cfc

"Damn you, people! How many times have I warned you about checking restraints?"

Missing G Force was not missing much. I thought the two best things at Drayton were Apocalypse and The Haunting (and I did get a kick out of Pirate Adventure, as beat up as it was).

^I'd wondered how you fared on that ride, Casey. Now back to our topic already in progress.

Robb and Barry star in "Scanners 2: Electric Boogaloo."

"Beats me what these little things are. I found 'em scattered all over the bottom of the first drop in this big puddle of red goo."

Nice photos--I even thought your "crappy" two-train pic was pretty good. Anton sure did design some beautiful machines. The defunct funhouse at Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk used to have a cool wooden slide, too (I really miss that place).

^My guess is that the hammer condoms were meant to keep the heads from rusting (probably been sitting in storage awhile). Then again, did we really know where those hammers had been? Perhaps hammers and other tools lead secret lives we know nothing about. After all, people don't just get "drunk"--they get "hammered." And hammers are used for "pounding," which has other connotations (just ask anyone acquainted with a certain teenager from Fresno). The mind boggles--or maybe I've just had too much coffee this morning.

^Yes, those lines were a shocking return to reality. Why, they didn't even give me beer! My Country Kitchen meal would've somewhat resembled "the ideal" if I had ordered the actual chicken instead of the "chicken chunks"; but the former didn't look so hot either. The old ladies running the place were quite nice, though--especially the one pushing the mac and cheese "cause it's Stouffer's." Yep, home cooking is always better right out of the box. The best food at PKD is their pizza (a little pricey, but pretty good, if a bit too filling on a hot day).

Hey--when did Elissa take up "apartment wrestling"? I think Lou wins.

^1. According to Jeff (aka pdkcoaster), Shockwave's bizarre paint job is an attempt to make it blend in better with the Nickelodeon kid's area behind it. It really doesn't work, though. 2. I think I'd give BGE staff the edge in friendliness, while the PKD coaster ops seem more efficient (that is, less likely to stack trains). It is hit or miss at BGE--few stacking problems with Nessie and Wolfie, more problems with Appie and Alpie (although Appie has improved over the beginning of the season). I don't think you would've caught Busch staff arguing with guests like I saw at PKD on Sunday, either.

^^The line for IJ last Sunday was about 30 minutes for the front row; they were using the switchbacks under the yellow awning. It's a surprisingly efficient little ride when it gets going. Definitely more fun when all the effects are working, though.

I asked one of the ride-ops at the Grizzly station, who said that they did run two trains on Saturday (probably even busier then). The entrance to Griz is damn hard to find (hell, there wasn't even a sign up on Sunday--just that bear statue, which is tucked away in a corner). All the other coasters had all their trains running (even the lousy Hurler). Overall, the ride-ops were pretty good (didn't waste much time dispatching trains).

This TR has brought out the National Center for State Courts in me (well, I do work there). Here's my geeky question: Was the court using the one-day/one-trial system? (That is, you serve for just one day or for just one trial, no matter how long it takes.) NCSC is also publishing a new edition of its classic tome Jury Trial Innovations. Hey, the one time I can browse TPR at the office and claim it's work related. One caution--do not encourage folks to post pictures of themselves while waiting to serve jury duty. Seriously, this is not a good idea, especially if a case needs an anonymous jury.

Yep--Volcano is still the best ride there, but the woodies (except for Hurler on most days) should get some more respect than they do. I even had to wait five minutes for the back row of Anaconda (usually can walk right on to the damn thing). Ah yes, Kumba--the Thunder Raceway go-kart track. It's right next to Grizzly's exit. PKD does its bit for the environment by chopping down trees and increasing carbon-dioxide emissions.

As I said, it ended as a pretty good day at the park. Here's my second set of pics. Chuck We end with a self-portrait on the flyers. Thanks for reading! I am blown away by the attitude and charisma of the Hurler ride-op. Yes, it is catching! After binding my wrist following the blood sacrifice, I do further penance on the Hurler. These people experience the sheer joy of riding Avalanche--for tacos. Please exit this way for tacos. The Volcano God's will be done! "These mortals aided in the blood sacrifice! Reward them with a truly insane ride! So commands the Volcano God!" "The one called Chuck has offered me his precious blood! I am appeased! All may ride and praise the mighty name of the Volcano God!" "Bah! You think that throwing your mortal money at a native hut can appease the Volcano God? I require something more precious!" "I am the Volcano God! The ones called Jess and Byron have dishonored me! I must be appeased, or no one may ride!" I finally bite the bullet, gird my loins, and queue up for Volcano. Remember--be good to the Anaconda fender, and it'll be good to you. In desperation, while waiting for Volcano to thin out, I ride in the rear car of Anaconda. (Actually, not as bad as I'd feared.) "We are riding backwards on Rebel Yell. Let us pray for our immortal souls!" But Rebel Yell offers redemption. ("Say, is that man gonna try and sell us that picture?") Looks like no Drop Zone for me today--not with that line.

Greetings, Fellow TPRites, I made my sad-and-pathetic solo way to Paramount's Kings Dominion to wile away a Sunday (hey, we all must worship in our own way) and get my fix of the park's woodies and the recently reopened Volcano: The Blast Coaster. The day did not start auspiciously, with sometimes drizzly, sometimes driving rain as me and my Saturn Ion cruised up Interstates 64, 295, and 95 from Willy's Burg. Well, rain will keep the crowds down, right? Wrong! The joint was jumping when I got there a little after 10:00 am, as long lines (well, more like a group of multiple mobs) waited at the park entrance. Seems that PKD wasn't letting people in before the "official" park opening time of 10:30. I'm not sure why, but my guess is that it had to do with all the EMT units from all over Virginia who had gathered there for their annual show-and-tell (maybe they were still setting up at 10:00). At any rate, guests were getting impatient, and some cast members were yelling at folks. Not a good start. I finally got in around 10:45, and made my way back to Hypersonic, which already had a 30-minute wait (for a four-second ride). In for a penny, I thought, so I waited it out, had a great, gut-busting ride, then ambled over to Volcano, where the wait was already about 90 minutes! Aghh! I settled for the 30-minute wait of Italian Job, which was sans helicopter and water effects (but had plenty of noise and flames). By then, it was time for a mediocre PKD lunch. The day was not looking great, but the low point was yet to come. As I waited patiently for a front seat on the Grizzly, which was running one train (grr!), I stood behind two couples who planned to ride in the same train. The couple in the second seat, just to make sure they could ride with their friends in the very front, waved the folks behind them to come on up. OK. Unfortunately, the "folks behind" were a group of four, so the couple in the front seat line waved the other two in ahead of them without asking me if I minded. The answer to that question would've been "sure," but I would've appreciated being asked. I actually thought about bagging it early, but Rebel Yell proved to be PKD's redemption that day. The forwards side was out-of-control and great, but the backwards side in the very back car was freakin' insane. Ejector air like crazy--the best ride I'd ever had on Rebel Yell. So, I stuck it out and ended up having a good day (depsite having to wait 90 minutes for Volcano). Even the Hurler was half-decent. And now, the first set of pics. Chuck I'm the happy, smiling Chuck! Now gimme a second train for Grizzly! Grr! I'm a big, bad Grizzly! Gimme some pic-a-nic baskets! Lunch: The Reality. Lunch: The Ideal. Yes, all these poor souls are waiting to ride the Togo Death Machine (Shockwave). Sigh . . . At least this part of Italian Job works today. I wonder if that woman on the right has plans to use that beach towel? Must remember to avoid the water park today. As I wander aimlessly, I am moved by this tribute to Dr. Albert Scrambler, who has done so much for the people of Africa. You mean the line starts down there? Holy crap! I rush to Volcano, hoping to beat the crowds. I leave the reassuring presence of the fire trucks and ambulances for four seconds of blissful terror on Hypersonic. . . . maybe I'll get in the ambulance now and avoid the rush. Yes, I feel safer already with this guy on the job. On second thought . . . Volcano: The Death Machine was running, so PKD sent in plenty of EMTs and firemen just to be safe.

Robb's audition tape shows why Johnny Depp was awarded the role of Capt. Jack Sparrow. But Robb still hopes to land the lead in the inevitable porno ripoff--"Dead Man's Breasts."

^After looking over this dump, I imagine they had use for the extinguisher elsewhere in the facility.

Good stuff, Erik. You were only about 15 minutes away from my house when you were at BGE. I know what you mean about the ride-ops on Alpengeist; AC seems to have the same problem (I got really sick of hearing the word "reset" while waiting to board a few weeks back). Oh, well--at least Alpie and Appie are great rides. For some reason, those old Arrows, Nessie and BBW, have great crews who rarely stack up the trains.

Is the simulator "Pedro's Reality Ride"? I can only guess what that would be about--perhaps a mad dash to escape immigration authorities? Or perhaps just a simulation of Pedro mowing his lawn in suburban Columbia, S.C.?

I actually have two South of the Border coffee mugs (cost me two bucks on sale) and an official Pedro kitchen magnet. Probably their biggest sale of the day.

Happy Birthday, Louise--that's quite an impressive pile of loot! In fact, ye best keep a weather eye open, wench! Loot? Arghh, did I hear some swab say loot?

Ah-h-h-h . . . the laxatives have finally kicked in.

Looks like it's better shape than Fantazyland, but I wouldn't be expecting a TR from Dubai Dave anytime soon.

It is a rather eerie sight when you round the turn out of Nessie's station and encounter all the devastation--and when you fly by on Alpengeist. I, too, am looking forward to seeing how Nessie, Alpie, and Griffie (?) interact with one another.