Bridge Day 2002 was a rousing success.

I.M.O. this was directly attributable to the efforts of Bill Bird, Jason Bell, Troy Widgery along with their families and friends
The cooperative attitude of the staff, jumpers, police and other security personnel only added to the smooth operation.

This is the first Bridge Day I’ve attended in several years where every jumper could have made at least 2 jumps each. Yes, there was a line at the primary exit point, but, here's a secret, the “small ramp” next to the Go Fast bus seldom had a line longer than 5 people.
Over the years I’ve learned to go to Bridge Day with the mindset that seeing old friends and meeting new ones is the primary reason for attending. It is such a weather dependent activity that I just set myself up for disappointment otherwise.
That said, I made 3 jumps and got to chat with many, many people.

A few highlights;
Walking out towards the bridge @ 8:30 and seeing the Go Fast bus with it’s mega ramp hanging out over the edge while I was still hundreds of yards away. The ramp, (platform), was a SERIOUS structure.

The jumping started nearly on time, ~ 9:08 and was only delayed by the W.V. governor doing a ribbon cutting gig.

Dealing with “THE MAN” was a non concern in my experience. They spent a total of ~ 12 seconds inspecting my backpack before wishing me well and sending me on my way.

Hearing the local NPS chief ranger telling us he was happy to see us and the he personally spearheaded the drive to gain a decade long exemption to the NPS “inappropriate activity” rule.

Seeing no line at the small ramp, running off the edge and watching the water come up at me.

A clean, dry, packing area at the bottom, complete with cases of Go Fast as packing weights.

Busses that pick you up at the packing area and deliver you to the exit point.

The rain held off until after 6 pm that night.

The vendor selling Billy bob Teeth and greeting every one with a “Hi Cuz” as he smiled and showed you his Wilbur Gruber-and-the–green-teeth grin.

The willingness of the organizers to admit that the event has room for improvement, the busses that hauled us from the bottom to the top were never fast enough. When are they ????????????????

The downside?
The weather was cool and fully overcast. That meant a smaller crowd and fewer viewing opportunities of scantily clad locals, sometimes that’s a good thing……….

I was happy.
I’ll be back
Hope you had fun too.

Stay safe

Craig Fenstermaker