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my Late Husband, Nick, passed at 63 (~3 years ago) and he LOVED coasters, but stopped riding them at about 55 due to medical issues (that would not have stopped most other people, but he tended to overreact. . so he just waited for me to ride anything more intense than the train or carousel, that he still felt comfortable riding). I'm 58, and my Boyfriend/partner, Jim (whom I met about 15 months ago) is 65. and he's just started riding coasters after we met. LOL. .his first coaster ever was Poltergeist (LIM launch spaghetti bowl coaster), and he does at least one "big" ride at each park. usually the last ride of the day, because he wants to participate in the "big" stuff with me. in regards to COASTERS: he's been rather limited (thus far), but his favorite is Texas Stingray at SWSA. He also really loved Steel Eel (SWSA), Judge Roy Scream (SFOT), Runaway Mountain (SFOT), Road Runner (SFFT), Aquaman Power Surge, and Mine Train (SFOT). he will TOLERATE a few other coasters at SFFT, and SFOT, but refuses to ride Iron Rattler (SFFT) again, as it terrified him. and I'd say he will absolutely not (anytime soon at least) ride Titan (SFOT), Great White (SWSA), Dr Diabolical, Chubacabra, or Superman at SFFT. but he loves flat rides, and we do all of those together.

Closing Day at The PNE Monday, Sept. 01 My last visit to The Fair, was also it`s last day of operation. And like Opening Day, I didn't have any need to revisit places like the Barns, or Super Dogs etc. I almost talked myself into seeing "For The Love of Drag" one more time. But I didn't go. Mainly, I wanted to try two edibles, that I'd missed in past visits... Japanese French Toast and Fish & Chips. And I picked up some more kettle corn and fudge. Both too good to pass up. I decided to come in "the back" way to The Fair. Through Playland, of course. Then I saw this - and gasped - this is the queue for Coaster?! Turns out the actual queue hadn't opened yet. And the line started moving once I passed through it. Amphitheater and ThunderVOLT for one last look. For those who want their inflatable hammers, in pink. A final WHEEEE! The Kettle Creek Mine Coaster is fun for adults as much as it is, for the kids. One of the "extra rides" in Playland. Whatever this was called here, it's still a Round Up to me. And a Himalaya behind the Round Up. That's 2 extra rides. And finally, an extra ride for the kids, and Extra Ride #3 .. the Tilt-A-Whirl. And that was it. Noted. Bought my BRIGHT Kettle Corn! Outdoor light was playing with my camera's settings. <sigh> Uh ....no. From Tornado Potato..... to Rotato (&) Potato. Mostly poutines, here. Here's my first thing to enjoy (I hope). How to put one all together. I bought the Half Serving. It looks like the Full Serving, but there were only two "toasts" in this, compared to four in the other. Extremely messy, but really, really good! Will look out for it again, next year's Fair. I also skipped the booze and had myself an iced coffee. Giant whatchamacallit dancers, I think, strolling by. And after a while, I headed over to this. For this. Two pieces of cod, seasoned fries...and still with the iced coffee. And it - was - excellent. The fish was perfect. And the seasoned fries were awesome! Even without a condiment on them This is around every year. And although it's about tunneling, it always looks like a mandala to me. And then into The Market, bought the fudge, and headed home out the front gate. When I take two busses to get home, my two block trek to it, passes by this great fence. We used to call these, the Three Little Pigs. Piggie #2 is apparently getting renovated, and repainted. Greeting me on our front walkway. Stella then followed me inside, to get treats and/or food from me. The Kettle Corn was flavoured Chocolate Caramel and Apple Caramel. The fudge was Strawberry Cheesecake and Black Forest. Both very good. And that's it for this year's visits to the Pacific National Exhibition a/k/a The PNE! And don't forget! FRIGHT NIGHTS is coming back to Playland in October! https://frightnights.ca/

I was just at SFOG on Monday, and they had in park electric signs (ie: advertising) featuring Peanuts characters. (Charlie Brown, Woodstock, and Snoopy). over by the Theater next to Monster Mansion, and across from the Mine Train. it was so noticeable, I even pointed it out to those I was there with.

If you get paid peanuts you have no incentive to stick around.

Well, I FINALLY made my first visit to Holiday World. WOW. I will join the chorus of people singing its praises. What a charming, well-kept, well-run park. As I entered the park, I was greeted by all the team members in a super friendly way. And as I made my around the park, its cleanliness, fun themes, and overall operations were stunning for a such a small, family-run park. I was stunned they were running 2 trains on Voyage and Legend, despite minimal lines. AND the Voyage had like 6 team members checking the train -- although they still somehow managed to stack trains frequently, the operations were mostly smooth. I focused on the coasters. Sure wish I could have done night rides! The Voyage. I actually wasn't terribly impressed on my first ride. I was in the very front of the very first train and although I was impressed by relatively smooth it was, I just wasn't blown away: not a lot of air. Definitely partly the product of sky-high expectations. AND THEN I rode the back and THEN the coaster warmed up. Holy crap! To me, this is more a backseat ride (although there is no "bad" seat that I can find in 8 rides.). The spaghetti bowl turnaround at the back is one of the most out-of-control feelings I have ever experienced in a coaster. It's up there with the quadruple down on Lightning run and the end turns on El Toro, as great mayhem. Each ride I appreciated The Voyage more, focusing more on its unrelenting speed, floater (and pops) of air, and its incredible length and design. It's a top 5 for me now. And kudos for the loving care Holiday World shows this ride -- they spend a ton of time taking care of it, and it shows. Legend. As a sign of my old age, the back seat was just a little too uncomfortable for me, but I loved how raw and rough this coaster is (in the good way, as designed vs. rough b/c of crappy maintenance.). Enjoyed it much more in the front seat, especially the second half. But I didn't love it. My bias is more towards airtime machines than laterals and I still found myself having to ride a little more defensively than I'd like. Still, a very good ride. Love the backstory and the bell ringing. Raven. Man, I had waited for this coaster for a while, given its legendary status. Again, my expectations sorta messed with me, and having ridden it third, it was a hard comparison to the mighty Voyage. I imagine it is stunning at night. I loved the layout, especially the third drop into the woods (massive air in the back, but sadly I kept thinking about the enthusiast who fell). I see they have retracked big sections, but they didn't quite yet reach that final right hand turn before the final turn -- that thing is BRUTAL: literally flying into and out of a pothole. I only did 2 rides on Raven because the pothole was nearly a chiropractic spinal cracking everytime. Loved the station and it's a fun, excellent ride. Thunderbird. This was the surprise hit! Yes, the value of low expectations-- AND it's a great design! yes, I was one of the idiots on here complaining when this ride was announced 10 years ago, saying it was not a great fit for the park: too much money for a gimmicky ride. Happily I was wrong: the theming is great, the launch packs a bunch, and the layout is superb. Probably the best wing coaster I have been on, possibly except for Gatekeeper ( I have also done Wild Eagle and X Flight). Love the use of the valley and the woods. Really super fun and re-rideable. Overall, just loved the park and how it's run. I know Paula is long-gone and they went through some family drama, but I still found everything excellent