Raven Maven

Thanks, TheStig ... we really do try to be smart. (No matter how much it hurts...) Paula

Yes, we've ordered some extra PTC cars ... since the Timberliners are still being tested (resuming here next month), we wanted to be sure to have all our bases covered for opening in the spring. Thanks, Paula

That high-pitched whining? Oh, sorry -- that was me. It was *really* cold that day! Paula

Someone asked us that on Facebook and I sent him to TGG's page ... where they replied it was a random thing. Sorry, I'm sort of embarrassed to say I didn't even notice, or I would have asked Mike Graham. Paula

You guys crack me up. And to think my biggest concern yesterday was that I edit all the "pieces" together in the correct order! With three cameras and multiple runs of the train, it got a little confusing. But I knew my beloved enthusiasts would gently point out to me what a mess I'd made if I got the drops out of order in the video. Right? Paula

Here's the link to watch the Aussies' visit to Holiday World: http://bit.ly/dnox2A Thanks, Paula

For your viewing enjoyment...

Okay, that was fun (in a 7th-grade kind of way) using the acronym for "World's Toughest Fixes." Their hour-long episode on October 21 is called "Ultimate Water Ride" and includes construction of Wildebeest and repair of a Voyage pothole. Two snippets are available on NatGeo's website. The Voyage one is particularly cool, imo: http://on.natgeo.com/9vNpDq Thanks, Paula

Oh, you TPRers. Always with the jokes...

Actually, it was the first Santa statue built here in town, Adam, back in 1935. And not sure where "fluffy bunnies" came from ... we're adding 500+ lockers. Thanks, Paula

The producer who put that segment together for the CBS Early Show says she's received all sorts of ... um ... feedback from enthusiasts. I told her I wasn't surprised. Paula

Wanted to add a bit of info that you might find helpful ... according to GM Mike: The track is running rougher than normal due to opening the gauge for the Timberliners. Thanks, Paula

Not begrudging at all, actually. Dan and Will have been business partners for years and spoke daily. Dan grew up here and loves the park and his family. He never would have chosen this set of circumstances, but he's chosen good-heartedly to step in where he is needed. He's a good guy. Thanks, Paula

Aw, reading these posts did my heart good. Thanks. Yes, we're sick not to have the Timberliners roaring through the woods with riders by now. The Gravity Group guys are, too. I hesitate to give odds, but yesterday I asked Will what he thought about our chances of having the TLs going for HWN. He thinks there's a 40% chance we *will* have them. I don't tell you this to discourage anyone -- just want to let you know where things stand. We're not giving up! I'll continue to post updates as we get more information. Thanks again, Paula

Sorry, nothing quite that interesting ... during late-night testing, the train was running with the "water dummies" in play plus a bag of corn. Unfortunately, the g forces got the better of how the bag of corn was manually tied on and it broke loose, damaging the fiberglass, which will be replaced very soon. I prefer the sabotage theory: We borrowed the water dummies from another park. I think one of the dummies loosened the corn-bag strap and kicked the new car! Thanks, Paula

Okay. I have to say it: This auction gives a whole new meaning to "Ho! Ho! Ho!" Paula

I haven't laughed so much in a long, long time... As the HoliAuction of 15 of our staff members came to an end today, I took a quick look to see who in tarnation would spend $751 to spend two hours with me. (Oh, yeah, there were 8 park tickets and $20 in Holibucks thrown in, too. But still!) It was none other than ... Robb Alvey! My blood ran cold. What was this scoundrel up to?! I called Will to tell him and together we howled with laughter. "I told Robb half a dozen times we only do ERT in May in June ... but he's figured out a way to *buy* it in August!" Will calmed down enough to ask, "Um...who bought me?" (For a mere $438.) I clicked through the back end to check. "Ha! Robb's wife bought you!" More roars of laughter. We truly were tickled. And delighted that Robb & Elissa would chip in to help raise money for flood victims in Nashville. One by one the other park directors called, asking who would "own" them for two hours one day this season. It is a bit unnerving, I must admit. Turns our TPR bought nine of us. NINE! Crazy kids! Ah, but there's a method to their madness. The Club TPR bunch coming to visit us on August 11 will reap the rewards of Robb and Elissa's generosity. Robb plans to (somehow) divide up the group among the nine of us and send us off on two-hour adventures. What a great idea! Thought you'd enjoy the behind-the-scenes story about this. What a wild ride! Paula

Message from Will Koch: "May the 4th be with you!"

I'll see what I can find out regarding how tall is too tall to ride ... In answer to the question about if Wildebeest is in the "normal" park ... I guess it's in the "abnormal" park. It's in Splashin' Safari ... located behind the Bahari wave pool. Thanks, Paula

That's correct; sold two and kept one (for now). Paula

Robb ... if loving Wildebeest is wrong, you don't wanna be right... Paula

Wildebeest is in Splashin' Safari water park, but we don't *require* swimwear. If you'd like to ride in your street clothes, that's fine. Thanks, Paula

They were already testing boats when I showed up this afternoon. "What was that thump?" I asked Will. He replied with a big grin, "Air time!" Paula

...oh, and the first Timberliner train arrives a week from today. Thanks, Paula

To preface the above video: It takes a lot of testing to open a new water coaster. Here's Ray, an engineer from ProSlide Technology, and Joe (off camera, saying "3-2-1" a lot and then going back to his laptop to reprogram slightly and try again) working to test the pulse feature for the linear induction motors that power Wildebeest's boats "magically" uphill. Wildebeest, the world's longest water coaster, opens May 14. Anyone else diggin' the Canadian accent? :0) Thanks, Paula