Nov 5, 2011, 11:24 AM
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Coming to Skydive Arizona
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Me and a few mates (6 in total) are coming to Eloy, Arizona from 27th march 2012 until 17th april 2012, and was looking for a bit of advice.
We have booked flights but not sure on where to stop or to rent a car. We know the dz has a bunkhouse and there is also the Sky Rider Inn on the dropzone, but were not sure weather to stay off the dz and just rent a car for the three weeks. What is the Bent Prop like for a drinking session? ive also heard there are no shops/bars within walking distance so if we stop on the dz, then we will most likely be there the entire time. Are there any other bars that anybody can recomend nearby?
Basically, im asking if you think we should stop on the dz and have no car, or stop off the dz and get a car.
Nov 5, 2011, 12:40 PM
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Re: [imfromwales] Coming to Skydive Arizona
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Well, the DZ is a full service dz. You could live there for 3 weeks
However, I would stay on the DZ AND get a car. You're sure to have the urge to check a few things out.
The bent prop is a good place to hang out...but I wouldnt want to do it EVERY DAY for 3 weeks.
There is a holiday inn is casa grande and if You cotact Betsy barnhouse (on dz.com) or SD arizona she may be able to tell you if they have any local hotel deals.
you can rent a car from the airport. search rental cars at skyharbor/phoenix az...
Most "nearby" establishments are about 15-30miles away.
Nov 5, 2011, 12:51 PM
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Re: [imfromwales] Coming to Skydive Arizona
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For six people you might consider a team room on the dropzone rather than the bunkhouse. Like the bunkhouse, you'll be sleeping on bunks and using communal showers, but it will give you your own private space.
There are team rooms that sleep six, and team rooms that sleep 4 - depending on how crowded you care to be, you could all pile into a 6-person or get two 4-person rooms and have a bit more room to spread out. The cost will end up being about the same per person (maybe a hair more) as the bunkhouse, but it'll allow you to spread out a bit. The team rooms have small fridges and microwaves if you want to do some cooking on your own. (Advantages to the bunkhouse are that there's a common living room area that has couches and chairs).
You certainly could get by on the DZ without a car, but for that long a trip you'll probably want one, if only to be able to go into town and get snacks, drinks, etc., and to have other dining options than the Bent Prop. It's not that bad, but three weeks of it would get really old. Other than what's on the DZ, there's nothing you can walk to. As for bars, can't say I really know that many in the area, as I usually do any drinking on the dropzone when I'm there (so I don't have to drive anywhere after I've been drinking). There's a surprisingly good pizza joint in Eloy, and there are plenty of restaurants with bars in Casa Grande a few miles away.
Nov 5, 2011, 1:04 PM
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Re: [imfromwales] Coming to Skydive Arizona
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Don't come. The beer is always warm, the weather is always crap, and we hate foreigners
Krisanne gave some good options. The sky rider inn is also set up for multiple people, but it's much more expensive than the team rooms.
The bent prop for 3 weeks will get a bit repetitive food wise, but you should be able to have plenty of fun there
Another option would be to rent a house from a local: contact amy chemelecky for that.
If I were you, i would get a car so i would have the flexibility to go for food in casa grande or for outings on those rare weather days. And hey, for 6 people, you'll be able to rent a sexy minivan...
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Nov 5, 2011, 1:58 PM
Post #5 of 19
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Re: [imfromwales] Coming to Skydive Arizona
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Since you'll be there for so long, you should consider taking a trip to see the Grand Canyon. It's definitely worth the drive from the dropzone.
Nov 6, 2011, 12:39 PM
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Re: [imfromwales] Coming to Skydive Arizona
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The galoping goose over in Coolidge isnt to bad of a bar. Casa Grande isnt too bad either, spent three weeks there myself. Airport Tavern is halfway descent. And plenty of places to eat. I would definitely get a car, but stay at the DZ.
Nov 7, 2011, 5:18 AM
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Re: [imfromwales] Coming to Skydive Arizona
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It's good to rent a car mate. I did a same thing in April this year only I landed in Vegas and drove to Eloy and after 7 days I drove to Perris and Elsinore. It's only 5 hour drive I paid 600 dollars for Hyundai Elantra for 25 days.. Try to get a car in the city as it seems to be cheaper then at the airport. I stayed at the bunkhouse and I'd do it again. If you have a car it's easier to get to the town for shopping and food. It's a great place mate, enjoy it.
Nov 7, 2011, 8:09 AM
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Re: [imfromwales] Coming to Skydive Arizona
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You'll be there quite a while - you might as well rent a car and give yourself the ability to check out the local sights. There's bound to be a few bad weather days when you want something else to do.
- Casa Grande Indian pueblo ruins, north of Eloy. - Hills north of Eloy: mountain lakes, dams, & Indian cliff dwellings. - Climb Mt. Picacho, south of Eloy. - Saguaro National Forest, south of Eloy. - Tucson's Skyline Drive, scenic mountain road. - Catalina State Park, Indian ruins, west of Tucson. - Coronado National Forest, south of Tucson - San Xavier Spanish Mission, south of Tucson - Tubac Spanish Presido (fort), south of Tucson - Titan nuclear missle silo museum, south of Tucson
Nov 8, 2011, 4:32 AM
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Re: [JohnRich] Coming to Skydive Arizona
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You'll be there quite a while - you might as well rent a car and give yourself the ability to check out the local sights. There's bound to be a few bad weather days when you want something else to do.
- Casa Grande Indian pueblo ruins, north of Eloy. - Hills north of Eloy: mountain lakes, dams, & Indian cliff dwellings. - Climb Mt. Picacho, south of Eloy. - Saguaro National Forest, south of Eloy. - Tucson's Skyline Drive, scenic mountain road. - Catalina State Park, Indian ruins, west of Tucson. - Coronado National Forest, south of Tucson - San Xavier Spanish Mission, south of Tucson - Tubac Spanish Presido (fort), south of Tucson - Titan nuclear missle silo museum, south of Tucson
HEY Remi, you and the Mrs wanna take me sight seeing :D
Nov 10, 2011, 10:42 AM
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Re: [Squeak] Coming to Skydive Arizona
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Thanks a million to everyone who has convinced me i need to get a car, i think we will end up going on a few days road trip to either vegas or mexico....
were leaning towards the skyrider although not sure how much its worth paying the extra money to have a kitchen and the like compared with the bunkhouse/team rooms. Looks like there will be 5, maybe 6 of us now. Since were renting a car, it doesnt matter that the skyrider is a little further away (~350m?!) also!
Nov 14, 2011, 3:55 PM
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Re: [imfromwales] Coming to Skydive Arizona
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You might also want to check out http://www.vrbo.com/ for house rentals. At Nationals we got a really nice house 10 minutes from the DZ. Split 4 ways we paid about $200 each for 9 days.
Nov 17, 2011, 12:40 PM
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Re: [imfromwales] Coming to Skydive Arizona
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If you want to do it on the cheap go with the team room or rent a house from some locals as Remi noted earlier. A car rental is very much worth it. The bent prop is a great place to hangout, but only every so often...it gets boring.
I would not bother with going into casa grande for entertainment, unless you are looking for a unique social experience, however there is good sushi at Lucky's. If you're looking to party hit-up the casino, scottsdale, tempe or the campus in Tuscon.
Bottom line: The team room is the cheapest way to go ($40 per room per night and sleeps four), sans the bunkhouse ($7/night) and a car is great for keeping your sanity. You may want a hotplate or something of that sort to cook food as it can get expensive and dull to eat at three meals a day at the bent prop for 3 weeks (avg $10/meal).
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