bert425

you should point out that's the ONLY tunnel on the island of Maui. Did you get any pics of the feral cats and Chickens that hang out in the IAO Needle park?. . they were everywhere when we went, and the Park Rangers were feeding them. Seriously, they put out a plate of food and dozens of cats came slinking out of the bushes. I hope you got to go to Tropical Plantations, the Maui Oceanography Institute, or did the Road to Hana. . looking forward to seeing pics of those if you did. It will bring back lots of good memories

thanks. Got it a few years ago at Kohl's (believe it or not). every time I wear it, I ALWAYS get stopped and get asked about it

and here's me in Vancouver from May (with a better pic of the Vader/Stormtrooper on the Rollercoaster shirt)

Here's me and Roy (from SyFy's "FaceOff") from last Saturday at Dragon*con in Atlanta:

NOOOOOOOO Karen Black, R.I.P. http://news-briefs.ew.com/2013/08/08/karen-black-obituary/

Sean Sasser (a "celebrity" once removed -- he was the partner of "Real World: San Francisco" star/activist Pedro Zamora, and was on the show with him), has passed. http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/08/showbiz/sean-sasser-death/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 while it is extremely sad that he has passed so quickly (diagnosed with the mesothelioma that killed him just over a month ago), the thing that's even more sad are the hateful, horrible comments in the feedback section of the CNN story. it's a shame this Country includes people like these commentators.

I think they never should have made it to Vegas, and that the "talent" this year is just absolutely awful. way too many kids (majority of them with some talent, but not nearly talented enough to headline a show), and way too many mediocre dance teams. I gave up on it last week, after the horrendous episode on Tuesday. . don't even know who made it thru, since I stopped caring about it.

from our Alaskan Cruise in early June: my partner and I at Hubbard Glacier in Alaska: and coming into Icy Straight Point: and me "enjoying" our private verandah while coming into Juneau (lobster was served to us shortly after this pic was taken).

really? someone thought it was a good idea to name a WATER park with "Wizz" in the title? LOL. . reminds me of the classic Marvel super-hero, the Whizzer, in his bright yellow costume

I love reading this thread and seeing the pictures. . . I'm always exhausted just looking thru them, I can't imagine how tired you must be being on the trips (just reading about the hotel swaps makes my feet hurt) so thanks for posting such great pics. serious question tho. . . do you actually get to enjoy the trips? It seems to me that you take so many pics, that you don't have much time to view the sights and take them in yourself (rather than thru the camera lens). I'd have to assume that there are a lot of times when you get to, but just curious about it, as you take so many pics. heck, when I'm hungry, I wouldn't dream of taking a pic of the food -- I dive right in! . . . LOL. . we just took an Alaskan cruise, and tho we have tons of pics of us at stops, not one of the food in the dining room. . I didn't even think of that! Next Time I'll remember to take the camera with us to dinner! but really, thanks for posting your pics. . . .you are a very good photographer!

Kidd Kraddick (of the syndicated morning radio show out of Dallas) has died today. at a way, way too young 53, after attending his own sponsored charity golf event in New Orleans. most of the news reports aren't mentioning cause of death, but local reports are saying it was an aneurysm. http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/28/showbiz/kidd-kraddick-death/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

I guess they are expecting IRat to be down for the rest of the Season. on the way home from work, heard a new Fiesta, Texas commercial on the radio. they said, "Summer's not over yet! Come and enjoy our FREE waterpark, included with your ticket. And be sure to ride the Skyscreamer!" yep. . no mention of Iron Rattler, despite that being the ride they had been advertising. a shame, to be sure. . .

HOLY Crap. . Elvira is ageless. I met her in Atlanta (at Dragon*con) over 15 years ago, and she looks EXACTLY the same. simply gorgeous.

Too bad you skipped Tiki Room. . the one in Disneyland still runs the original show! (and of course, the Dole Whip is outside in the queue)

I'm kinda stunned that Volcano ranked higher than Furious Baco. I've not ridden either, but i've only heard RAVES about Furious Baco, while every time I see mention of Volcano, it's always along the lines of "the initial launch is great, but then you just go around in circles around the mountain" oh well. . still another good episode, and it really, really makes me want to go to Fuji-Q Highland at some point in my life!

The Aquatopia thing you keep referencing is really intriguing me. Just what in the hell is their purpose. Is it a ride that follows a track and if so what all do you actually see/experience while on it? I am thinking of the boats in the little lagoon at Dutch Wonderland.....Dragon's Lair. Here's the TPR video of Aquatopia. It's a trackless ride I think, like Pooh's Hunny Hunt, just as a water ride. Well now, that was just.....Weird? yeah.. I don't quite understand the point of this? does it look very different at night or something? EDIT: ok, I found the night-time version Robb posted: um. . yeah. .not a whole lot better. . LOL and Robb actually introduces it as a "pointless" ride, so ok, I guess I get it. . LOL

in my experience, Goliath never has much of a line. despite the MANY signs pointing you to the entrance of the queue, many folks just seem to miss it, and go towards Poltergeist (thinking the queue is from over that way, instead of being right off the park entrance). In terms of "shows" at FT, there are really only two "shows". . the others are performances/live music type things. But I'd definitely check out whatever show is playing in Zaragosa theater (in entrance plaza next to bronze statue of Senoritas). It's an air-conditioned theater too, so it fills up fast -- but it's a big theater. I'd also check out what's playing in Rockville High, but I've not seen the newer show. "Rocking at Rockville" is a classic and is quite fun tho.

Janelle Monae -- "Cold War"

What's really amusing to me, is that when we were in Vegas back in March, I got "stalked" by a Circus Circus employee who latched onto me because he noticed how much I was playing the KISS slots (he's a *huge* KISS fan), and since he works at the Customer Relations/Redemptions desk at the front of the casino, every time we had to cash out points I got stuck talking to him. harmless enough, but a little odd. anyways, our last night there, he begged me to friend him on Facebook, and although I warned him I hardly ever use Facebook (I have really, only like 18 friends on there - LOL), I figured what the heck, always good to have another contact in Vegas. Particularly since he's employed by Circus Circus. anyways, I've heard from him twice since we left Vegas. . and the 2nd time was the other night. He wanted to know if I was coming back to Vegas anytime soon (and if I had seen the design for the new KISS stage ). I told him likely not until next year, but that meant the "El Loco" would be up and running, so I was looking forward to swinging by the Adventuredome to ride it. he had NO idea what I was talking about. Even when I clarified: the new roller-coaster that's coming in to replace Rim-Runner? So your report shows they are actually advertising it! . . . and this guy, who works at CUSTOMER RELATIONS desk -- at the *front* of the main entrance of the casino -- had no idea what I was talking about. that's just too damn funny.

you can't beat Schliterbahn, that's true. . but if you go the additional 30 minutes to Fiesta Texas, you not only get Irat, Superman, and Poltergeist. . . you get a free (decent) waterpark too

"Diamonds" by the Boxer Rebellion. *absolutely* brilliant. Smiths lyrics, over a Verve type track. LOVE it.

Should we start referring to her as: Elis(I)sa ?

KA is an amazing show, but it's really all about the staging. . as soon as I heard there was an accident, I thought it would likely to have been in KA (because that huge, moving, stage could easily hurt someone). Unfortunately, my instincts were correct, although it seems to have nothing to do with the actual stage (although it was not under her at the time). my Condolences, thoughts, and Prayers are with her family at this time.

THANK YOU you have no idea what wonderful memories you just brought back for me. I grew up less than 2 miles from Astroworld, and had a Season Pass from the time I was 7, until ~1995 (so about 21 years. . heck yeah, I even kept getting a pass even after I moved up to Austin, so I could go when I came into town to visit my parents). anyways, I used to LOVE the Ultra Twister at Astroworld, and since that closed, I've never even seen video of the same ride. Even the one TPR has on YouTube is the "continuous" one. . .not this one here, that has that wonderful, ball-crushing, *CLUNK* as it drops backwards to do the lower level back into the station. funny, the Astroworld Ultra-Twister always had a huge line (and in those days, no Flash-Passes yet). . but I don't recall ever waiting more than 15-20 minutes for it. I dunno if that's great park management (I doubt it), or just good teamwork on quick loading (more likely). . but yeah. .thanks for the awesome memories here, Robb! (One day, I'll get to come on a TPR trip)

Shockwave will never go anywhere. it's a huge WOW factor pop from the Freeway when you pass right in front of the park -- yes, more than anything else in the park (except possibly Mr. Freeze). heck, just take a look: