cfc

^Steak and Parmesan truffle fries? Sold!

^The back row is the best for both Apollo's Chariot and Griffon.

Chiapas is right up there with Splash Mountain at Disney and the Timber Mountain Log Ride at Knott's.

^Thank you, Larry. Plus, Potts Park had its own kitchen magnet.

The Italian Margarita sounds great.

Karnan is a great ride! One of my favorites from TPR's latest Europe trip.

Yay for kitchen magnets! Gotta head out to Lagoon one of these days--for Cannibal, dark rides, BBQ, and magnets.

We'll see. I'd like them to go a little crazy with theming on this ride.

The original version of Howl-o-Scream's "Monster Stomp" show used to be in the Canadian Palladium, too--and the little theater was often crammed full (it eventually moved to the Abbey Stone in Ireland and then to the Globe in England). That space was a bit cramped.

^Probably not.

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla

And tore down the Canadian Palladium to install the Scrambler. Cannot ever forgive them for that since the Palladium is where I wrote and directed many country shows from 1994-1997. But at least they kept a flat ride, which was popular with kids and families.

It's going to be a big change for New France--which hasn't seen any "big changes" in years (except for when they built the new Trappers Smokehouse).

How about a little InvadR update? There isn't anything "vertical," of course, but the park has been making progress preparing the site in Fort New France, and they've added some new signs to their construction walls. These photos were taken from the train, the path to the LeScoot log flume, and the bridge near Alpengeist. Now, just to make sure we're all on the same page here, it's pronounced "Invad . . . . . . R"! At least the folks on the train emphasize the "R." The "TM" is, I presume, silent. Rounding the bend into the construction zone (not far from the Festhaus). Hmm--looks like something's afoot here. Perhaps, a "footer"? At least that's what I think it is, but this stairway of concrete and rebar could be serving some other purpose. Looking at the site under part of LeScoot, from the train. Lots of signs on the construction walls now. So, you can be a villager, a hot warrior chick . . . . . . or a mascot for a certain football team in Minnesota. Best start girding your loins for war! So, they're being protected from the coaster the Vikings are building? Those Vikings certainly are destructive. Darn those darn ol' Vikings and all their digging! At least they're respecting the Chesapeake Bay Watershed by putting up those erosion barricades. Here's an overhead, through-the-trees" shot of the construction site. The covered area is part of the LeScoot queue. One last look at a bit of concrete-and-rebar work from the Alpengeist bridge. Trappers' Village has a tough defense, but their offense in the "red zone" is questionable. That's all for now.

I like this news. It's good to see more interest in dark rides in parks outside of Disney and Universal.

If you want something "old-fashioned" with a real kick, try Jamestown Island Old Ale from the O'Connor Brewing Co. in Norfolk. This 10.5% brew packs a wallop, and tastes a bit like hard liquor.

C: Cat-Women of the Moon (1953)

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a fun ride in any language.

Potts Blitz--Potts Park (Germany)

Maizie's ESB (Extra Special Bitter)--Alewerks It's a collaboration between Alewerks and the Dog Street Pub in Williamsburg, and if you like bitter (as I do), it's a very good beer. So, go to the Pub and order yourself some nice fish and chips and an ESB.

Lost Gravity was a great ride--one of the screwiest layouts ever, but it works.

Nemesis Inferno--Thorpe Park

I haven't had the chance to ride Storm Chaser yet, but Lightning Run, with its scary airtime, is great.