narcimund 0 #1 July 7, 2003 http://www.magicvalley.com/home/search/index.asp?DateID=7/6/2003&StoryID=4247&theDB=local_state_news&theIMG=LOCAL_STATE_NEWS&theQry=parsons From The Times-News Twin Falls, Idaho Sunday, July 6, 2003 Bridge jumpers dive into wedlock By Brandon Fiala Times-News writer TWIN FALLS -- They took the big plunge -- and then plunged again. Sandy Parsons and Spencer Bisley got married Saturday afternoon at the Buzz Langdon Visitor Center beside the Perrine Bridge. Then they took another big step, BASE jumping into the canyon. "We met at the Perrine Bridge about a year ago, and we've been together since," Parsons said Friday. The couple wore parachutes and jump gear to say their marriage vows in front of friends and family, then walked together onto the bridge, jumped into the canyon and landed in the Snake River nearly 500 feet below. A film crew working for the television series, "Weird Weddings," videotaped the ceremony. The show airs on the Women's Entertainment Network. BASE-jumping friends of the happy couple also took the plunge. A waiting boat took jumpers to a wedding barbecue. BASE is an acronym for building, antenna, span and earth. The Perrine Bridge is a popular spot because of its 486-foot height, and because it's one of the few legal places to jump in North America. Parsons, a 35-year-old marketer from Albany, Ore., said she had come to Twin Falls a year ago interested in BASE jumping. Though an experienced skydiver, Parsons had never BASE jumped. Bisley, a 38-year-old respiratory therapist from Calgary, Alberta, had been jumping from the Perrine Bridge for two years already. "Sandy wanted help," Bisley said. "It's a big responsibility to teach someone, but she had the necessary skydiving experience and the right mind-set. She did really well -- she's a natural." Just three months later, Bisley asked Parsons to marry him. "It made so much sense to get married at the Perrine Bride," Bisley said. The newlyweds will reside in Portland, Ore. The wedding attracted other members of the far-flung BASE subculture. "The BASE jumping community is pretty small," said Raistlin Majere of Portland. "Everyone knows about the wedding." "This wedding is different -- a fun twist," said friend Bryan Stokes, an Air Force Academy parachute instructor. "These two are very unique and it's a great way for them to start living their lives together." Bisley said the Perrine Bridge is the most jumped object in the world. "People from Europe have come here to jump," he said. "The town welcomes us," said L.J. Keogh of Portland. "We get motel discounts, free beer. Everybody here makes us feel good." Like most newlyweds, the Bisleys expect some ups and downs in their marriage -- many of them at the Perrine Bridge. "We'll probably come back a couple times a year," Parsons said. First Class Citizen Twice Over Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
QuickDraw 0 #2 July 7, 2003 A little gimmicky, but cool i suppose. Good luck to the pair of them. -- Hope you don't die. -- I'm fucking winning Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andy2 0 #3 July 7, 2003 I guess the media isn't savy to BASE etiquette of not even naming the legal sites. Good story though, thanks for posting. --------------------------------------------- let my inspiration flow, in token rhyme suggesting rhythm... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #4 July 7, 2003 QuoteA little gimmicky, but cool i suppose. You know, going into it I thought the same thing. But it really was a sweet, low-key ceremony. And the symbolism opportunities abound. Symbolism is always worthwhile in weddings, births, funerals, and other Big Events. It was also a fabulous opportunity for good press with the community. Three different newspapers had reporters there not to mention the "Weird Weddings" TV crew. First Class Citizen Twice Over Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
QuickDraw 0 #5 July 7, 2003 I have been thinking about things like this lately, i don't know whether its just a "mood" that i'm in, or whether its a frame of mind. There used to be a time when i would rave to my friends about skydiving, and try and encourage them to at least do a tandem and "see what happens", now i find myself "protecting" something that i think is so cool, i really don't encourage them now, in fact, i rarely talk about it except to a few like-minded people. I thought about putting it up as a proper post, but there i go again being secretive. Is this a normal reaction or am i becoming one of them people who never spoke to you when you turned up at a dropzone ? Am i making sense here ? -- Hope you don't die. -- I'm fucking winning Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Faber 0 #6 July 7, 2003 Congrats boths of you.Sorry i havnt been abel to make that video i promised yet(dont want to send crap),but im working on it. Stay safe Stefan Faber Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zennie 0 #7 July 7, 2003 Quotenow i find myself "protecting" something that i think is so cool, i really don't encourage them now, Yeah, if I've learned anything by now, never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever bring your g/f to the dropzone... unless you like her being hit on nonstop by every guy in the place. BASE, man, it would be cool to have a BASE jumping g/f, but I think if it really happened I'd be a basket case every time she jumped. - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
