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I spent my New Year's at the Red Bull New Year No Limits Travis Pastrana 269-foot Rainbow Harbor jump in Long Beach, CA. With big crowds, drifting, freestyle jumping, music, and cars on display, I couldn't think of a better place to be on New Year's Eve. Some opposed going because the coverage would be better on TV, and others didn't want to be out driving on such a night. Although both were valid points, there was something unique about being at this type of event live.
We ate and sipped on margaritas at a restaurant in the heart of the action on the Long Beach pier, all while watching the TV coverage live. As Travis put on his helmet, we knew "the time" was approaching and that we needed to head outside to catch the live action. The anticipation was great as we joined the multitudes who were vying for prime viewing spots. Since we had lost view of the TV coverage, we had no idea when the jump was going to happen. Preparing my point and shoot to capture the action, I proceeded to video the moments leading up to the jump (but not the jump itself), which sent me into a nasty case of the giggles.
And then it went something like this - gasp of the crowd, and flying car. I did not see the take-off or the landing. (Actually I did not see the landing for a while, as DVR coverage quit recording right before the jump.) The whole night boiled down to a split second of a car getting huge air. The crazy part was that it was totally worth it and completely spectacular, even though it was just a glimpse. Adrenaline completely depleted and giggles under control, I focused on the next big event - midnight.
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