bert425

we make a trip to Circus Circus every time we visit Vegas -- we go for the Steakhouse (it's our 2nd favorite place to eat in Vegas). and while there, yes, we swing by Adventure Dome to ride a circuit or two on Canyon Blaster. (haven't been back to Vegas since El Loco opened tho. . we were there just before it opened. Seems to be time to go back).

only ONE person got the "money" shot. .but at least it was with our camera!

they had MASSIVE gang problems. I grew up going every year with Season Passes (even before it was Six Flags' Astroworld -- back in the "Marvel McFey and Friends" days) we were there literally EVERY DAY they were open, dropped off in the morning, and picked up at night. in the late 90's, myself and everyone I knew from back then simply stopped going (and I moved up to Austin in 85, and still maintained a Season Pass, since Austin was a short drive to Astroworld, SFoT & Fiesta Texas). . . why did everyone of my friends, as well as I, stop going? It didn't feel "safe" to go there anymore. your mileage may vary, but yeah, it turned into a very scary place to go, just to hang out. And tho they certainly started to address the gang issues, it never really go over that reputation. So yeah, it sucks that it got sold and shut down (due to a shady development thing that never happened anyways (the area is STILL just an empty field). . and it may have had great attendance still. . . but the regulars (who spent money IN the park), stopped going. that's my take on it as a Native Houstonian, who grew up less than a 2 miles from the park (fond memories of climbing up on the roof of my house at night to watch the Astroworld fireworks when i wa younger), and practically lived there every summer growing up.

that was right at the end, after they stopped caring (a quick google shows this is from a photo report on Flicker from 9/17/05). so I guess the pink flag fell off on the right and just didn't bother fixing the sign, since the park was about to shutter anyways.

Bamboo Shoot

SO glad you got to ride Serpent. . it was one of the best kiddie coasters I ever was on! someone finally posted a video a few years back so it can be experienced : [youtu_be] [/youtu_be]

TY when Nick tried to stomp on his glass (mine shattered just fine), the cup flew out and bounced across the stage -- TWICE! LOL. .the Rabbi tried to play it off as "good luck", but it was some wonderful levity

so this happened today

Thats true, i'm scared that i will be to tired to enjoy anything at a point. Some things, like the 2nd day Hersheypark, or Kennywood are on a 'maybe' list so if needed i can put in a few rest days. We will see how it goes, only a few months to go!!! Kennywood is absolutely worth it - just for the classic rides they have in the "Old Kennywood" section. what a line up of classics! (and the Phantom's Revenge, Jackrabbit, Racer, and Thunderbolt are well worth it as well - try to stay until night time, as the lighting packages (in particular on Racer) are gorgeous!)

as others have said, Busch Gardens Williamsburg needs at least 2 days (especially if you want to do shows -- we did and for the most part they are above average to VERY good (Celtic Fyre)). Colonial Willamsburg is right there too, (literally. . less than 5 minute drive) and if you're into history, that is a fun afternoon, with period food, and several museums (tho the whole site is a "living" museum, with folks staffing stores in costume and staying in character).

heh. "quick walk" just wait. . Vegas "blocks" are HUGE. but hope you have a wonderful visit regardless!

Flamingo is definitely not a top their hotel anymore. .it's a bit rundown depending on which wing you are (DO NOT pay up-charge for a strip view "go" room. . even on the higher floors, if you are facing the strip, the pounding music from the club on the top of Caesar's will keep you up most of the night. but the Location, mid-strip, can NOT be beat, and that's why we almost always stay there. Personally?. . we hated Zumanity. By far the best CDS show in Vegas is "Love" (the Beatles one at the Mirage), but "O" at Bellagio (ie: the water one), "Mystere" at TI (ie: the FIRST one in Vegas), or "Ka" (ie: the one w/ the huge moving stage) at MGM grand, are all great and worth ticket prices.

NONE of them are going to offer good strip views. the Signature towers are behind the MGM grand, the strip mall, and looking down the strip, the Planet Hollywood. (the Signature towers are one block off the strip -- your views are going to be blocked by the strip hotels) in this pic, the Signature towers are on the right. . the strip is directly in front of them (the Green is the MGM grand, and New York New York and Mandalay bay are on the other side of the strip street) I would choose Flamingo. . or Mirage. but from your choices?. .go with MGM Grand proper. .it's right on the strip.

apparently, the album was complete in early 2015, and he worked on the videos and album release knowing he was terminal. he planned them as a "goodbye gift" to his fans, hence the release 2 days prior to his death. (that's per the Bowie management) Hadn't heard this. Warren Zevon released an album called "My Ride's Here," which rather eerily preceded his being diagnosed with cancer (the title song has to do with dying). But he lived long enough to record "The Wind," as well. here's the link (and info was provided to the Telegraph by Bowie's estate) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/12092542/Bowies-last-album-was-parting-gift-for-fans-in-carefully-planned-finale.html?fb_ref=Default

apparently, the album was complete in early 2015, and he worked on the videos and album release knowing he was terminal. he planned them as a "goodbye gift" to his fans, hence the release 2 days prior to his death. (that's per the Bowie management)

Woodstock Express at Kings Dominion. it was the last thing we hit on the way out of the park, and heading towards DC for a few days.

Angus Scrimm (the Tall Man, from "Phantasm" films) has died at 89.

We've lived in sin for 9 years (and were together for 3 years before that ). it was time. and we always said, "once it's legal in Texas". . so i wanted to wait for our Anniversary (only one date to remember). .and our date is easy to remember anyways: 1/23/4

Thanks, and CONGRATS to you too.

don't miss Woodstock Express in Camp Snoopy. it's a Junior woodie with some fun pops of air in the back seat. (and it's by far, the smoothest woodie in the park)

don't think I've mentioned it here. . . but we're getting married in just about 2 weeks. On our 12th Anniversary even. (and tho we tried to keep it small (10-12 people), it's tripled in size, and we're over 30 (we had to cap it, because the Restaurant after wanted to move us into the private room -- which is $2500 to rent out, WITHOUT the food cost). So yeah, had to cap it, but it's still bigger than we had intended - but how do you say "no" when friends from as far away from Vancouver, BC want to fly to Texas for ONE DAY to be there for your wedding?

she just got married to her girlfriend, so there's that

and from that same '83 show above. . here's a CLASSIC performance of "Rock Lobster"

The actual show was fun; I just got a little too into everyone else's snark. I then felt like I had to reevaluate my entire taste in live music since I already suspected I might be a little too easily impressed, but it's all good. they were incredible back in the late 70's thru the late 80's. then got super commercial, split off to do their own stuff, and just never recorded anything as huge as their biggest albums (that have "Roam" "ChannelZ" and "Love Shack" on them. I'd highly recommend the earlier, experimental albums that spawned "hits" in the clubs and among college students (such as "Rock Lobster", "Song for a Future Generation" and "Dance this Mess Around" -- songs I'm positive were in your show, since they always play them live). [youtu_be]https://youtu.be/9fnXpuCJldI[/youtu_be] Fred Schneider (the male lead) has always had that "talky" style, and it's really take it or leave it.. tho his solo "hit" "Monster" is still a fun song and is VERY indicative of early B52's sound [youtu_be] [/youtu_be] (oh, and Kate Pierson (the non-blonde female singer) has a fantastic voice, really, and has done songs (that were hits) with REM ("Shiney Happy People") and Iggy Pop ("Candy")

as to rides, don't miss the Whip (even tho it runs a short cycle), and Lightning Racer -- a super smooth racing woodie next to each other way back past the waterpark. I would say also do not miss StormRunner (it's awesome), tho you can skip the flashback style coaster next to it - still hurts, even with the better cars. Great Bear, Log Flume, SDL, Skyrush, and Comet are all right next to each other in the "Hollow" section, and Skyrush (which I hated, but others seem to like) had a long line early in the day, but was walk on in the afternoon.