cfc

^If it's a race between something on treads and somethibg on tires, bet on the rubber!

Good Morning, All, I spent last night at BGE to look at the progress on the destruction of the old LeMans Raceway, as well as to check out Kinetix (the replacement for Imaganique) and do some ridin'. Kinda hot and sticky, but there was a light crowd, and I was able to get some great after-dark rides on all the coasters, with DarKastle thrown in for good measure. (Note to Ryan King: There's a "living statue" dude in the DarKastle queue who will totally pound it with you.) And now, a look at the devastation that was LeMans--BGE is moving pretty quickly on this. Chuck PS--Kinetix was OK, but I'm not exactly an aficionado of theme-park shows. Like Imaganique, this is "Cirque d'Soleil" lite, only with an onstage rock band and more dancing. The trampoline act was probably the best part. Remember--nothing runs and digs and crushes and destroys like a Deere! Hmm--move this shed to So Cal, and it's a $1.5 million fixer-upper opportunity. OK, I want hard hats and goggles, people! A refugee from the ruins makes off with a precious piece of waffle cone. . . . and "immense strength" is required. Perhaps BGE will offer "Griffon Super Stick" deodorant as a tie-in. . . . of a "vertical" nature . . . So there's "flight" involved . . . Even Alpengeist is impressed by the destructive forces that have been unleashed. Boy, those crepe myrtles are tough! Wonder how much time they have left? . . . the devastation being wrought less than 100 yards away! From the skyride: A Clydesdale grazes peacefully, totally unaware of . . .

Land of the Dragons at BGE has a few kiddie rides (including a small ferris wheel and a teeny flume with dragon boats). But it is largely a playground.

^They should retheme the whole park to the Simpsons, Family Guy, and Futurama. (By the way--I used to dislike Family Guy, but screening a few episodes during the UK trip has forced me to rethink my opinion a bit. Still more of a Simpsons man, though.) Nice choice of name, I think--fits in well with Euroburg's other mythological beasties. Now if only we knew for sure what kind of a bird it will be.

Does "Big Bad Wolf" remind you of Disney too much?

Hmm--the southern California trip I booked way back when has me leaving on Aug. 17. Naturally. Well, maybe I can rearrange things a bit.

My flight back is on the 17th, but my plans are fairly flexible otherwise.

If yer hard up for credits, there's also Funderwoods in Lodi, just outside of Stockton: http://www.rcdb.com/ig395.htm So, Micke's Grove still lives in some form, I see.

My family used to make a trip to the Nut Tree once or twice a year back in the 1960s. The restaurant was great--especially their Turkey Tamales and Mini-hamburgers. The grounds used to be beautiful, and there was this excellent toy store. I'm glad to see that this old landmark is coming back in some form.

Howdy everyone, My sibs and I decided to treat our parents to Disneyland tickets as a joint Mother's/Father's Day present. They've taken us plenty of times, so we figure we should return the favor. After stopping over in French Camp for my niece Sarah's wedding, we'll be ambling down to Anaheim. We'll be there Aug. 13-17. I'm thinking of heading over to Knott's for fried chicken and some ridin' on Sunday, Aug. 13 (kind of depends on what my parents, and any other nieces or nephews who tag along, want to do). Just thought I'd mention it in case anybody wants to meet up at Knott's, Disneyland, or DCA. This will be my first visit there since 2001. Just post something here or PM me or send a carrier pigeon to Williamsburg or something. If not, well I won't be completely sad and pathetic. Chuck

Be advised that there are no credits there (as far as I know). My only experience with the place was a Cub Scout trip when I was eight--I remember having a good time, even though we had to run around with tambourines for some reason.

At least they managed to beat the Rams twice last season.

Perhaps your next TR should be from Pixie Woods in Stockton, Ryan. I think it still exists. It was a fun place for kids back when I was a kid (w-a-a-a-y before your time), but god only knows what it's like now.

^Yeah, that was a pretty cool show, I thought (especially the dragon, the bar, and the ice cream).

"Charles" is Teutonic and means "manly," as should be obvious from the picture below. "Chuck," on the other hand, is something you grind up for taco meat.

I just got one-upped But I posted it first, so Oh yeah? Well mine has ice cream! I salute you, o whatever the hell your name was!

Imagine old world wrestling campeen Stan "The Man" Stasiak using a "Heart Thingy Punch" as his finishing move. Boy, that dates me.

Hmm--Fresno is still two credits up on Modesto. Now there's something to be proud of!

Looks like Casey's goin' for the old groin buster! The fans are sure getting their money's worth in this eXtreme theme-park death match!

^^I was one of those poor souls who missed Space Invader.

^^I think the only reason it lasted as long as it did was because a bald eagle had nested on top of the lifthill (couldn't be touched then--federal law). ^Vincent Price is an old fave of mine, too--love those Roger Corman Poe flicks.

Remember that we were just kidding the new guy CoasterBill--don't let us scare you away from TPR.

"Auntie Kristie" would be such a great character in an Omen flick.

So, having an "Auntie Kristie" would be a bad thing.

LOL! I've heard it was so rough! It would have made it to coaster hell insted! That's where it sent its riders.