California Jumping

[PLFXpert 0]

Us loyal & royal east-coasters will be hitting the west coast (San Diego) for a week this December. I'm so excited! I've only spent time in LA & the hills and never enough time to sight-see when I was there.

Anywho...being that I've only jumped in Florida, I don't think I can pass up the opportunity to see the view 15k up on the other side of the nation.

There are so many DZs that will be near. So brag away California jumpers and we'll see who convinces me their DZ is the one I MUST go to.

Plus, I don't even know who jumps at what DZ so I'll also be judging on who I want to meet more.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[SkydiveStMarys 0]

"I'll also be judging on who I want to meet more"


Thats soooo wrong.

Bobbi

A miracle is not defined by an event. A miracle is defined by gratitude.

[skybytch 273]

Which week in December? The week after Xmas I'll be in Perris jumping the jet.

If you can, jump at San Diego, Perris and Elsinore while you're out here. Perris and Elsinore are about an hour north of San Diego and about 20 minutes apart; you can jump at both in one day.

[PLFXpert 0]

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Which week in December?

12/16-12/22.

It's tentative whether we will jump or not. We have a free day in our schedule right now and that is what we'd both love to do. I'm a little nervous, though, about traveling with my gear. I know people do it all the time, but I've also heard horror stories and I can't decide if it's worth the risk or not. I can just see some idiot luggage loader going through my bags and popping my reserve or pulling my cypress pin or something stupid.

Um...it case it's not obvious, I'm a bit of a worrier sometimes.

If I could afford it I'd be flying private jet everywhere b/c I just don't trust the airlines anymore; can't lock my bags, can't bring liquids on the plane that I can't fit into one zip lock baggie; I can't stand the idea of someone's dirty hands rummaging though my unlocked bags, or worse, somebody stealing something. I'm quite certain I'll be looking like a big bum no matter where I travel now, b/c I don't want to pack my goodies.


Billy mentioned Perris & Elsinore, too being that they're so close. I really love small DZs though as in my experience it's more "homey". Is San Diego a smaller DZ I assume?

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[PLFXpert 0]

Oh, also, anything anyone recommend we absolutely do not miss seeing?

We've got a lot of fun planned (but are not trying to squeeze in too much as that would defeat the purpose of a "relaxing vacation").

I'm a nature freak, so I love things like kayaking, rappeling, etc. We've got a little of that planned already but those types of things are much more fun to me than just walking around the city. But we will do a little of that, too.

If you had to pick one museum to visit, which would you choose?

OK...too many questions out there now.

Billy has family there that we haven't seen in a long time so we'll be stopping in to see them, too.

Sorry for questions overload. When I travel mostly it's always on the East Coast; anywhere up to NY down through the Carribean. It's like my little bubble.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[NWFlyer 2]

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I can just see some idiot luggage loader going through my bags and popping my reserve or pulling my cypress pin or something stupid.

This is why you carry your rig on.

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Billy mentioned Perris & Elsinore, too being that they're so close. I really love small DZs though as in my experience it's more "homey". Is San Diego a smaller DZ I assume?

I have not jumped at San Diego, so I can't comment on it, but Elsinore is a bigger DZ with a small DZ vibe. It's easy to feel right at home. (Case in point: I show up there Sunday morning, unannounced, and am finishing updating my paperwork in the office. John Hamilton - the DZO - comes out of his office, spots me, and the first words out of his mouth are "Holy crap!" and I get a huge hug. That doesn't usually happen at DZs of that size.)

As for museums, if you're going up to LA, everyone will rave about the Getty Center. Yes, it's cool, but it's more about the architecture and the setting. LA County Museum of Art is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated big city art museums out there. No one talks much about it, but it's a really great museum.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[ltdiver 3]

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The week after Xmas I'll be in Perris jumping the jet.

Whoo Hoo, the bytch is in town!
ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[cocheese 0]

Leave the computer at home,
Bring all your gear as carry on.
Do a few high pulls at each dz.
Smile.

[PLFXpert 0]

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As for museums, if you're going up to LA, everyone will rave about the Getty Center. Yes, it's cool, but it's more about the architecture and the setting. LA County Museum of Art is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated big city art museums out there. No one talks much about it, but it's a really great museum

This is why I like you.

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This is why you carry your rig on.

Are you still allowed to? I wasn't sure. I thought there was a limit now on how big carry-ons could be and only 1 carry-on per person (I refuse to check my bag w/ my wallet & valuables in it).

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[NWFlyer 2]

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This is why you carry your rig on.

Are you still allowed to? I wasn't sure. I thought there was a limit now on how big carry-ons could be and only 1 carry-on per person (I refuse to check my bag w/ my wallet & valuables in it).

Yes, I just did last night. You get a carry-on and a "personal item." Usually I can get away with my rig bag (a carry-on size roller bag), my laptop bag (a backpack) *and* my purse (which is not a huge one). Delta gets a little anal about the purse and sometimes makes me stick it inside one of the other bags.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[PLFXpert 0]

I never bring my computer. And I keep my phone off.

When I break, I BREAK! It can be hard. Most sales reps bring their phones with them and will still take calls when they're skiing or whatever. NOT ME!

I bust bootie when I'm working and then I play hard & really break from work when I vacation.
I am not a slave to my blackberry, computer, etc.; never have been.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[PLFXpert 0]

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Usually I can get away with my rig bag (a carry-on size roller bag), my laptop bag (a backpack) *and* my purse (which is not a huge one).

It's your charm, Krisanne.

I used to fly ALL the time but haven't in a while. First b/c most everywhere we've traveled recently are just weekend trips and w/in a 10-hour driving radius (or boat).

In the meantime I've heard all the airlines have gone to shit...that's the only thing I'm not looking forward to is the flight.

When I was younger I strickly flew Delta. It was the best and I was always spoiled. Now I hear Delta sucks, pardon my french. I'm trying really hard to be a trooper and go w/ the flow about it. I have some travel perks (via AMEX), but being that I don't travel for my work, my travel perks are limited and I really don't plan on wasting a bunch of hard-earned money that I could spend having fun on the flights; still, I don't want to be flying "Take-A-Chance Airlines" either.

I hate that I don't know these things anymore; ie: which airline is better and why.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[cocheese 0]

You need to relax. I'm serial. Step away from the keyboard and go meditate for a few. OOhhhmmmm.

[PLFXpert 0]

Billy says the same thing, of course. But he doesn't worry about anything ever. So, I have to worry about the details, which is fine b/c I probably would anyways even if I knew he was.

I'll relax once everything is purchased and done b/c then there's no point in worrying anymore when I'm already locked in to what I decided.
That will be happening really soon, thank goodness.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[NWFlyer 2]

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I hate that I don't know these things anymore; ie: which airline is better and why.

It's easy. Most of them suck.

The big six all suck in their own way. I'd say in descending order: United, American, Delta, USAirways, Northwest. Of course, on a scale of 1-10, United would be about a 4 and Northwest would be a 1, so we're not talking high-quality product for any of them. I haven't flown Continental in forever, so I can't comment on them, but I've heard they're not bad these days.

Most of my west coast travel is on Alaska, which I would put at about a 6 or 7.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[PLFXpert 0]

We heard great things about Jet Blue but the only departure time on our departure day does not work for us....not even close.

I don't think Alaska is an option from Florida.

It was between Continental, United & American for the dates/package we're doing so I feel a little better that those are the best of the worst.

Just say a little prayer for me.......



I get through that which I'm not stoked about by being a bit overly dramatic and sarcastic about it which thankfully Billy finds hilarious & charming. I will likely make fun of everything from the ramp to enter the plane to who knows and make myself & Billy laugh about it. I have to laugh...or I'll cry. 'Tis better to laugh & make fun, then be miserable, I say.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[NWFlyer 2]

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We heard great things about Jet Blue but the only departure time on our departure day does not work for us....not even close.

Oh yeah, I have heard great things about them.

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I don't think Alaska is an option from Florida.

Surprisingly it is, they have nonstops from Seattle to Orlando and Seattle to Miami. You'd have to connect in Seattle to go to California, though, which is a bit silly.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[PLFXpert 0]

I will look into that.

We do not live in Orlando, but leaving from Orlando is an option. The night before we'll be in Tampa so Orlando isn't far from there and isn't too far from home when we return.

Hmm......Maybe we can fly Jet Blue there and Alaska home.

Yes!

I will see if that works.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[NWFlyer 2]

Go with whatever's the most convenient and the best deal. Alaska is better than the others but not by enough to create a weird routing or pay a lot more. However, from what I've heard about Jet Blue, it might be worth some hassle.

But seriously, as others have said, CHILL! You could just take some Ambien and snooze through the whole flight, then it won't matter who you're flying.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[PLFXpert 0]

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Go with whatever's the most convenient and the best deal.

That's the plan.

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CHILL!

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[monkycndo 0]

Check AirTran. You can get some killer deals.

50 donations so far. Give it a try.

You know you want to spank it
Jump an Infinity

[PLFXpert 0]

We've been playing with numbers via all ways to travel when you'll need a flight, hotel & car; best quality for best value. It seems the package deal really is the best way to go. American Airlines it is!

JetBlue would have been my first choice but we'd have had to cut our vacation short by a day to return which we sort-of already did by leaving a day later than we wanted to due to an awesome opportunity that Friday that I just can't miss.

Sooo....we got everything we wanted except the ideal airline, but it will be fine. I can suck it up.

I think the rule is you can't board the flight buzzed but you can get buzzed while you're on it, right? Should there not be any entertainment provided, I'm sure I'll provide it myself.
Speaking of Alaska, Krisanne (I did just check their website)...my Alaska vacation was one of my most memorable and enjoyable by far. If you like nature and something different, I highly recommend it!

I always think tropical when I want to vacation, so that was an amazing change. We'll be headed to Colorado this March/April'ish which is sort of (but not really) near you. Be it Elsinore or The Rockies I better meet you sometime!

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[Katzeye 0]

If you want a museum in San Diego - hit Balboa Park. They have everything from botanical to fine art and it's righ there in SD!

As for DZ's the big-3 are of course Skydive San Diego in Otay (was my home dz for a bit), Elsinore (great, great, great people), and Perris (skydiving nirvana complete with bar)

I like all 3 and they are all very different, each in their own good way.

Don't forget to take a walk on the beach and through Coronado Island either! Quaff a brewski at McP's Pub, tell Scotty I said "hi"

Is a chicken omelette redundant?

[PLFXpert 0]

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Elsinore (great, great, great people),

So, far this one's winning.

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Don't forget to take a walk on the beach

We're staying on the beach when we go, and we live just .75 mi off the beach (different ocean) and yet I still never get tired of walking on the beach.
McPs, Scotty, hello. Got it.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[guppie01 0]

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Elsinore DZ.com'ers?

Me
Rosa
Mel
Sydemon2
Shermanator
Benji
Skylord
Geno
Alora (can't remember her DZ.com name)
Champu

more.......

g

"Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?"
Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU
OMG, is she okay?