Moose

Completely not true. My grandmother forwarded me the email that your story comes from. I took the time to write her a response because I was sick of her sending me crap via email. THe following was taken from my response. The story is this, apperently a certain CPT Jeffrey S. Porter sent out an email to relatives that said that on a visit to Afghanistan, Obama basically snubbed all the service men and woman to meet with a captain and take publicity shots playing basketball. The only problem is that it's simply not true. He actually later rescinded his email with the following: “I am writing this to ask that you delete my email and not forward it. After checking my sources, information that was put out in my email was wrong.” Here is the army’s official spokesperson talking about the email: "These comments are inappropriate and factually incorrect," said Bagram spokeswoman Army Lt. Col. Rumi Nielson-Green, “Obama didn't play basketball at Bagram or visit the Clamshell. Home-state troops were invited to meet him, but his arrival was kept secret for security reasons. We were a bit delayed ... as he took time to shake hands, speak to troops and pose for photographs," I took all the quotes from www.nydailynews.com. There is also additional information at snopes where there are videos of Obama meeting soldiers and reports from other soldiers (who included pictures) who actually met him. http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/afghanistan.asp

Yeah, the operations were pretty tight. When Liz and I went to board the rapids ride the goofs in the raft didn't leave us two seats next to each other and wouldn't move. So, we started to walk towards the next raft when the operators stopped the rafts in the station, asked us what was up, and then went over and made the people in the original raft move. This process took like 10 seconds top. It was pretty amazing. I was just at Great Adventure they ran about 5 boats total on the rapids. Europa always had more than that in the station at all times. That ride and that park had awesome operations. I don't remember who was on my boat with me (Shane and Michael?) but the three guys we rode with went to three separate seats, but they were cute, so we each rode with one . Chuck, I completely missed your Europa updates till now. Add me to the list of the lovers of this park. As far as Wallygator's history, I don't know much but I do know that it was SmurfWorld at one point. There are still smurf like buildings in the kiddie area.

I'm sorry, but I have a feeling that a teacher, an absolutely great one working in an otherwise underperforming school, knows a just a tad more about the ramifications of no child left behind than you do. Experiencing the outcomes of the policy rather than regurgitating pr information on it is a little more trustworthy. Well, that was kind of rude. I fully get that Mccain has been in Washington longer, but that in no way makes him the better option if I do not like what either he or his party stands for.

^Better get started on marrying Hector. Obama gets my vote.

^ I agree about the whole asian reptile name because of the crate at the park. SO my guess, Viper. A la asian pit viper:

Ahhh, Little Portugal Celebrates America (as we lovingly call it). It is where I rode my first and last Zipper. It is also where I lost my at one time devastating fear of heights. THe sand in the parkinglot is really sad.

I haven't been to DL since 2002. It doesn't really seem like all that much has changed. Predator still looks like it would give a great ride, but instead shakes you badly. RoS still packs a lot of airtime. It used to be my number 1, then I rode a few more coasters. And ranger still squishes and cages you. I doubt my stomach would even allow me to ride that now. Thanks for the update Robb. To put in my two cents: NESupes>EGF >>>>>> RoS

Big Mike, When the road show goes from the great state of New Jersey into New England, which route does it go. I am planning on heading your way and cannot decide if it would be better to go 95 through the city or the Tappan Zee Bridge route. Any tips. PS. the ducks are still in their box waiting to get shipped out.

^ I used to love watching Mr. Wizard. From a physics standpoint, even if you cannot feel the slowing down of the train, the water does add resistance and will slow it down. I really don't get all the complaining. You complain that SF isn't building big exciting rides, and then CF is building something big and fast and there are still complaints. Granted it's not an aquatrax , but what the hell would be enough so there wouldn't be complaints? I may never ride this, but it looks like a lot of fun.

That sums up my opinion of this company as well. Sure it'd be great if they built big stuff all the time, but doing that is not sustainable and will cause the company to fail. The whole I won't go unless they build something new is kind of sad. Is only new stuff worthy of riding? I go back to SFNE just about every year. The new stuff is nice, but my favorite rides in the park are 8 years old and 69 years old and could care less if the newer stuff was there. I would rather a park save up and build something great.

Mel, it's really not all that bad, at least you have a cute bathing suit on.

The park is struggling because the local population can't support it and there are not enough tourists to compensate this. Do you really think that putting the park in area with less locals and NO tourists would have really helped it?

^^That is exactly what they want. Do you think any company wants you to give your money to a competitor?

"Uncomfortable areas" Well, at least for me, the uncomfortable areas on standup coasters end up being my knees. The extra g's multiplying my body weight does not really bode well for my already bad knees. Personally I've never had any pain in the crotchal area, but then again, it could have been that the knee pain just over shadowed it.

I wonder if other parks see a return on $20 million ride. It is not a good article to read if all you want is bigger and faster coasters, but it does look like Shapiro is thinking about how to make the company profitable, which will hopefully mean there are still parks left in the end.

It's great to see a little park surviving out there. THanks for the peak at this little place.

I have only been on one coaster with a beyond vertical drop, Typhoon at Bobbejaanland. Every single time we crested that lift hill, I couldn't help but scream during the drop. It was by far the best part of the coaster.

I got the great bear one, I completely missed the car one (#6). I swear I looked at that image figuring there had to be a duck somewhere, I just never saw it.

I've been to 14 different countries; here is the list in the order that I went to the countries: USA Canada Switzerland Italy Vatican City France Monaco Cayman Islands Mexico Hungary Spain Belgium Holland Germany

^This hobby does tend to attract many more guys than it does girls. For example on the Europe trip, there were about 70 of us on the trip, only 10 of which were female. Coincidentally, there were also about that many gays on the trip. (I may have miscounted, but the numbers are about right)

I am also guessing that Robb makes that sort of face when he lets out fumes.

Squeeee! Thanks for pointing that out.

Thanks again for provididng all of us with such awesome pictures, though I am glad you put down the camera at some times and enjoyed stuff like the extra extra g-force ride time.

As far as vacation time, it's usually my limiting factor. I used up all my vacation on the Spain trip last year and was thus unable to go on the MiniEurope portion. Most places give you two weeks a year, if you save it up you can use it for trips like these.

Kristen's face on the frog hopper is absolutely adorable. or he was excited and shook his bootay in delight.