bert425

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.

early entry too, but there's also actually an extra hour the day before your park tickets.. .so at the end of the day, when the crowds die down anyways. On site guests get to go into the park 3 hours before closing, instead of the 2 hour before closing that the GP gets with next day tickets. we made great use of it, and didn't even take the full 3 hours to ride everything we wanted to do (things we knew would have longer lines the next day). we went from the Lodge to the park via shuttle around 3pm, and spent a few hours in Chocolate World (outside the gates) doing activities there -- making our own candy bar, trolley tour around downtown Hershey, the chocolate ride, etc. .and then just went to main gate at 6pm to get in for our early admission the night before (park closed at 9pm that day I believe) after getting so much in the night before, we didn't even bother with getting up early the next day, and just went after eating breakfast

Hershey Lodge is HUGE. . . if it was completely booked? I'd be concerned about crowds. I misunderstood. I guess my sister was looking for a suite and they were all booked out of those. It looks like they have regular rooms available. the regular rooms are a good size ..she should look into those. our room only had a King bed, but we could have easily fit two rollaways in the room if we had needed to. (and the extra hour benefit of staying on property -- not to mention the free shuttle (no parking fee, and they drop near the front gate!) made it very much worth it to stay. We were there on a fairly quiet week (think we and one other couple were the only ones staying in our wing -- we had asked for "away from kids if possible" -- and the indoor pool was still PACKED.. so they definitely need that pool improvement up there!

Hershey Lodge is HUGE. . . if it was completely booked? I'd be concerned about crowds.

Thanks folks! making notations on all suggestions. . . leaning towards flight into Buffalo, and then booking a shuttle to take us to the Canadian side (found a decent FallsView room at Marriott right on the falls for a very reasonable price). so investigating if this plan (fly USA, shuttle to Canada) would work we'd be looking at likely Mon-Wed (Mon/Tues night stay) in Niagra Falls, then late afternoon flight on Wed into LaGuardia, which would give us Wed Evening thru Sun stay (5 nights) in Manhattan, with a flight back on Monday afternoon. that means we'd likely end up hitting Coney Island on a Summer weekend (which would be just fine, as the only things we'd really ride would be Cyclone, and maybe a few flats), and I have a feeling it would be more "fun" with the crowds. But the Great Adventure trip will have to be likely on a Friday.. . oh well, still not a weekend!

Instead of eating anyplace packed in Times Square walk a block or two west (8th Avenue and 9th Avenue) for less crowds and a huge variety of food options (especially on 8th Avenue) Try this place for awesome burgers and grilled chicken http://www.islandburgersandshakes.com/ that looks delicious and amazing!