Shoot-out Attendees, Please Read & Reply! Vegas to Bryce Transportatoin

[grannyrobin]

We want to check to see that everyone who needs a ride from Vegas to Bryce has a ride. So... I'm going to post what we know so far about rides and riders. I've got lots of stuff I just don't know about. I really don't want to get a weekend message from a certain photographer, a message along the lines of "Can't you count, granny?" I'm hoping you'll help me out here.

VEGAS TO BRYCE CANYON DRIVERS AND RIDERS LIST

Nik is renting an AWD. Riders include Mike Lane, Michiel de Brieder, and Kudbegud. Right? (Yes, confirmed by Andy).

Andy has a Mini-van - + 4 (or 5)

Virginia Bonesteel - + 3 (Maxine Niblock and 2 more)

Dragon - + 5 (CWPhotos, Bob Bell, nwilkins, Ann McRae, Gluwater)

Jeremy & Lars Olsen + 2

CatOne, Paola + 2

Which brings me to my main question: which of the following people could use a ride from Vegas to Bryce?





Tony DeJoie and Mrs. DeJoie
Adam Grim and Kendall.
Denny Cox.
Matt Updenkelder.


I'd really like to know first whether each person needs a ride. Secondly whether each person knows right now that they have a ride.

If anyone's clueless, who cares? Just say so. If my listing is botched, just say that, too. I'd much, much rather find out sooner than later.

Wishing each of you a very fun trip...
-grannyrobin

[Flyinggina]

I have rented a car and will be bringing Maxine Niblock with me from Vegas. We can probably take one more person comfortably. Maxine is doing the post-shoot shoot and I will be returning to Vegas from Zion on Sunday May 21 - so far without passengers.

Virginia Bonesteel

[ehughes]

Ed Hughes and Mrs. Hughes. + Connie

We're actually going to be traveling around a bit before the shootout and we'll be at Bryce the day before everyone else.

We're covered...

[Andy]

I have rented a car and will be bringing Maxine Niblock with me from Vegas. We can probably take one more person comfortably. Maxine is doing the post-shoot shoot and I will be returning to Vegas from Zion on Sunday May 21 - so far without passengers.

Virginia Bonesteel

We might cram 2 :deal Get cozy, girls!
I think we could auction off the seats next to our four ladies - :lol3

[Andy]

REMEMBER: EVERYONE is chipping in and sharing the costs of the cars on this trip. Riders *and* drivers.

[Bob Bell]

I thought we were riding with Gary aka Dragon300z. He has given me an approximate cost, etc....

[Mike Lane]

I'm a little out of the loop at this point, but I was under the assumption that the RV that Nik was renting was for the post-shootout. I'll have to get spun back up if not.

If it is for the shootout and the post-shootout, I'm with Nik. If not, I've got a prius with room for 2 or 3 others with a small amount of bags.

[dragon300zx]

I thought we were riding with Gary aka Dragon300z. He has given me an approximate cost, etc....

No worries bob your covered. Check the list of names after "Dragon". This is mainly for the names in the second list that aren't accounted for.

[Dani]

I won't be going to vegas... I'm arriving at Bryce a day early (16th) up from NM/AZ so I'm covered.

[davev]

Kate and I are driving in from parts unknown to Bryce and going to parts
unknown after the shoot. (we're driving from Mn.)

We're taking the Subaru so the back seat in really tight. While we're jumping
between the parks we should be able to help out with a ride.

[DavidTO]

DavidTO and aeronut are driving straight up from LA area to Bryce, to arrive on the 16th.

[pathfinder]

Pathfinder and Nightingale and Rutt will be arriving Bryce, Wednesday afternoon from Escalante Utah.

We will not be in Las Vegas before or after the shootout.

[GREAPER]

Editha and I are renting a car in Vegas. After the shootout we are heading west to death valley.

ANy transport assistance we can give will only be one way...

[Andy]

Editha and I are renting a car in Vegas. After the shootout we are heading west to death valley.

ANy transport assistance we can give will only be one way...

And how many can you take from LV to Bryce? :ear

[CatOne]

And how many can you take from LV to Bryce? :ear

Paola and I will have a car. We could take 1 more... possibly 2.

We are staying 4 nights at Zion, though, so I'm not sure we wouldn't leave someone stranded.

[Andy]

Paola and I will have a car. We could take 1 more... possibly 2.

We are staying 4 nights at Zion, though, so I'm not sure we wouldn't leave someone stranded.

Bill, you'll have a car in Vegas? And can take 1 (possibly 2) to Bryce? Just being clear...

[Nikolai]

Nik is renting an AWD. Riders include Mike Lane, Michiel de Brieder, and Kudbegud. Right? (Yes, confirmed by Andy).


Well, for the shootout I'm renting a large sedan (e.g. Ford Taurus) early morning Wed 17th at LV airport (Hertz) and leaving it at St.George Sunday morning. And the abovementioned gentlemen are riding with me.

However, is somebody else needs a ride AND is OK with this schedule, I can definitely get a larger vehicle (van) - on the condition that this person will be able to return it to LV on his/her own. If that be the case please let me know ASAP.

Starting Sunday we're getting RV plus Path is joining us in his vehicle.. Jack is assumed to ride with us on RV, but since he'd have his Acura anyway (by default leaving it parked in St.George for the duration of the Post-shootout Lake Powel trip), that can be discussed also...

[digital_gopher]

Lars and I are planning on renting a car in LV on 5/16 and returning Sunday in time for a 6 pm flight. Should have room for 1 or 2 more people.

Jeremy

[tonyd]

Ok, I just noticed this new (new to me) thread and I suppose I need to determine real soon if I can get a ride or should rent a car. I arrive in LV on Tuesday afternoon and will be departing from LV early afternoon on Monday May 22.

[CatOne]

Bill, you'll have a car in Vegas? And can take 1 (possibly 2) to Bryce? Just being clear...

Correct. Once they're in Bryce they'd be on their own.

[Andy]

Correct. Once they're in Bryce they'd be on their own.
I'm not following that last part -
We're all sort of expecting that all seats in all cars will be filled up as we head out on our photo excursions... And all the riders will be bringing cash for car $$$ sharing.

Yeah?

[Nikolai]

I'm not following that last part -
We're all sort of expecting that all seats in all cars will be filled up as we head out on our photo excursions... And all the riders will be bringing cash for car $$$ sharing.

Yeah?

Just to make sure:

Bryce has a very nice free shuttle system (much better than Yosemite's)that runs a bus every 10-15 min. Really no need for a car UNLESS: we're going too early/too late, or outside the park borders. Also note: after hours there may be no place to park the car AFAIK, which kinda renders using it useless. We had to walk about a mile from the place we were staying to get to the sunrise point.

Excursions outside Bryce is a different story, but I don't think we all gonna take them at the same time. Afterall, we came to see Bryce, didn't we? :wink

Zion: private vehicles are NOT allowed inside Zion Canyon, period. Only park's own natural gas-operated shuttles (also about every 15 minutes throughout the day). Again, excursions outside the canyon is a different story (see above).

HTH

[Steve Cavigliano]

Granny,
No need to worry about me. I sent Andy an email on the 1st, informing him that for a number of reasons I will be unable to attend :cry

I hope everyone has a blast. Knowing how well you SM folks set these up, that's almost guaranteed :D My biggest regret is that I will miss meeting all the Dgrinners that will be there. Oh wellll.......


Steve

PS; whoever gets selected to be Andy's roomie should make sure that they bring earplugs :lol3 Not that Andy snores much, he just talks about food in his sleep :lol

[Mike Lane]

Well, for the shootout I'm renting a large sedan (e.g. Ford Taurus) early morning Wed 17th at LV airport (Hertz) and leaving it at St.George Sunday morning. And the abovementioned gentlemen are riding with me.

However, is somebody else needs a ride AND is OK with this schedule, I can definitely get a larger vehicle (van) - on the condition that this person will be able to return it to LV on his/her own. If that be the case please let me know ASAP.

Starting Sunday we're getting RV plus Path is joining us in his vehicle.. Jack is assumed to ride with us on RV, but since he'd have his Acura anyway (by default leaving it parked in St.George for the duration of the Post-shootout Lake Powel trip), that can be discussed also...

Hoo boy, now I'm confused. So I'm riding for the shootout in the rented vehicle? If so then my prius will be parked in Vegas and I therefore won't be able to drive anyone. Clarification and schedule please Nik...:ear

[Nikolai]

Hoo boy, now I'm confused. So I'm riding for the shootout in the rented vehicle? If so then my prius will be parked in Vegas and I therefore won't be able to drive anyone. Clarification and schedule please Nik...:ear

Since you were opposed to the idea of leaving your prius in St.George, like, say, Calfeerider (which is totally your call and I have zero grudge with that), we could not use your prius as a transportation mean en route LV - Bryce - Zion - St.George, hence we had to arrange for a rental car, hence you could as well ride with us...:): Anyway - call me if still confused...:D

[Mike Lane]

Since you were opposed to the idea of leaving your prius in St.George, like, say, Calfeerider (which is totally your call and I have zero grudge with that), we could not use your prius as a transportation mean en route LV - Bryce - Zion - St.George, hence we had to arrange for a rental car, hence you could as well ride with us...:): Anyway - call me if still confused...:D

Okay got it. Man it's been a while. Am I all settled up as far as cash goes? One request for a bit of a change of itenerary. I'd like to park my car at Nellis AFB for the duration of the shootout/post shootout. What are the chances that someone could either drive me from nellis to the motel 6 or that you guys could pick me up at the Nellis front gate (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=36.240587+-115.054250+%28Nellis+AFB+Main+Gate%29&ll=36.217133,-115.20298&spn=0.190567,0.43396&t=h&om=1)? If it isn't possible I'll just take a cab, but it'll cost $40 or $50 for that so I'd rather not if I don't have to.

So lemme get all this straight. Depart Vegas at 0830 on the 17th, do the bryce/zion thing then stop in st george when we're done to pick up the party wagon. Do our post shootout shootout thing and then drop the RV off in Vegas? And then go on our merry ways from there. Is that about right?

[Nikolai]

Okay got it. Man it's been a while. Am I all settled up as far as cash goes? One request for a bit of a change of itenerary. I'd like to park my car at Nellis AFB for the duration of the shootout/post shootout. What are the chances that someone could either drive me from nellis to the motel 6 or that you guys could pick me up at the Nellis front gate (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=36.240587+-115.054250+%28Nellis+AFB+Main+Gate%29&ll=36.217133,-115.20298&spn=0.190567,0.43396&t=h&om=1)? If it isn't possible I'll just take a cab, but it'll cost $40 or $50 for that so I'd rather not if I don't have to.

So lemme get all this straight. Depart Vegas at 0830 on the 17th, do the bryce/zion thing then stop in st george when we're done to pick up the party wagon. Do our post shootout shootout thing and then drop the RV off in Vegas? And then go on our merry ways from there. Is that about right?

Your front gate is almost exactly on our way to Bryce, so I can easily pick you up (as well as anybody else who starts in Vegas:-).

You're pretty much on the money with everything else except the last part. We drop RV at St.Geroge, Jack gets his MDX and we losers take a shuttle to LV. *Then* we go our merry ways (Michiel, Kudbegud and me are spending the night in the same Motel 6, or shall I say, on the Strip:-). Or, maybe, Jack gives us a ride to LV (Jack - we gonna pay cash:-).

[GREAPER]

Sorry it took so long to get back to this thread but Editha and I have been so busy we have not talked about our plans even though we made them months ago.

We arrive in Vegas in the afternnon on the 16th. We are not spending the night there.

We leave from there and spend the night at the Seven Wives Inn-St George Utah . We will be meeting up with the group on the 17th.

I doubt that fits with anyone elses plans, but let me know.

[David_S85]

Diana and I have a small rental car mostly filled with us and the luggage. We're not traveling to or from Vegas. We'll meet everyone at Ruby's. We do have room for one person if need be between Bryce and Zion.

Looks like we're down to 46 now, if I'm countng accurately. :cry

[CatOne]

I'm not following that last part -
We're all sort of expecting that all seats in all cars will be filled up as we head out on our photo excursions... And all the riders will be bringing cash for car $$$ sharing.

Yeah?

That's fine. I guess what I'm saying is we are staying a couple extra nights in Bryce, so can't provide any transport back to Vegas... will be hanging out with my folks.

[CalfeeRider]

Your front gate is almost exactly on our way to Bryce, so I can easily pick you up (as well as anybody else who starts in Vegas:-).

You're pretty much on the money with everything else except the last part. We drop RV at St.Geroge, Jack gets his MDX and we losers take a shuttle to LV. *Then* we go our merry ways (Michiel, Kudbegud and me are spending the night in the same Motel 6, or shall I say, on the Strip:-). Or, maybe, Jack gives us a ride to LV (Jack - we gonna pay cash:-).

Hey Nik, I'm already on the road and in Southern AZ this evening to shoot the saguaro's that are - hopefully - in bloom so I have limited email access. We may need to play the ride back from St George to LV by ear. My g/f will be in LV visiting her folks and depending on what their plans are may affect what I end up doing. So unless reservations for the shuttle are required, we can discuss more as the week progresses and things shake out - who needs a ride where etc.

[Bob Bell]

Hey Nik, I'm already on the road and in Southern AZ this evening to shoot the saguaro's that are - hopefully - in bloom so I have limited email access. We may need to play the ride back from St George to LV by ear. My g/f will be in LV visiting her folks and depending on what their plans are may affect what I end up doing. So unless reservations for the shuttle are required, we can discuss more as the week progresses and things shake out - who needs a ride where etc.

They have been blooming for at least a week. If you want some good thrasher / bloom shots come up I-10 north from tuscon. To east on 60. Exit on Greenfield go south 2 miles to guadalupe and turn left. About a 1/4 mile on the right is the Riparian Institute. Ton of Suquaro with Gila Woodpeckers and Thashers. That area is in gilbert AZ.

[Nikolai]

I made a few calls to both canyons and received some feedback.
Situation seems to be a bit better than I initially thought.

Bryce.

While shuttles only operate during certain reasonable hours, the park is open 24x7 and there is no closure on parking spots (which does not mean they can't be full:-).
They are in between two schedules (winter/summer), so I guess we'll get exact shuttle info when we to the Ruby's. At any rate, with Bryce being fairly small and open, a transportation between points is not gonna be a problem at all - we can use either cars or shuttles, whatever is more convenient.

Zion.

As I mentioned before, Zion itself is normally off-limits for private vehicles.
Now the good news: since we're staying in the Lodge, we will get special "Red Permits" that will allow us to enter the Zion Scenic Route and drive freely anywhere anytime - at least up to the Lodge (which is about 1/3 into the park). So if our point of interest is before Lodge we're kinda covered (caveat: not many parking spaces along the road anyway).
Lady I was talking to informed me that NO private vehicle goes further than the lodge. However, she suggested that we talk to the Lodge staff and they maybe can help with the shuttles.
Shuttles start 6:45 am and last one sweeps the canyon about 10 pm. Sunset there is about 7 pm, so from this point we're covered by shuttles. However, the sunrise is gonna be 7:04 am, so the 6:45 am first shuttle will be a pretty close call. The alternative could be renting some bikes and walk a few miles down the road if we want to get to some specific location beyond the lodge.

In any case it looks like we can sort the whole thing out when we get there.

The only thing is that we need to get to the lodge the first time, while we still don't have the red permits. We will need to call the lodge and they will call back the entry guards to let us in (that is, unless Andy has already received those red permits for each of us:-).

Bottomline.

No worries, everything is either kosher or is gonna be upon arrival. :):

HTH

[Andy]

I made a few calls to both canyons and received some feedback.
Situation seems to be a bit better than I initially thought.

Bryce.

While shuttles only operate during certain reasonable hours, the park is open 24x7 and there is no closure on parking spots (which does not mean they can't be full:-).
They are in between two schedules (winter/summer), so I guess we'll get exact shuttle info when we to the Ruby's. At any rate, with Bryce being fairly small and open, a transportation between points is not gonna be a problem at all - we can use either cars or shuttles, whatever is more convenient.

Zion.

As I mentioned before, Zion itself is normally off-limits for private vehicles.
Now the good news: since we're staying in the Lodge, we will get special "Red Permits" that will allow us to enter the Zion Scenic Route and drive freely anywhere anytime - at least up to the Lodge (which is about 1/3 into the park). So if our point of interest is before Lodge we're kinda covered (caveat: not many parking spaces along the road anyway).
Lady I was talking to informed me that NO private vehicle goes further than the lodge. However, she suggested that we talk to the Lodge staff and they maybe can help with the shuttles.
Shuttles start 6:45 am and last one sweeps the canyon about 10 pm. Sunset there is about 7 pm, so from this point we're covered by shuttles. However, the sunrise is gonna be 7:04 am, so the 6:45 am first shuttle will be a pretty close call. The alternative could be renting some bikes and walk a few miles down the road if we want to get to some specific location beyond the lodge.

In any case it looks like we can sort the whole thing out when we get there.

The only thing is that we need to get to the lodge the first time, while we still don't have the red permits. We will need to call the lodge and they will call back the entry guards to let us in (that is, unless Andy has already received those red permits for each of us:-).

Bottomline.

No worries, everything is either kosher or is gonna be upon arrival. :):

HTH

Great NewS!

Yeah, at zion, teh early bird will get the worm - :thumb

[wxwax]

Sunrise in a canyon is kinda dark. :evil I suspect that the 6:45am shuttle will be fine for your needs. The buses run extremely often, you won't have to wait long for the next one. They really mean it when they say every seven minutes.

And frankly, the canyon simply isn't that long. Much as I dislike shuttles, the Zion system works extremely well.

[Nikolai]

Sunrise in a canyon is kinda dark. :evil I suspect that the 6:45am shuttle will be fine for your needs. The buses run extremely often, you won't have to wait long for the next one. They really mean it when they say every seven minutes.

And frankly, the canyon simply isn't that long. Much as I dislike shuttles, the Zion system works extremely well.

While I totaly agree with everything you've said (darkness, shuttles, etc.), it's only true if you want to shoot the sunrise from the bottom of the canyon. However, if you wanna get to some less trivial point, that hike alone may take a long time - therefore you may need a way earlier start. :dunno
Not saying that we have to - just describing my feelings why we may need some freedom of transportation...

Cheers, partner! :1drink

[Bob Bell]

Are you guys thinking of staying in the park from dawn to dusk? My plan is 3-4 hours in the morning and 3-4 hours at night since southwest light during the day is very harsh. Plus that way its a vacation too :)

[Nikolai]

Are you guys thinking of staying in the park from dawn to dusk? My plan is 3-4 hours in the morning and 3-4 hours at night since southwest light during the day is very harsh. Plus that way its a vacation too :)

Some will come and spend most of the day in a lounge chair with margarita in one hand and a book in another.
Others will hike everything in 50 miles radius and ask for more.
And what's especially cool about this particular mob - either way you'll find partners, and either way no one question your actions... :lust

I guess I'll be more on a hiking side, but that just me:-) :):
But in any case at night we'll end up in the same bar :beer

[dragon300zx]

Are you guys thinking of staying in the park from dawn to dusk? My plan is 3-4 hours in the morning and 3-4 hours at night since southwest light during the day is very harsh. Plus that way its a vacation too :)

Bob I am thinking the same. Personally I want to shoot alot and have alot of fun on this trip but I need some serious R&R right now.

[Andy]

See you guys in Vegassssssssssss or Bryceeeeeeeeeee!

[Andy]

Tony DeJoie and Mrs. DeJoie
Adam Grim and Kendall.
Matt Updenkelder.

Have these folks hooked up with a ride to Bryce??? I hope so. Call for me at Luxor if you don't.

My van is leaving at 7am Wed morning :deal

[Bob Bell]

Have these folks hooked up with a ride to Bryce??? I hope so. Call for me at Luxor if you don't.

My van is leaving at 7am Wed morning :deal

Where is everyone leaving from? The valey parking area? or where?

[davev]

Have these folks hooked up with a ride to Bryce??? I hope so. Call for me at Luxor if you don't.

My van is leaving at 7am Wed morning :deal

Andy, the last time I talked to Adam, he said that he and Kendell were
going to hit some places in Az. before the shoot-out. I don't know if he
has his laptop with him. So, I'm going to say, don't worry about these two,

[Andy]

Andy, the last time I talked to Adam, he said that he and Kendell were
going to hit some places in Az. before the shoot-out. I don't know if he
has his laptop with him. So, I'm going to say, don't worry about these two,
Thaanks

[gluwater]

Where is everyone leaving from? The valey parking area? or where?

I believe the group in our minivan are meeting up in the lobby of the Luxor.
I seriously need to start packing :scratch

[dragon300zx]

I believe the group in our minivan are meeting up in the lobby of the Luxor.
I seriously need to start packing :scratch

Nick thank god I'm not the only one. I just packed everything I think. Well I'm only working a couple hours tomorrow so hopefully I'll have time to pack anything i missed.

[gluwater]

Nick thank god I'm not the only one. I just packed everything I think. Well I'm only working a couple hours tomorrow so hopefully I'll have time to pack anything i missed.

Hopefully I didn't miss anything, my flight takes off in 6 hours. That reminds me, I should go to sleep :snore See ya in Vegas

[Bob Bell]

Hopefully I didn't miss anything, my flight takes off in 6 hours. That reminds me, I should go to sleep :snore See ya in Vegas

2 hours until I get my ride to the airport. Camera Backpack weighs a ton :)

Clothes suitcase is almost there. Got the new B&H catalog yesterday and its being packed. LOL

[Andy]

Ok, I just noticed this new (new to me) thread and I suppose I need to determine real soon if I can get a ride or should rent a car. I arrive in LV on Tuesday afternoon and will be departing from LV early afternoon on Monday May 22.
Tony call my room at the Luxor if you still want a ride. If I don't hear from you I'm assuming you got alternate transportation.

I'm leaving at 7am Wed morning for Bryce