First annual "MEN'S FORUM" picnic

We did do this at the OH event in Lexington KY last October. Dex, Joe, Mike, Col. Dave and I had a great time partying with the ladies from the VA Board. Lots of other guys said they were coming and for a host of reasons it was just the five of us. Having a men’s forum at an OH event is OK if you want to meet folks from the rest of the country but it is a real estrogen love fest. The WOW moments and all the girly stuff was enough to drive us guy’s nuts in KY. Why not just pick a place with lots to do in a town with cheap airfare and hotels and everyone meet for a 3 day weekend. If we get enough folks they would give us a meeting room to socialize together. Dex is a one man show all by himself. He gives great talks about Guys and WLS. I like the idea of going to Las Vegas . Lots to do, great shows, beautiful women, lots of walking around, cheap air fare, cheap rooms, nice weather during the right times of the year and remember "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas….”  Maybe do a rafting trip on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon that would be great!! Plus I have aways wanted to see that big a** dam and get some dam candy....

Vegas is cool. Very Hot in Summer, but cheap on airfare and big on fun. JP

I posted a pic I took of the Hoover Dam, in the photos sections of my profile. I would post it in the message, but I guess I am not that big a geek to figure it out. Thought you might enjoy it. It is really a picture of a tower, part of a lightning arresting system to protect the dam and electric equipment. We did a structural reinforcement on it, so CIngular could pile on more antennas and coax. As we were working for the BLR, they let us bring the helicopter in real close for some pics. Take care. JP

OK, Got my "Geek" street credentials back, I think

I have always want to see Hoover dam and raft the Colorado River.

It is a very short drive from Vegas.  You can rent a helicopter very affordably (on a scale of renting helicopters) at a place about 2 miles from the dam on the road in. A third the price or less of renting one in Vegas to tour the dam, lake and GC. Never rafted on the river, but been all over the dam. If you look closely at the very left side of the pic, near the bottom, you can see a little building. There is a tunnel from there down in to the very bottom of the dam. The guys from the BLM took us down there one day. Very Cool. Very high security there now, too, since 911. We had "men with guns" watching our crews the entire time they were on site. You will not be able to drive across the dam much longer either. The new bridge is under construction which will eliminate the need. JP