks at dusk.
Deland is also a pretty small town area, but there's more to do, and it's close to Orlando should you want a nice night out.
Now WHY would you want to go anywhere besides Z-Hills is the real question.

[CSpenceFLY 1]

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(i know andrea is at deland)

What more do you really need to know?

[Squeak 17]

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Now WHY would you want to go anywhere besides Z-Hills is the real question.

I'ts Cause i have been there done that and I'm all about diversity
My wife has been to Zhills too so i think she'd like to see a little more of Fla than the High society of Zhills

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[normiss 900]

that fucking WalMart does it every time!

[jcd11235 0]

Deland is about 20-30 minutes from Daytona Beach, as well as ~45 minutes from Orlando. There's not much to do in Deland besides skydive (and hang out with friends), but there's typically quite a bit of things to do relatively close.

Deland does have a few skydiving gear manufacturers, some of which will happily give you a tour (especially recommended at PD).

I've never been to Lake Wales, so I can't compare the two places.

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[Squeak 17]

Do Deland and Lake wales operate mid week guaranteed or mostly weekends

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[jcd11235 0]

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Do Deland and Lake wales operate mid week guaranteed or mostly weekends

It's been a couple years since I lived in Deland, but in the winter it was a 7 day a week DZ. In the summer they were open everyday, but not necessarily operating all day long. It depended on how many people were there wanting to jump.

But, like I said, it's been a couple years since I lived there.

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

[RhondaLea 4]

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So the last couple of times I have been I have visited Florida i have jumped at Zhills.
This time i am looking at going to either Lake Wale or DeLand, but since I'm with my wife I want to know which of these two DZ will have the better OFF DZ activities? We'll be there mid January and I'm not familiar with either area.
Also who jumps at these DZ (i know andrea is at deland)

There are some nice restaurants in DeLand, including one that serves excellent French-Vietnamese food (Le Jardin). In addition, it's a college town, so there are cultural opportunities, if you have an interest.

My experience at the dropzone was that most people who came from a distance for a short time limited themselves to Publix, WalMart, IHOP and whatever local bar happened to be in vogue at the time. DeLand has much more to offer if you'll take the time to see it. Check the local weeklies (I seem to remember that there are two of them) for scheduled events.

Don't forget DeLeon Springs and Blue Spring State Park, neither of which are too far out of town.

Here's a link to the virtual tour of downtown:

http://www.deland.org/tour/virtual.htm

There are additional links you can follow to find out more about the town.

(If you get to the Black Market (imported clothing and other interesting items), hug Mary Jo for me.

rl

P.S. Skydive DeLand is open 365 days a year. The gear store stays open, as does the restaurant, even when it's pouring buckets (although they might close a little earlier than usual on such days if everyone goes home).

If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

[Squeak 17]

Thanks Rhonda
Who wants to come play

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[d_squared431 0]

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Thanks Rhonda
Who wants to come play

I might stop by and say hello...

For a box of TIM TAMS

TPM Sister#130ONTIG#1
I love vodka.I love vodka cause it rhymes with Tuaca~LisaH
You having a clean thought is like billyvance having a clean post.iluvtofly

[Squeak 17]

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Thanks Rhonda
Who wants to come play

I might stop by and say hello...

For a bok of TIM TAMS

You'll be cooking dinner for us

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[skymama 37]

You will be there when the manatees like to hang out in the water in the springs. They are definitely worth going to see if you've never seen them before. An airboat ride on the St. John's might be fun for you too. That's old Florida kinda of stuff, better than the tourist traps. If you want to do a theme park, go to Kennedy Space Center.

January is during "the season" for skydiving in FL. Deland should be flying every day.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[mamajumps 0]

Im a Sebastian fan.... I know it wasn't one of the options, but it is by FAR the friendliest DZ in Florida, and the being on the coast it is so pretty for jumpers and non-jumpers. Jump run usually goes up iver the inlet which makes for a pretty jump and its close to the beach for non-jumpers.

[normiss 900]

sacré bleu!

[mamajumps 0]

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sacré bleu!

why so sore at me... I really wish I felt more comfy at Zhills, it is a great DZ with a ton of amenities. Ive just never felt welcome there. From day one at Sebastian, I felt welcome.... Zhills is only minutes from my house, Words cannot even begin to express how much I wish things were different for me there....

[normiss 900]

I've never heard anyone complain about our friendliness there. I even hear it from tandem students how nice and comfy and welcoming the vibe is there. I know just about everyone there is overly welcoming of new jumpers and make that known when they show up.
Give us another shot sometime, maybe we can change your mind!

You sure it's not 'cause your man jumps in Sebas???

[mamajumps 0]

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I've never heard anyone complain about our friendliness there. I even hear it from tandem students how nice and comfy and welcoming the vibe is there. I know just about everyone there is overly welcoming of new jumpers and make that known when they show up.
Give us another shot sometime, maybe we can change your mind!

You sure it's not 'cause your man jumps in Sebas???

Denis is the one who first took me to Sebas, maybe going there with Mr. Social Butterfly himself is what made it seem so friendly. I have been back out to Zhills several times, and even took my sis there for her first tandem. Ive just never made the friends there like I instantly did at Seb.

[normiss 900]

Having an "agent" as an introducer will always make a place warmer and more welcoming.
I hated Deland until a lovely local took me under her wing and introduced me to the entire dz.
I can empathize with your perspective.
I just want you to know that Z-Hizzie is equally as friendly.

[mamajumps 0]

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Having an "agent" as an introducer will always make a place warmer and more welcoming.
I hated Deland until a lovely local took me under her wing and introduced me to the entire dz.
I can empathize with your perspective.
I just want you to know that Z-Hizzie is equally as friendly.

I just spewed iced tea all over my computer reading that, dunno why it struck me as so funny, but it did....

[wrightskyguy 1]

[futuredivot 0]

I gotta say, I stop by Zhills whenever I'm in the area because I have a customer on the airport-Now it's the middle of the day during the week and I'm not there to jump and I'm dressed to see customers, but I've run in to pick up stuff before I started going to The Farm because i didn't have a gear store near by. I can count on one finger the times someone has initiated a conversation and on one hand the "Hello's I've gotten.

You are only as strong as the prey you devour

[stitch 0]

Deland sucks for jumping, unless you enjoy being yelled at. "Don't do this!" "Don't do that".

Palatka is where it's at.

"No cookies for you"- GFD
"I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65
Don't be a "Racer Hater"

[normiss 900]

loose the tie maybe???

[futuredivot 0]

We'ere pretty relaxed-khakis and golf shirt

You are only as strong as the prey you devour