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Maybe they could spin this as a successful test of the e-stop button.

I'd just like to add that I had trouble enough building plastic monster models from kits when I was younger. Your coaster models are very impressive.

^I'd recommend visiting in May, before the season really kicks off. Weekdays in the summer should be OK (the water parks should be open seven days a week starting in June), but avoid Saturdays. I'd get a room in Williamsburg and rent a car. The drive to KD is just a little over an hour, and there's more non-park stuff to do in the 'Burg. There are plenty of hotels here that should meet your needs (not so near KD). You can buy tickets for both Bucsh Gardens and Water Country USA, but KD's Water Works is part of your park admission.

Yes, the good people of Intamin are evil geniuses! Expedition GeForce shot to the top of my list, too.

Isn't this one of the biggest "ifs" about this park? It's been listed as "opening soon" since last season, I think.

Anyone else find it amusing that the park's main character is bald? Come to think of it, give Mr. Six a white barber's jacket and a thin gray moustache, and he would be the spitting image of Clyde Cripe, the guy who used to cut my hair when I was a kid.

This is getting to be pretty typical in Virginia, too. Northern Virginia is sort of "SoCal Lite"; in fact, DC is often referred to as "Hollywood for ugly people" (such as senators and congressmen). South of Williamsburg is getting worse, too. It's the most densely populated region of Virginia next to northern Virginia (Virginia Beach is actually the state's largest city in terms of population). Traffic jams in the summer, although nothing compared to what you see in California, can be pretty annoying because of inadequate roads and the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (not to mention people who scream for road improvements, yet don't want to pay for them). That being said, I'd rather be here than in California.

^Better get Flash Pass then.

Sounds like their hair salons will be better themed than many of their parks. I may be wrong, but I give this new enterprise one year--tops. Or maybe until April 1, when this is revealed to be an elaborate April Fools joke.

What's interesting here is that when Marriott was considering turning Great America into an industrial park, the city of Santa Clara cited the loss of summer jobs and activities for teenagers as one reason that they really wanted to keep the theme park. If your speculation is correct, how times have changed.

^^Pork curry cutlets and meat on a stick--oh, yeah . . . I'm not a big sushi fan, either, but that could be because I've never experienced good sushi.

CGA has always been an underperforming park, I think. Marriott, the park's original developer, wanted to dismantle the place and turn the land into an industrial park because they were disappointed in their annual profits--but the city of Santa Clara objected (they ended up running the park for a few years, until Paramount came along). I remember how Great America was surrounded by a whole lot of nothing when it opened in the late 1970s (it was quite nice then, too). You could see the Sky Wheel (long since defunct) from miles away. Now it's hemmed in by a lot of other buildings. It may just be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

^Angus's shots are up to date, but you never know about "Cat Scratch Fever." You might want to see your doctor if you feel the sudden urge to do the "Wango Tango."

That is unfortunate. Turbine was easily the best coaster at Walibi (although my favorite attraction there was the shooting dark ride). At least they still have a very good mine train.

^Hmm--come to think of it, he was a little rowdy this morning, batting a ball all over the house. Sorry about that, Colin. Looks like Angus needs a timeout.

Yes, Angus McNasty! The cat that takes no crap! The cat who knows 1001 ways to kill you! Actually, Angus has mellowed quite a bit over the last few years, although he did beat the crap out of some black cat last week. He was very nice to Colin this week.

Colin and Norm will be a'headin' north tomorrow morning. We tooled a bit around the 'Burg this evening, mainly to pay proper homage to a local icon--Pierce's Pitt Bar-B-Que. Colin fuels up. That's all! Have a great, safe trip, Colin! . . . Pierce's! Yes, a mere stone's throw (if you have a strong arm) from the Great Woldf Lodge on E. Rochambeau. On that appetizing note, we were off to . . . . . . grease! So, off we go, in search of a nice pulled-pork samich, as well as . . . Here's the nerve center--where foul waste product is strained, filtered, and turned into fuel. Here's Norm--and Colin's feet.

Once again, I have deduced three places where "Robb and Elissa Are Not." Yes, I know you are all impressed with my deductive powers--sometimes, they frighten even me! Robb and Elissa are not: 3. trying to pull themselves out of this this grease trap after a bender at J. M. Randalls in Williamsburg. Where else are they not? 2. enjoying a brew with Bela Lugosi at Castle Dracula; or 1. increasing their knowledge of American history at President's Park;

^They run "Elvira's Superstition" during Haunt, but other than that, just Spongebob. I rather liked backwards Rebel Yell--it was truly terrifying.

^Yes. It is dimensionally transcendental.

As I recall, they used to serve launch at the Big Thunder Barbeque . . . SLAP! OK, I'll shut up now.

^Seems that a lot of restaurants sell their waste grease to companies that use it in other products, Scott. One of my donors had to back out, so I scrambled around town to find some others yesterday (may have found one). Joe, how can you make a pecan pie without bourbon? Larry, we'll totally have a BBQ here the next time you're in town (same for Guy). PS--J.M. Randalls, a local bar and grill, has agreed to donate some oil.

Colin rolled into my place in Williamsburg around six this evening. (Well, he didn't literally roll "into" my place. That would've wrecked my living room. He's just parked out front.) Norm seems to be running just fine now, but after all the problems that Colin has had over the last few days, he deserved a big meal for for a hard-working auto mechanic, served by some wise-cracking, gum-chewing waitress with big breasts named "Wanda" or, perhaps, "Deb." But being as we don't have any joints like that around here since Frank's Truck Stop went out of business a few years ago, he had to settle for a BBQ at my place. Here's a look. Dinner is served! . . . but it will cook into an awesome pie! Yes, it may look like cat puke now . . . But my assistant here can add the vanilla. Being as I am "of age," it's up to me to add the most crucial ingredient. Time to beat four eggs. Yes, you eggs have defied us for the last time! Beat them, Colin! Beat them good! Add a half-cup of butter, then stir it over medium heat until the butter is melted and the sugar dissolved. This recipe needs a whole cup of sugar, plus a whole cup of corn syrup. Yes, Dan and Dave should look away now! First, get yourself a saucepan. Then put your house back on its foundation. And for dessert--chocolate pecan pie. Mmmm--a nice, marinaded London broil with roasted red potatoes with garlic, pepper, and rosemary. Where there is meat, there must be fire!

And, once again, as a public service, I am going to tell you "Where Robb and Elissa Are Not." Robb and Elissa (and Joey) are not: 3. sharing a nice plate of corned-beef hash and eggs at Mama Steve's House of Pancakes. I wonder where else Robb and Elissa are not? 2. waiting in line for a car wash at the Texaco station on Richmond Road; or 1. hiding in my holly bushes;

Seconds or minutes?