Air Force Two at RNO story

[Ryan]

I have quite a story about getting this shot:
"air Force Two" Arriving At Rno (http://highsierraspotters.com/forum/gallery/showimage.php?i=140&c=5)
I went to the spot I always go earlier in the morning and was there without problem until "Air Force 2" started on final. Just as it was about two miles out, two parking enforcement officers on motorcycles came by and told me I had to move my car even though there were NO signs anywhere. I started to put stuff in my car, which was going to take a bit longer as I was using my step-ladder and just as AF2 was about to touch down, one of the officers said go ahead and grab some shots! So I had to run and set up everything again and I was ready right as the plane came into my viewfinder. I then moved my car and thanked the officer for letting grab some photos. He turned out to be a nice guy and we talked cameras after Air Force 2 left.

[RNO Gary Schenauer]

That's a story you'll never forget, Ryan. You arrive there in plenty of time to get set up, you find a spot that's not "off limits," and then ~ just as the long-awaited moment arrives ~ you almost get rousted away. :eek: Now, meanwhile, just a stone's throw to the north of you, I had arrived at Rock Park at 7:45 AM in order to be completely ready at 9 AM. I walked over the Greg St overpass and down into the construction zone where the new whitewater park is being built. I just wanted to stand on a dirt pile located east of the 16R approach so I could have the sun behind me to get a good shot but I was denied permission, so I ended up on top of a huge mountain of boulders but it was WEST of the approach, so I was looking into the morning sunrise. It got cloudy so I figured I'd stay put because the bright sun was obscured and I could get a decent shot anyway. Then, at 8:50, the sudden brightness made me look up. The last of the clouds were moving away; I would be shooting into the bright sun. I scrambled down the boulders, raced across the overpass, and ran east along the Truckee Riverwalk path as aircraft headlights appeared well out to the north, on approach. I took a quick practice shot of some trees and reset some camera settings. And that's when I saw a guy, dressed as a fisherman, standing a few feet away watching me closely. He had earphones in BOTH ears, a belt full of scanners and mics, and it was also obvious that he was armed ~ NOT with a fishing pole ~ but with sidearms. On the bike leaning against a tree near him I could see the stock of a larger firearm. The guy seemed a lot more interested in me than in catching any fish, probably because I was obviously racing into position AT THE LAST MINUTE to catch the inbound aircraft. I made REAL sure that he could easily see that all I was holding was a digital camera. lol I looked at him and asked, "Are you supposed to be a fisherman?" He wasn't greatly amused. But he didn't do anything besides watch me as I got 4 pics of AF2. So, we both had close calls, but WE GOT THE PICS! :cheers::happy_thumb::trophy: