bert425

Gemini at CP might surprise you.. I liked it a LOT (way more than I was expecting, and we re-rode it multiple times). It makes my top 20 (at 20, but it's there) Seeing as Rebel Yell and Excalibur are sitting in the 60s on my list (out of 110), I'm doubtful Gemini will make it anywhere above the 40s. Batman is one of my yardstick coasters, and that sits around 35. wood frame but steel tubular tracks. . it's Smoooooth. Surprised the hell out of me how much I loved it. (and of course, the racing aspect adds to the fun) [youtu_be] [/youtu_be]

We met up with Bill & Brit over the weekend. I dunno, I think they had a miserable time. Nothing but frowns and scowls on their face the entire weekend. I might be lying... LOL.. was that them on the Peoplemover live stream with you?

Hope things continue to improve for you! 25 lbs just mainly from changing eating habits is great, so congrats on sticking with the healthier options. I too cut out all sodas a couple of years ago (except for the occasional "coke" portion of a Crown and Coke ). I know some folks like to weigh every day , or every other day, but since I know weight fluctuates that would make me crazy. So instead I only weigh once a week. I do stick only with my home scale, since as you noted, different scales weigh differently. So by tracking on my home scale, I can get a lbs total (up or down) and know even if the overall weight is going to be different at check-ups, I still have an idea of total weight gain/loss. sorry you're struggling/surviving with medical issues, and I hope they can get your pain under control! best, bert

and I'm sure no copyright infringement implied at all. . . . . I mean, that's CERTAINLY not Woody and Jessie in the front

Just thought it might be a fun idea to start a thread for encouragement and support for those who want to manage their weight to get ready for the 2018 season . . it's a new year, and many parks aren't open yet, so perfect time to start working on ourselves. (I saw a Weight Loss thread from 2010, but that seemed to be about fad diets, and wasn't the kind of thing I was thinking of. . . more the kind of "accountability" thread, where we can share ideas, and encourage one another.. .if anyone is interested in participating of course). I had slowly crept up pretty heavy a few years back as I was getting older. I still "fit" in every coaster, tho sometimes "stapling" was needed, and I preferred the "big boy" seats. looking back at the pics from BGW in 2015, I realize I was almost 250lbs, and was on two Blood Pressure Meds, and a Cholesterol Med. At BGW I hated having to be on the medications, and my Doctor had been after me for a while to drop some weight. Nothing really got me motivated, until one of my friends told me at Dragon*con one year: "you're still thin from behind. . it's not until you turn around that you see the big belly" my 1st response was: "screw you" my 2nd response was to look at the BGW pictures (from a month earlier) and decide she was right, and started a diet/exercise program that I could stick to. With my medical limitations, certain exercises are not available to me, but I CAN walk, so took that on as my exercise of choice, and over the next year, I dropped ~75 lbs, and by the time we got married in 2016, I was down to ~175lbs, and my Doctor has taken me off all of my medications. I maintained that weight for all of 2016. . but then my Mom passed in early 2017 (and the month leading up to her death, with so many trips back and forth to Houston really threw me off my program). It took me months to recover to try and get back on track, but was getting it, and maintaining a slight gain of 10-12 lbs. . . and then I had to put my Dog down on Nov. 1, 2017 and spiraled out of control. I knew I had gained, and suddenly, clothes I had worn at Cedar Point in June 2017 no longer fit. which added to the depression over losing the dog, which made me want to eat. but when New Year's rolled around, I said to myself: "I'm going on Roller Coasters in 2018, and I don't even want to stop to look at the Test Seat, I need to get back on track" so made it my N.Y. Resolution, and got on the scale on Jan 1, to weigh in and came in at 202 lbs. A gain of 27lbs from my lowest but that was the kick in the butt I needed, and except for a couple of slip days, I've managed to stick to it, and am losing 2~3 lbs a week. as of yesterday was 192.4lbs (so down ~10 lbs). my ultimate goal is to be 180, or so, by the time most places open for the season. so figured others might be in a similar situation where working on weight management, and might want a place to talk about what you're doing, what your goal is, post progress. . or just talk about it. hence. . .starting this thread. hope others want to participate, but I'm going to try to stay accountable, and update here every Sat. after I "weigh in". best, bert

Congrats! and hope you find the organization as fulfilling and as exciting as you wish it to be!

Well I guess that got missed. Also maybe I'm in the minority that thinks to go fried chicken is the absolute worst to go/delivery food? Hot crispy chicken + plastic/cardboard box + time = steamy and wet and gross and no longer crispy. No worries, I'll just stick to Yelp and TA. I think we were focusing on the "price" part. . . as the chicken to go is really much cheaper (you can get a meal for as low as $10), and the hotel is right next to the place, so wouldn't have time to get "mushy" but I get ya. . if not a fan of on-bone chicken, not a fan

Rock & Brews has decent food and nice atmosphere, prices aren't bad either. it's owned by KISS too, right? they do have really good burgers, tho only ever been to the one in the Alamodome, so never been to a "proper" version

^^ hahaha can hear the "direction" in my head. . now look to your right! it's a PENGUIN. really. . it' s a terrifying Penguin-zilla stomping all over the Arctic!

^ they have it to go (when we were there lines for to go were huge). I'd assume the Hotel has some sort of deal where they can arrange a pickup so you don't have to wait in line? (no idea if they do, but if it were my hotel, it's what i'd do). the chicken was great, but the boysenberry pie/cobbler was divine!

I saw a response the park made to someone on Instagram that said, "No date [for re-open] has been announced yet." They've been spamming that response to every question on Facebook, Twitter, etc. The only thing they're confirming is that it's not being torn down since a lot of the GP are asking "So it's being closed forever?!" when they get the response of "No date to re-open yet." Any suggestions for good eats/drinks in walking distance from the park? I've looked at Yelp and seen a couple decent places for curry, tacos, and sushi - any favorites from locals? I'm willing to uber/train/bus a little bit but honestly I'll have been up since 3-4am so little effort goes a long way when I'm walking out of the park at 8pm. I'm staying at the KBF hotel. Thanks! I'd just eat every meal at Mrs. Knott's. . yeah thought it was that good. but I'm sure you'll get some good suggestions.

Europe in the Air is becoming the "first VR simulator" this year ("Battle for Erie"). It's themed to Irish mythology. We'll see how that goes. not sure why I typed BGT. . . of course it's also in BGW. . .brainfart, but my interest in the VR simulator isn't that high. we'll see how it is before judging too harshly tho. (it still SUCKS they are closing DarKastle tho )

Gemini at CP might surprise you.. I liked it a LOT (way more than I was expecting, and we re-rode it multiple times). It makes my top 20 (at 20, but it's there)

We have an answer, but you're not going to like it. The park is closing it and replacing it with essentially nothing. You can help them name their new event space though. Gartensburg Castle, NewKastle or Oktoberfest Palaste? Comment with your choice from these 3 (only 1 vote per person)... poll ends Jan. 26 at noon. I'm not joking. [fbvideonew] [/fbvideonew] HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE news. . the ride, the theme, the castle setting. . . one of the best things in the park (to me, since I really like the overall mix of rides/attractions in a park). was it the most exciting ride in the park? nope, but the setting, and as someone who HASN'T ridden the similar rides at Universal, it was super unique and we rode it multiple times on our one prior visit to BGW a few years ago. such a shame this is happening Europe in the Air ? feh. . take that turd away. . . DarKastle? THIS was a shining gem, and now will just be a hole in the crown at BGW

plenty of time tho, you're only 15. don't get discouraged!

you should do it I'm not stupid tho, we waited for our Anniversary, and got married on that date (it was a Sat. too, so it was meant to be). but only have to remember one date

thank you! Stargazers are a type of Lily. . .the one on the right, white/purple kinda like a starfish is a Stargazer. there are two more on this side, but not open yet (so still in their "pods" in this pic. . the things that look like "Audrey II"), and 2 on the backside of the vase.

^^ LOL can't wait to get back to Cedar Point. . so glad it's gonna happen in 2018! (tho not for Coastermania!)

Your MOM took that pic too. . she perfectly framed crotch with the hand hold. . LOL

Today is my 14th Anniversary (2nd Married), and my Hubby just surprised me with this fabulous bouquet (he knows I love Stargazers). I posted lyrics on my FB this morning to him: “I will give you diamonds by the shower Love your body even when it's old Do it just as only I can do it And never ever doing what I'm told” - Frankie Goes to Hollywood Happy Anniversary to my everything. Wow. . 14 years, and we still argue like we did on the 1st date -- just like an old married couple. love you, Nick. me.

I have never been before and if I feel like I need another day I can make that decision on the fly and push Carowinds back a day. I go to amusement parks for the coasters and thrill rides though. I don't know what kinds of animals are at Busch, but I've been to cedar point a million times and never once stopped to see any of the animals they have. And shows really aren't my thing. But thanks for the advice. If I feel like I need another day I can easily fit it in. CP animals are more like "Petting Zoo".. the BGW animals (while concentrated mainly behind the Ireland area but also scattered thruout the park in places) are not, tho you CAN pet some of the smaller animals, as well as take pictures with the Clydesdales. as to what kind of animals: Clydesdales, Yaks, Eagles, Wolves, as well as the cats/dogs they have in one of the Animal shows. the Grey Wolf show is astounding. .we absolutely loved it, and I highly recommend. these horses are HUGE

Do it! And early/mid spring is a really good time to go. now that we no longer have the dog (sniff ).. . . I'm pretty sure that we could get a cheap direct flight from Austin airport to Mexico City. my Spouse won't go out of North America, but he's been to Cancun and the Caribbean, so MC shouldn't be a hard sell.. .especially since we have 2018 Season Passes now. (and I've been several times, but not since ~1985) hmmm. . . . . ok, this is on my Radar for a quick weekend trip now. great report, even if 3 years after, still wonderful to see!

that's nuts. as noted, the pad is there. . so wonder what they might put in that spot?

well yeah. . LOL. . although that end of the strip really is a high concentration of the MGM properties anyways

have you been to BGW before? if not, then absolutely do 2 days there (you can likely do everything you want at KD in one day, especially if you do FastPass). but Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a HUGE park, and pretty spread out.. you'll want more than 1 day to actually experience this beautiful park, and take in the Animals/shows, and Celtic Fyre show. it wins best landscaped park so many times for a reason (of course, if you've been before, not a big deal. but if first time? treat yourself and do 2 days) just my 2cents.