For the second time in 2 years "Jam on the Dam" was held on Hoover Dam, and I was commissioned to go up in the helicopter to shoot the commemorative photo.

The first time we did it, it was basically a last minute 'off the cuff' idea with only basic planning.  We were able to get a total of 72 vehicles, most coming out from California.

This time it was more thoroughly planned, however the cost of the permits nearly prevented the event from happening.  Among the MANY restrictions and permits, some of them were actually duplicated for whatever reason.

One example:
There is only ONE helicopter company designated to fly close to Hoover Dam.  They do it every day, several times per day.  They already have the specialized permits that allow them to carry on this daily activity, but for the event we had to obtain yet another helicopter permit for the same damned (no pun intended) helicopter!

Liability insurance for myself and the film crew had to be obtained (I guess in case we dropped a lens from the helicopter).

We had to pay overtime rates plus, for 6 off duty officers.  Despite the fact that we hired the cops to escort the vehicles and direct traffic, one of them made a mistake and held 60% of our vehicles on the road going to the dam.  Our helicopter and other permits only allowed us a total of 10 minutes.  The cop blocked our cars for 8 of those minutes.  It was only at the last second that I was able to get a qualifying photo.

Despite the fact that we obtained permits for the film crew, they were not permitted on the dam during the event, despite the fact that under normal conditions people film there often.  They were permitted to film from locations near the dam.  (And a few of them actually did manage to sneak on to get the shots they needed).

We had a total of 120 cars this time, with vehicles coming in from as far away as Alberta and New Jersey.  The Orange Smart Car used in the recent commercials was also brought in and driven in the event.

In any case, it was a lot of dam fun (ok, this time pun intended).  Smart USA is using the image on their websites, prints to participants were distributed, and we're now making plans for our next "Jam" event.



http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= … =1&theater

A sign that I made using the official commemorative photo from the first Jam on the Dam event:




one of the 'Racing Stripe' that I put on my car:




.... and of course we had some eye candy!

I thought his was ridiculous, until I saw they were all smart cars. Then it's a great idea

I'm not sure I understand this post . . . .

Are you complaining, bragging, or just showing us that you had a fun day ?

KM