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Presented by "the Munchies"? I bet this ride rocks when you're stoned.

Double yay!

A TPR Bash just over an hour from my house--woo hoo!

^^They serve pizza and ribs at the Festhaus, too--and you can get a sandwich in the Festhaus Kaffe shop. You can buy Quick Queue in some of the gift shops, such as the main one in England (across from the Old Globe Theatre).

I was blown away by IOA when I first visited the place in 2000 and preferred it to the Studio park; my opinion has since reversed. I think it's a combination of what everyone has already posted; plus, I've always thought that Toon Lagoon was one of the butt-ugliest sections of any park I'd ever visited (but was willing to overlook this thanks to the excellent water rides). That being said, I am looking forward to seeing the Harry Potter stuff--I just hope that the rest of IOA ups its game a bit.

^^England is where you enter the park, and they serve breakfast at the Squire's Galley.

There's some big stuff outside the main museum building. Let's take a look, shall we? OK, Matt and Jeff--you got your tissues? Good for you! This was the train that transported American servicemen, government officials, and their families through the occupied sectors of Germany following WWII. "I must see your papers, capitalist swine!" My, that's one big landing craft you've got there. "Hello, AAA? Have I got a job for you." It wouldn't be a U.S. Army base without some barbed wire. Now for some really cool stuff. This was a sort of "hover jeep." "Hop in my Chrysler, it's as big as a whale, and it's about to set sail!" Actually, this "hover car" could "set sail." The museum has some interesting footage of it operating on land and water. This looks like something from NASA, but the Army was testing this walker out to use on rough terrain (again, there's video of it in action at the museum). And now, the USA's greatest contribution to WWII (well, aside from sexy pinup posters of Betty Grable and Rita Hayworth). We finished our visit with a look at the very first jeep. Onward to Hampton! Arr! I sense there be scurvy pirates about! And here be a few, sez I! Blackbeard was killed in battle off the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and his head was displayed on a pike in Hampton harbor; hence, the reason for the festival. The surviving members of his crew were tried for piracy, convicted, and hanged in Williamsburg. Aye, there be a likely looking vessel . . . . . . for them what wants to join a pirate crew! That winch weighs about 1,000 lbs. They use it to raise the sails. "Avast! There goes me contact lens!" The captain's quarters are not for the likes of a swab like meself. For a daughter who appreciates a good, goofy t-shirt. "So, whar be Blue Oyster Cult playin' tonight?" (Yes, BOC did perform at the Blackbeard Festival, but we had to miss them.) "Aye, Blackbeard wants his picture taken with BOC!" "In walked a jelly fish." Here be some low-rent pirates! They be bringin' down the property values in their scurvy craft. Arr, I hates low-rent pirates, sez I! Send 'em to Davy Jones, wench! It's always Happy Hour at Bloodthirsty's Tavern. "Yes, we be Blackbeard's crew. Now buy some crap!" Well, that what I get fer bein' a scallywag! Thanks for readin', mate.

My buddy Brian blew into town to eat BBQed tri-tip, drink some beer and wine, and catch the B-52s concert at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. While we were at it, we decided to check out the Hampton Blackbeard Festival--but were distracted on the way down I-64 East. Brian noted how we had both driven past the exit for the U.S. Army Transportation Museum at Ft. Eustis about a hundred times (well, probably closer to one thousand times for me), but had never checked the place out. Was there a reason for this? Well, being as the museum was free, it wouldn't cost us to find out. Turned out to be a fairly interesting place, full of old trucks, wagons, jeeps, and even some bizarre experimental vehicles going all the way back to the 18th century--not to mention a fair selection of creepy mannequins in sometimes unnatural poses. So, if you're interested in army transportation ("The Spearhead of Logistics"), jeeps, trucks, and bizarre experimental vehicles, and are looking for something a bit different than BGW and Colonial Williamsburg, you might give the place a shot. (My Dad, who was an Air Force mechanic in the 1950s, would love this joint.) Just cruise on down I-64 East to Newport News and check out the U.S. Army Transportation Museum. What have you got to lose? (Well, other than a few hours, and maybe your car keys if you're not careful.) Better hurry! Only 18 days until the raffle! "Yay! Army transportation rocks!" Bet you didn't know this! Well, you do now. You know, Brian's wife and kids would've been bored to death here. Go figure. "Why, I'm just super, . . . . . . thanks for asking!" Pick the real mannequin! Win a free pass to the museum! U.S. Army Donkey says, "Club TPR wants you!" "Let's see, maybe if I jiggle this wire . . . oh, who the hell am I kidding? I haven't got a freakin' clue!" Dwight Eisenhower commanded this convoy. It took about 20 days. TPR's Mid-America Trip will beat this time easily. And here's one of the trucks Eisenhower commanded. This is for the fans of both jeeps and trains. Satisfied? This one rode the "Burma Road" during WWII. As I recall, the road through Mong Yu eventually got you to Long Wang. This is a "DUK"--a combination truck and boat developed during WWII. "'Cause suicide is painless./It brings on many changes." "I tell ya, it's murder bouncing around in these jeeps with my 'roids! It's like Satan is dancing on my hind quarters." "My heart bleeds for you, Yankee dog." OK, can anyone spot the flaw in this particular concept? Seems to me that standing on top of an enormous Cuisnart would be a rather dicey proposition, especially during choppy weather. "You know, they could've posed me with a machine gun on the back of a truck, but no-o-o-o-o! I gotta sit behind a stupid typewriter!" This is the only "gun truck" to come back from Vietnam. I'm sure that Dave and Ice Bat would be very interested in this option for any vehicle they might purchase in the future. Here's some high-tech Viet Cong transport. Pretty effective, as it turns out. "Kurtz? You're talkin' about the man! He has enlarged my mind!" This vehicle saw action in Iraq, . . . . . . as you can tell by the IED damage. "Well, at least I'm not sitting behind a typewriter." More to come from the Transportation Museum--with a wee bit of the Blackbeard Festival.

Yes, we did score ice cream twice that day. (Sort of a tradition here.)

^That was one nice thing about the pay toilets in the UK--they always had attendants to keep them clean. Glad to hear that Coney Beach is still in business, even without Megablitz (at least they still have the amazing-in-its-cheesiness Ghost Train).

Hmm--I am somewhat intrigued by the "pizza cone," but I know you have rather high standards for pizza. Fun stuff, Larry--that camera was a good investment.

^So, that's what you two were up to while I was slaving away at the office. You hit KD at the perfect time--nice weather and light crowds.

^^I don't think I'd want to try a water slide that requires a crash helmet. ^Water Country's Rampage is similar to this one--it's the scariest ride there.

I recommend not making any more assumptions until we have more information.

^You should've seen the ones I didn't use.

Great video of Rage--but why is it "for superheroes only"?

Quoted for emphasis.

Well, those toilets would certainly discourage anyone from lingering long enough to read People Magazine. I know that I'm going to experience a bit of "trip envy" as your TR continues, Divv.

Seven days until their new fence? Looking forward to seeing what Grona Lund has up its sleeve next--it's a great park.

^My guess would be that if they did do such a show, very few people would connect it with the movie, anyway (at least without some prodding).

^I had the same reaction ot Silver Star that I had to Thunder Dolphin: "Wow, that looks great, but it really isn't as good as it looks." Silver Star isn't a bad ride, just lacking in something for me. But I'm glad you enjoyed it--that's what it's all about. I've never done one of the tours, so I'm afraid I can't help you out much here.

I think Apollo's Chariot is a lot of fun in the backseat, and I like Hollywood Dream, too. The worst of the bunch, to me, at least, is Silver Star, Europa Park's only real bummer (it's just kind of boring, even though it looks incredible).

And to that I say .

Here's one last look at a great day and evening. Presenting one of the weirdest theme-park shows ever: "The World's Largest Living Cuckoo Clock." They start with some wood chopping, . . . . . . followed by some plywood-cow milking. Our story so far . . . A man and his sheep. Nuff said about that. "Guten morgen!" "The flowers, they are a bit dry, ja!" Roll out the barrel . . . Hmm--I have a feeling that something goofy . . . . . . this way comes! Yay! Feierwerks! "Screw das feierwerks! Make with the oompah dancing! Eat your hearts out, TPR Europe trippers!" IllumiNights--The Sparkly Banner. The acrobats were quite good. How many of you could totally do this? Or this? Hmm--I imagine some TPR members may have tried this, but with how much success? They were, indeed, limber little minxes. Part of IllumiNights' explosive finish. Many of the performers were available for photos on the way out. We missed the wee little leprechaun earlier, so here he is now. Jason likes dancing the can-can and eating bread--hence, this photo. Thanks for reading--and my thanks to Dave, Jason, and Kerry for coming to the 'Burg last weekend!

Pre-Independence Day at BGW with Dave, Jason, and Kerry Happy Post-Fourth of July, everyone! I hope y'all enjoyed a fine weekend of BBQ and things that explode harmlessly in midair. As for me, I got to hang out with Dave, Jason, and Kerry at Busch Gardens on Saturday, and it was great. Of course, we had lots of company, but thanks to Unlimited Quick Queue, no worries. Heck, we even waited in the "standby line" a few times for some backseat rides on Apollo's Chariot (including one especially awesome run after the evening's fireworks). We also checked out some of BGW's new "IlluminiNights: A Busch Gardens Encore" program, which runs nightly through August 22. This is a series of short shows that start at 5:00 pm and run on the hour. Each country has its own unique presentation (we caught three of them): Ireland uses a "leprechaun" and larger-than-life puppets to tell some of the myths of the Emerald Isle. France features a short parade. Germany provides the world's largest "living cuckoo clock." Italy showcases the talents of acrobats. Each of these shows lasts somewhere between 5 and 10 minutes, and the evening is capped off with a fireworks display and synchronized music at 9:30. (Note the Busch Gardens Railroad shuts down at 7:45 to prepare for the pyrotechnics--they launch them from the Rhine River Trestle). OK, this is no "Illuminations," but it is a nice way to end the day the park. Here's a look. "Look! I printed my ticket all by myself!" The trunstile and Dave's finger were having "issues." Spot the credit whores! Win a kewpie doll! Careful! Riders have been know to pass out in the backseat due to the forces! I hope Jason and Kerry survive! Grover is ruthless! "Phew! This'll be a walk in the park compared to the hell that was Grover's Alpine Express!" The hell? It's Mothra! Run! Nothing says "Ireland" like giant, brightly colored cigarettes. Spot Ice Bat and win yerself a seegar! Dave had to hit road, so he missed out on the frozen magaritas, . . . . . . beer, and . . . . . . the parade. (And we all know how much Dave loves parades.) These paraders aren't merely French. They are FRANCH! Looks like Hulk Hogan has found a new job. "Look! I have zee poodles! Because I am FRANCH!" Yes, they were FRANCHING all over the place. Anyone for zee FRANCH cuisine? Hey, when did Colin start working at BGW? Nice to see that they found another use for the old Le Mans race cars. "Mon dieu! Looks like someone missed zee memo about vearing zee underwear today!" A FRANCH UFO, I guess. I guess someone has to clean up after a parade. More to come.