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As I've said before, I approve as long as you can snap. And yes, I'd say that's in the realm of possibility. Neat article. I didn't realize Flyer Addicts was still active. Hadn't checked them out in a while.

^^Honestly, I barely even picked up on the theming at Worlds of Fun, though I do recall vague bits and pieces. I just think of it as a particularly scenic iron ride park. It really does have a pleasing atmosphere, though, especially at night.

Darnit! Completely forgot about Coal Cracker last time I was there, and it's one of my favorite flumes. I think we left Comet Hollow that morning too quickly for its existence to even register with me. Oh well.

Well, since apparently I'm related to approximately 50% of the population of Texas, I think it's safe to say I'll have no trouble "visiting family" there next year! Oh, and I love love love that new photo.

^Actually, I have something even better for you. I know it's only a consolation prize, but hopefully you'll get some use out of it anyway.

Exactly what I've been thinking. My other thought was that maybe it was their way of gently teasing enthusiasts, as parks have been known to do, though of course like most things it was overall targeted toward the general public.

Welcome to the final installment of "A Carousel Caper," or the mystery of the disappearing Herschell horses! As shown on the previous page, I've been encouraging guesses as to the fate of the missing horses. Yes, I will be declaring a winner in this report. Yes, there just might be a Pointless Internet Prize involved (no cash value). Enjoy! Let's recap, shall we? We started off at the Alder Creek Pioneer Association Carousel Museum. If you haven't been following along, you probably think this is a carousel museum. LOL but it's really not though. There were carousel horses...with a strange and unfortunate emphasis on "were." There were also empty spaces where carousel horses should've been perched. The horses that were still around looked nice, though it was a real shame they weren't part of a working carousel as they deserve to be. However, it almost seemed as if every time I blinked or turned around, there were more horses missing! Hey, wait a minute. Yes...I'll admit it. My photo editing skills are THAT good. Hold up. Stop the presses. Throw in an obligatory "whoa." WHAT IS THIS. I knew it all along. It's a conspiracy! But for what cause? Was it the economy? The decline of American culture? Or was somebody's heart simply three sizes too small? Stay tuned next...nah, I wouldn't want to witness the first known example of carousel horses jumping over a shark. Though I might pitch that to SyFy... FOLLOW THAT TRAILER! And I don't mean your mom's house. Now fast forward a couple hours... Let's head someplace that might make a little more sense than that "carousel" museum. This looks klassie... Hey! It's the world-famous 101-year-old Alder Creek Pioneer Picnic & Rodeo! It's at scenic Cleveland Park, the park so nice they welcome you twice. So yeah, now you know where it is and stuff. No horses allowed at the rodeo, guys. I guess it's politically incorrect nowadays...but I WANTED HORSES! Don't they know what I've been searching for all day? There was a healthy selection of fair fare available at the event. Um, "healthy" as in...oh, you get it. There was also some kind of midway game. I guess if you pop it, you win a prize. Or at least, that's how I understood it. Now, if only there were a ride or two. Holographic Michael Jackson was on hand to teach a whole new generation how to moonwalk. What is that building? Oh, right, bathroom. Duh. For the second time..."whoa." WHAT IS THIS. (Yes, yes, people, I know...pickup truck. Got it. But thanks.) Wait, is there a CAROUSEL here? I feel faint! Why don't people ever tell me these things? I could've just gone here first and not the 9,001 other places. HEY. Those horses look mighty familiar. I'm feeling myself getting turned...um, I'm feeling a lightbulb turning on in my head. Nerd shot. You know, for all you carousel nerds out there. In other words, "for me." Isn't Tonawanda the name of a character from Napoleon Dynamite? And what do we do on carousels? (If we are a law-abiding and socially well-adjusted citizen, that is.) Well, I'm pretty sure we ride them. A kind gentleman listened to my story. About wanting to go to the carousel museum. About the missing horses. About searching all over creation for the missing horses. NO, not that story, silly. Just about traveling almost 4 hours to make it here for the carousel. Sympathetic, he thought he could see about running the ride for me even though it hadn't yet completed the required 10,000 hours of operation after assembly. So I got on. (And later, I got off. Can't stay on forever, you know.) Look at that NERD. Like the Earth, a carousel is round, not flat. Unlike the Earth, no one ever thought carousels were flat. If the horse is a'rockin', don't mistake that for anything but normal operation. Notice the lack of poles? These horses rock like rocking horses instead of moving straight up and down or trying to murder you. If you think that last part was a non sequitur, you have never ridden the Rye Derby Racer. Awww. This must be the Looooove Horse. Um, whatever that means. I rode the carousel three times. I even rode the chariot once. I just wish I had someone sitting next to me to make it properly romantic. I guess I should've ridden the Looooove Horse for getting l--I mean, for good luck. Seriously, most adorable thing EVER. I'm talking about the carousel, obviously. This picture sums up the carousel. I know it will be an endless source of fascination for many of you. After my three rides, it was time for din dins. A gravy buffet was had by all. As we wrap up this report, let's look at what the carousel museum dreams of at night: well...a carousel, of course. As of now, the merry-go-round operates one weekend a year at the picnic and rodeo. On the way home, I visited Stonehenge, to give you a clue of just how far I traveled to see the carousel. Stonehenge is, naturally, a war memorial. However, I've been told that, at times, the mood here has been far from somber--in fact, quite festive--if you get what I'm saying. There are some beautiful views from between the great stone henges (whatever, I don't know what they're really called). I've always really liked this tree, and it's fun to climb. Remember how I said I'd announce a winner to the guessing game? Of course, this is all in good fun. We're all winners here. I love you for that. Well, and also for other reasons. But you're still a LOSER. A.J., you mentioned a rodeo, so I'm going to say you win. Here, have an imaginary cookie (not intended for human consumption). Congrats and stuff.

^Well, I've ridden it at night, with a full train, on wet tracks, and it still wasn't amazing. Quite good, sure, but not amazing or up to the praise I'd heard about it.

No. Rarely, if ever, have I ridden another wooden coaster as sorely lacking in the airtime department. This was on the blue side. I'm hoping to catch the red side next year for a better experience. Exactly!

Somehow, on my last coaster trip I managed not only to only get one new Boomerang credit, but also to successfully only ride ONE Boomerang? Go me! (Then again, I did ride two Zamperla Volares that weren't even new to me, so...) 12 Boomerangs Boomerang, Elitch Gardens Boomerang, KBF Boomerang, SFFT Boomerang, WOF Boomerang Coast to Coaster, SFDK Boomerang Coast to Coaster, TGE Carolina Cobra, Carowinds Flashback, SFOT Flashback, SFNE Sea Serpent, Morey's Piers Sidewinder, Hersheypark Zoomerang, Lake Compounce

^I liked that Boomerang okay, but it's definitely only a credit ride. Wouldn't miss it. There are probably only a couple Boomerangs I've ridden multiple times in a visit, and I think there's only one I've ridden alone on multiple visits. For some reason I'm feeling the Dive Machine/Mini Dive Machine rumors more now.

^Well red is the first color of the rainbow...they could be getting an orange Premier in 2013 and a yellow Premier in 2014!

^It took me a while to learn how to spell "Schwarzkopf" correctly...and I've owned Schwarzkopf hair products! Maybe I'm uncultured, but "Schwarzkoph" just made a lot more sense at first. Anyway, Schwarzkopfs are a big reason I really want to do a Mexico coaster trip. And yes, I do have other reasons. I'd like to ride the "rarest" (for enthusiasts) of the Mobius woodies, and also...I kinda have a thing for Morgan hypers.

I. Counted. My credits. Wrong!!! I kinda feel like the Tooth Fairy just visited me, except I got a credit instead of cash.

^Yeah, the "teasing" (if it can be called that; I haven't kept track of what they've been doing directly) has been just right to keep my interest level up over time without either giving too much away or making me overly impatient.

^^Exactly. While obviously some (mostly enthusiasts) will know the difference, it's just too similar, in appearance and history at minimum, for them to be needing a new wooden coaster.

21/30, fairly bad but definitely not my worst. There were a couple more I could've gotten right, though.

Exactly what I was wanting to say. I think pondering which park most closely reflects the spirit of the song "California Dreamin'" is way overthinking. Plus, maybe I've been overly hopeful since I'm a big Premier fan, but the evidence has seemed quite strong to me, even if it still technically can only be considered speculation.

^Oh, I saw that mentioned somewhere but wasn't sure if it was a joke. Makes sense. Only one more day, at any rate! And I honestly can't wait.

Completely agreed. Some may be surprised to hear me say this...but there's nothing wrong with a smooth wooden coaster. And they're not all that rare, either. I've come across them in a variety of shapes, sizes, and ages.

Umm, SFOT and SFFT ...because your coming to Texas. Anyway, I can't wait for the announcement on the 30th. I would love to need another credit here, even if it's used.

^I just remembered I took advantage of another offer, so that probably took away the potential to use any out-of-state discount. Anyway, I just find it confusing since this seems to be little-publicized. All this talk of season passes is making me want to figure out which SF park I'll be visiting next so I can buy one!

I remember last year when I was planning to buy my SFOT season pass, people kept telling me to ask for an out-of-state discount. But it wasn't available on the site (which is where I bought it) and I wasn't able to find out if there was any legitimacy to the idea. I guess there's a discount if you purchase at the park, then? I could swear I once heard you were at one time only allowed to buy a season pass if you were within 100 miles of the closest Six Flags park. But since that doesn't make any sense...I guess I'm wrong.

I'm sick right now, so I decided to check my blood pressure and ambient heart rate again. My blood pressure is still normal, but my heart rate came out at 96 bpm. But now I don't know if that's because my heart rate has traditionally been very, very bad when I don't exercise, or if it's because I'm sick and slightly distressed about it.

^^I knew that would make it here. I still find it pretty hilarious. In fact, sometimes when I ride one of those spin-it-yourself rides now and it starts getting really wobbly, I wonder if it's about to work its way off the platform.