cfc

I've been though three hurricanes in Virginia: Gloria (not as bad as feared), Floyd (worse than Gloria), and Isabel (just about as bad as feared). Williamsburg is pretty far inland, but we were still slammed pretty hard by Isabel, and it was a Category 1 (I lost power for about six days and saw trees fall on three neighbors' houses). so, I guess the lesson is, keep a "weather eye" open, monitor the forecasts, and have your supplies ready. I'm sure the state of Florida can provide you with some sort of "hurricane manual" (wouldn't surprise me if Disney had one, too).

I'd say Bonfante (now Gilroy) Gradens and, yep, DCA. Bonfante is a great family park with beautiful landscaping, but what it really needs, I think, is a first-class flume ride and dark ride. When I first visited DCA, I had read all sorts of stuff online saying that I should hate it, that they should turn it back into a parking lot, etc. I don't think any park has been so slammed while it was being built. While I agree that it can't compare to Disneyland (and that Disney made some mistakes--Superstar Limo being the biggest), I've always had a good time at DCA (as has the rest of my family).

^Maybe it can, maybe it can't. Yes, the track is finished, but who knows how much tweaking and testing needs to be done, along with the landscaping and theming? According to this morning's Daily Press, they're still waiting for the third train. Time will tell. All I know is that I'm looking forward to May. And if something happens in April, we can all be pleasantly surprised.

The date has been announced--May 25.

Yep, they're quite similar. Why "reinvent the wheel"? They're using a shot of Sheikra on a BGE commercial, too. Well, they'll be able to use the real Griffon eventually.

^Yeah--you need to buy the "flux capacitor" option to hit that speed, and it really reduces your gas mileage.

Thanks for the link--really gives you a good feel for the ride will be like, I think.

Happy Birthday, you dadburn, Japan-lovin', beer-drinkin', blog-makin' hippie!

Happy news, indeed--but Yeti Ball does look a bit hungry . . .

The pirate group's lead female singer last summer wasn't bad, either. Aye, a tidy stern section had she!

^Arghh! A pyrate without a beard be like ship without a rudder--lost and adrift he be, sez I!

Thanks for the tribute to the "good" Pirates, Jahan. I know what you mean about that song--they played it about every five minutes when I was there last August, along with asking everyone to take the "Pirate Oath" every two minutes. Some of the strolling pirates harrassing people in the French Market were pretty funny, though.

^Olive loaf and mushy tortilla sandwiches are a delicacy there, I hear.

^I'm perversely looking forward to Mind Eraser at SFA, Eric. ^^Try BGE on a Saturday during the summer--woo, boy! Rule of thumb: If they're using the Scotland and Bavaria parking lots, go do something else.

^It's one of Disney's signature audio-animatronic rides--and one of Disney-MGM's original attractions. Basically, you cruise through AA re-creations for scenes from a number os classic movies, such as Alien, The Wizard of Oz, and Casablanca.

^And any resulting infection can be treated with standard antibiotics.

Speaking as someone who makes his living editing and proofreading, when you do it right, nobody notices, but when you do it wrong, nobody forgets. We all make mistakes--you have to a sense of humor (and a fairly thick skin) in this line of work.

^Welcome to the boards--glad you had a good time at Euroburg. You might want to be a bit more careful in future posts with your spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. As for the bag policy, I wonder how long it will last--especially when people start showing up with those enormous stuffed animals they just won at the carnival games.

^Yep--that first leg of the skyride will become a lot more interesting.

^No Piggly Wigglies in California--maybe Safeway or Save Mart? I'm sure Roeding Park could use a ride-op or two.

I froze my face off on the Loch Ness Monster at Euroburg's passholder preivew on Saturday, Mar. 17. We even had a few (well, tiny) snow flurries that day.

^Looks like Doggie King Dogfood was contaminated with Mountainbook Wine. Eating Raoul raouls, er, rules!

Nice pictures, Chris--some very nice angles on Griffon. I'll be back when it's a wee bit warmer, I think. Nice bumping into you and Jeff.

^All were open, but there seemed to be a number of problems, particularly with Alpengeist. The cold and first-day stumbling about, perhaps.

Just got back from BGE's passholder preview where I 1. Froze my butt off (there were actually some very brief snow flurries today), and 2. Got a closer look at Griffon. In sum, this new dive machine looks great! It really dominates the back of the park. How much? Let's have a look, shall we? . . . "Defy the Five!" Thanks for reading. Taken near Alpengeist: I leave you with these words: You once "Feared the Four," but now you can . . . Wow--you'll barely be able to see Griffon once these trees "leaf out." . . . this Immelmann. From Nessie's station--this drop will take you to . . . The water-filled dummies are strapped in and ready to ride! Griffon's loading station as the Balmoral Castle chugs by. Right, Jeff? You know, I hear that scarfing down ribs while coaster trains roar by is better for your digestion than breathing exhaust from a kiddie-car ride. The view from the front of the Smokehouse. Griffy, Alpie. Alpie, Griffy. Yes, even Ed Wood, Jr., could get good shots from this spot. Hmm--Criswell predicts that many pictures will be taken from this spot. Griffon from the Clydesdales' point of view. Yes, don't forget to stop by the gift shop on your way out. I dispathed the leprechaun by hitting him with a steel chair while the ref's back was turned. Now on to Griffon! So, it's Griffon ye be wantin' to see, is it? Well, first ye must wrestle this leprechaun, it being St. Patty's day and all. Here's one I forgot to add earlier--the view from the Rhine River Bridge.