H is for Helicopter, Hiking, Horse Races

Posted on April 9, 2022 by scr4pl80

One of our most exciting dates was the helicopter ride we took from Las Vegas to the edge of the Grand Canyon. It was not very expensive and well worth it. Funnily enough I almost didn’t book it for us because I was quite a bit heavier at the time and on the website it said that everyone had to get on the scale so that they could balance the weight in the helicopter. Of course in my mind I thought that it would be like some game show or boxing match where you step on a scale in front of everyone and they shout out the weight. NOW WEIGHING IN AT 205 POUNDS…JANET MILES.

I tried really hard to lose weight before we left but that was before I started Keto and only managed maybe 5 pounds. Of course it wasn’t anything like a boxing match. As you check in, there is a platform that you stand on and the weight registers on the computer in front of the customer service person. No one else sees the number. From that info they are able to pick the occupants of the helicopter and then you get called into groups.

We had a really nice pilot (he reminded me just a bit of Ben Affleck) and saw spectacular views of Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. The Grand Canyon is amazing, and we only saw one part of it! There are a couple of different helicopter companies that make this run and we saw them flying over while we were taking our break. On the way home we stopped to refuel before coming back to Vegas. It was funny to see all the helicopters lined up at the pumps just like at a gas station. Flying back in you get pretty close to the buildings.

And here’s a short video of what we saw as we came back in to Vegas. We were staying at the Excalibur Hotel, the one that looks like a castle…of course! I was glad that I didn’t know about the crash that one of the helicopters had doing this run until after we were home!

If a helicopter ride isn’t your thing how about about a trip to the racetrack? Horse Racing is another exciting outing. We went a couple of times before our local track, Bay Meadows, closed in 2008. The first time we went was for a fundraiser for our kids in high school. We had such a good time that we went back a few more times. It is exciting to watch the horses run, especially if you have a small wager on them (remember I’m fond of gambling?) We were sorry to see it close. Now there is a housing complex on the land. The next closest place to see horse racing is Golden Gate Fields and it is not that far away so maybe we’ll take a trip there.

When I was young, there was a famous racetrack right in my hometown of San Bruno. It was Tanforan Racetrack and while they stopped actual racing when I was 9, I do remember seeing the track. During World War II it was used as an internment camp for Japanese, although they called it an “assembly center.” Some famous horses raced there, including Seabiscuit. When the track closed they turned the area into a shopping mall but that has now been sold and they are going to build a biotech campus and housing. Where am I going to go when Barnes and Noble and Target close?

And one more idea, although with my husband’s heart and back issues we probably won’t do this together anytime soon, is hiking. When I was doing the A to Z of San Francisco last year I did a fair amount of hiking with the trip to Mt. Davidson and all the stairs. I was definitely glad I had lost weight by then because I probably wouldn’t have made it!

Okay, I hope I gave you some good ideas for dating through the letter H. Tomorrow is catch up on other blog day and honestly, the next few letters of the alphabet may have less pictures than these did but we’ll see what we can do.

About scr4pl80

I'm a 60-ish, married, mom to 3, creative soul looking to make the world a better place one smile at a time.
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29 Responses to H is for Helicopter, Hiking, Horse Races

  1. Pingback: A to Z Reflection – 2022 | Janet's Smiles

  2. Pingback: W is for Winery, Weekend Getaway, Whale Watching | Janet's Smiles

  3. Pingback: P is for Picnic, Paint Night, Pool | Janet's Smiles

  4. Weekends in Maine says:
    April 12, 2022 at 7:59 pm

    My girlfriend and I took a helicopter ride down into the Grand Canyon. You land on the bottom and then take a boat ride on the Colorado River before heading back out in the helicopter. It was really fun.

    I grew up close to a harness racing (sulky) track. I only went a few times but my grandfather loved it. It was a fun thing to do with a group.

    Hiking is my favorite of the three. We hike all the time and this summer even hiked the Mighty Five National Parks in Utah. It was so beautiful.

    Weekends In Maine

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Ally Bean says:
    April 11, 2022 at 9:04 am

    I’ve done all three of your ‘H’ suggestions. They were fun. Would do again.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. debscarey says:
    April 11, 2022 at 6:19 am

    Himself was an avid hiker and climber when younger, I’ve never had an interest, so it was a good thing we met once he was older 😉 I grew up around horse racing stables as both my grandparents owned horses in India, and I enjoy a day out at the races from time-to-time, even if I don’t bet. But I do like to look at the horseflesh and read up on their form, and the colours are wonderful. I went to a local point-to-point event to take pictures with Himself and he was horrified when I stepped out in front of the racing horses to take a shot. I stepped back in plenty of time, but I got a good talking to nevertheless 😀

    Debs visiting this year from
    Making Yourself Relationship Ready

    Liked by 1 person

    • scr4pl80 says:
      April 11, 2022 at 7:50 am

      I’ll bet that photo was terrific. I don’t know why I didn’t take any photos when we went. It was before we had cameras on our phones I’m pretty sure.

      Like

  7. joyweesemoll says:
    April 10, 2022 at 3:21 pm

    My husband’s health is getting in the way of hiking, now, too. I’ve taken to doing some on my own, which can be nice and peaceful, too — a date with myself.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. shirleyjdietz says:
    April 10, 2022 at 12:42 pm

    And hiking was my H post! Our themes do have a similar premise, dating and building relationships.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Tamara says:
    April 10, 2022 at 12:14 am

    Loved your video! Ben did a nice job flying you guys around. The Grand Canyon and Las Vegas area is so much fun to explore. I bet one might do an entire A – Z challenge covering things to see and do around there.
    A is for Arizona
    B is for Baccara(t)
    C is for Canyon

    Liked by 1 person

  10. J-Dub says:
    April 9, 2022 at 5:40 pm

    I think I’d faint before even getting in a helicopter. 😂 watching the video is all I can handle.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Arlee Bird says:
    April 9, 2022 at 3:42 pm

    I’ve never been in a helicopter, but I’d like to. I’ve been to those places you flew over. Hoover Dam is such an amazing site. I used to go to Vegas at least once a year. Other than passing through it last year, we haven’t been there in about 3 years or maybe more.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    Liked by 1 person

  12. apeacefultree says:
    April 9, 2022 at 1:55 pm

    Thanks for taking us on the trip with you through your blog – I haven’t taken a helicopter ride so this was so much fun to read about.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. John says:
    April 9, 2022 at 1:07 pm

    That looks like my city down there! 😎🌴🌞❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Jeanne Bryan Insalaco says:
    April 9, 2022 at 12:59 pm

    I”m enjoying reading your date nights… and you guys have done so much together and its awesome that you’d pulled it together here to preserve. Ours would be at antique malls! LOL We are just happy to be together even if its riding the back roads of wherever. I know the feeling when they said you’d have to step on the scale… good for you that you braved it and went. Who cares about a few pounds when your happy. I struggle with those pounds too! Great Post!

    Liked by 1 person

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