Need Advice... NYC trip next week

[SudsyFist 0]

Hey all,
I've gotta be in NYC on Thursday (18 Apr) next week, and I'm considering just making a long weekend out of the trip. In which case, I've got record shopping (YES!!!), theatre, and museum visits on the agenda.
Now, if I just so happen to get the URGE to JUMP (1. Where should I go (Ranch? X-Keys? ???) and why?
2. Whose smiling dz.com faces will I see there?
3. How's the temp at alititude (I'm a spoiled San Diegan -- shorts/tees are my norm at Perris...)?
We'll need to take into consideration that I'll need to rent gear (I'm 6'3", ~210lbs, 190's are my ride), as I'm only able to bring the bare essentials (helmet, goggles, alti, etc.).
Whaddya think?
Steve

[Keith 0]

Don't know about DZs but go see the Met! My friends had to drag me kicking and screaming from that place.
Keith

[SudsyFist 0]

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Don't know about DZs but go see the Met! My friends had to drag me kicking and screaming from that place.

I'm a HUGE fan of the Met!!! I visit the city every couple of months or so, but usually only for a day (work) -- not enough time to do much. August, I think, was the last time I could take a weekend to enjoy the city... camped all night on the street for tix to the Shakespeare in the Park production of The Seagull (Kevin Kline and Meryl Streep... OMG!), spent 6 hours in the Met (massive decorative painting exhibit w/Denis, Roussel, Bonnard, etc.), danced my ass off (Limelight ROCKS!)...
Was supposed to make it to the Ranch that Sunday to spectate the swoop comp, but three straight days of serious sleep deprivation caught up with us. So what's the latest exhibition at the Met? Anyone know?
Steve

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

Report directly to The Blue Sky Ranch in Gardiner, NY and be happy. It's not a bad drive and it's beautiful up there in the Shawangunk mountains. Tons of nightlife in New Paltz. I have been to The Ranch three times now and love it.
Chuck
My webpage HERE

[Jimbo 0]

Both The Ranch and CrossKeys are top notch DZ's. The Ranch probably has a prettier view, but at this point I'll promise you that CK has faster aircraft. They're both about 2 hours from the city. You'll have fun at both, no doubt.
They're both great dropzones, in the end I guess it's up to you.
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Jim

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

OK, then let me put it this way, as I have been to both X-Keys and The Ranch. If the apres-skydiving scene is what you seek, since they both have multiple turbine aircraft which run from nearly sun-up to sundown, then go to The Ranch. Last time I was at X-keys, the Tiki Bar and entire DZ was deserted at midnight on a Saturday night, leaving five of us there staring at TWO un-tapped free kegs of beer. (people leave and go somewhere else to party). At midnight at The Ranch on any Saturday night there will be not less than 45 people around the bonfire and a good number of those people will still be standing there when the sun comes up. I also like the fact that the tandem factory at The Ranch is farther away from the general skydiving than at X-keys. I had a "good" time at both places, but definitely prefer the ambiance of The Ranch.
Once again, I think they are both fine dropzones and you may have time to visit both. If you do not, then just decide what it is that brings you to and keeps you on a dropzone and decide from there.
Chuck
My webpage HERE

[rendezvous 0]

If you don't want to drive out that far there's Sky's the Limit and Skydive Jersey Shore and Skydive Sussex. Sky's the limit being the bigger one of the three. They have a Caravan. All three of these are in NJ and withen one hour of driving distance from Manhattan.

[flyhi 24]

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All three of these are in NJ and withen one hour of driving distance from Manhattan.

You kiddin' me? There's places in Manhattan that aren't within an hour's driving distance of Manhattan!!
If you get the chance, Jeremy's Ale House under the Brooklyn Bridge (Manhattan side) on a Friday afternoon is a great place. Styrofoam (tree huggers take note) "buckets" of beer and a lot of people. The boys and girls from Wall Street show up to celebrate or commiserate the results of the days. And a bunch of other people fill out the place. The place slows down early (~9:00 PM) cause everyone has to get back to Westchester, or wherever, so you are ready for Saturday AM. Good place.
flyhi
"Marge, I'm coming to bed & I've been watching women's volleyball on ESPN."

[weid14 0]

NYC - home of Puck Fair and the Village Idiot -- two must stops on the trip -- Puck fair has a skydiver (Pauly) who bartends, and at times there is a pretty good crowd of jumpers there.
If you need to rent gear you'll probably have to rent from Marcus at Pier (the Ranch). Call him ahead of time as his selectin is limited at this time of the year. The Ranch rocks, they'll have two otters. THe only thing you have to worry about is that it is further North, a little colder, and the winds will be a lot funkier than some where else.
Cross Keys - skyvan, otter , caravan -- all fast. Square three has demo's (call ahead to reserve one). Will be warmer and typically less turbulent winds (spring in the northeast, gotta love it). Chuck -- you been to the new tiki bar? People definately hanging out later there now.
Either place is worth the drive.

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

Weid,
yep, I was there right before it was renamed in honor of Bill Ottley. I shit you not, there were two whole pony kegs sitting in the sand right beside the Tiki Bar when the place emptied. My wife and I were floored, but did our best to keep up the southern tradition of not stopping till we were definitely THROUGH. The DZ was packed all weekend, but the late night scene really disappointed me. You guys will have to change my mind on the next trip through. I was talking to Johnny Mulford this afternoon about him going up for a couple of weeks and doing AFF and hauling meat. I may try to come with him.
My webpage HERE

[Jimbo 0]

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NYC - home of Puck Fair and the Village Idiot -- two must stops on the trip -- Puck fair has a skydiver (Pauly) who bartends, and at times there is a pretty good crowd of jumpers there.

Sometimes I really miss living in NYC. The Villiage Idiot used to my Tuesday night hangout, Costume night made it special, well, not as special as Chandra and Jenn _wearing_ the custumes, but you get the idea.
Pauly used to work (at least briefly) at another bar, the Red Rock West, where I could be found almost any night but Tueday. The bartenders at RRW are good at whipping the crowd into a frenzy - it's a party _every_ night, and one of those bars where Stacy wouldn't get thrown out for dancing on the bar.
Never been to Puck Fair and that surprises me a bit.
How I miss NYC.

[Jimbo 0]

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was talking to Johnny Mulford this afternoon about him going up for a couple of weeks and doing AFF and hauling meat. I may try to come with him.

Just let us know when you're coming up Chuck.
-
Jim

[Stacy 0]

i've NEVER been thrown out of a NYC bar. hard to believe, and i can't say the same for Philly and Baltimore,
when is memorial day? i got my plane tickets, watch out cross keys, stacy's coming back... heehee.....
Stacy
http://users.snip.net/~stacy

[Jimbo 0]

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i've NEVER been thrown out of a NYC bar.

I have.

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[weid14 0]

alright, should be fun!!!