jynx242

Chuck - thanks for the pictures! Of course, after enjoying them here at the office I get depressed that I am at the office instead of back on the trip. Thanks also for posting the picture of me acting a fool on the Raven. It jumped up in my list after this trip - had a blast on it. Voyage is still my baby, even if it is currently a naughty baby that beats me up .

^ -smak- There you go. I kid...I kid... I'm still glad that my old stomping grounds and home park is getting a new coaster, and I'm also glad that it is a new and unique to the park ride type. I still have a HUGE soft spot in my heart for SFoG and am quite happy with it's recent additions and upgrades. David

^ I think some of our brain cells either melted or fried Although roughly the temperature of the sun, that was still a great day! We got to meet some local Club TPR people and that was nice. The Backstage tour was great and the staff was really nice. Excalibur was amazing and the ride-op was a lot of fun. This is notable because of the heat!

The "what did he do to her" caption and picture still have me laughing at my desk. This is good because the job is sucking big-time today so a hearty Thank You! David

I think I still have scars behind my ears from earring posts because of Z-force. Not that it's replacement is any kinder on the ears . I still go to SFoG every year on Easter Sunday to get my "fix." David

^ Hmmmm - I think I like it? What do you guys think?

Having never ridden the Voyage, I was just wondering- would you say that it was noticeably 'smoother' or 'less aggressive' during its first couple of operating seasons and it has simply been difficult to maintain causing it to tear itself apart much like Hades? Or have you just never really been a big fan of the ride? It was always very agressive, but it was a heck of a lot smoother earlier in its operations. My personal opinion is that the PTC's, while a very good product, really aren't designed to go that fast through the wicked transitions on The Voyage. I've heard that they have to do substantial re-tracking every year. I personally LOVE the Voyage (even when it was beating the poo poo out of me.) If I'm not mistaken, Robb and Elissa have never really been big fans of it and much prefer the Raven at Holiday World. David

Tyler - you've given me a lift at the office today! This was hilarious. Add me to the list of people whose voice in their head has gained a lisp! D.

One thing I've done is to get some of my photos of rides blown up and framed. I currently planning on having a picture I took of SFoG's Great American Scream Machine printed out in black and white and having it framed (it might be rough, but it sure is pretty.) Just throwing that out ther for ya'. David

^ Last year we did The Feast which was a dinner before the event while the park was emptied. This had us already in the park and near the Mazes before the GP were let in. We managed to get in every house before the lines got too long and were able to ride some of the coasters as well. We didn't have a tour - but this worked out well. David

^Laura - let me know if you get down to this part of the country and we'll go ride it together! They also have an AWESOME darkride (Monster Plantation...I mean Mansion.) D.

Started college as a Chemical Engineering major at The University of Alabama. After several schools and major changes...ended up as Journalism / Public Relations at Georgia State University. Then went into the Hospitality industry for about 12 years before going to work in Investment Banking. Studied harder to pass the licensing exams in this field than I did for anything in college and don't use my field of study at all. D.

Take a look at Mindbender at SFoG. Simple lap bars on a Schwartzkopf looper. Two regular loops and an inverted helix. There is also airtime. It doesn't have OTSR's and never has. I think OTSR's on older coasters kind of came about on a park-by-park (or state-by-state) basis, and became the standard for newer loopers because of litigations.

God it was hot that day. One wierd thing though, being with my coaster dork friends makes me kind of overlook the heat and keep on truckin'. Luckily we had Q-bots, so we could ride and then cool off and then ride again. The park was awesome and we had ALOT of nice perks there (I love TPR Trips as well.) I think Mr. Freeze was my favorite at that park. I rode Evel Kenievel a few times, then spent the rest of morning ERT on Mr. Freeze, until we broke it . Then, we got an extended viewing opportunity of the launch track until they could push the train back to it's starting position. Also - those garden hose sprayers around the midways were a blessing. It felt like I was showering for a crowd and my inner exhibitionist loved that. David

All must bow to the awesomeness that is Mindbender!!

Agreed! I'm glad it's a Eurofighter over a Big Spin. Not that I dislike big-spin's - but Eurofighters are more fun to me. I'm hoping it is more akin to Sponge Bob's Rock Bottom Plunge @ Mall of America over Mystery Mine (which it must be, since Theming is a huge part of MM .) I really enjoyed that one. I also agree with the speculation about the location. I remember riding Mindbender last spring (when we ran into you in line for Goliath) and seeing the HUGE hole where the theater next to Shake Rattle and Roll used to be. All that was left was a facade. Since Eurofighters have a relatively small footprint - it would easily fit in that area. David David

Couldn't agree more about this! I LOVE LOVE LOVED this movie as a kid and went into the re-make with some apprehension. It was visually beautiful (except for a black damned pegasus) but that was it. I was pretty disappointed with the changes to the story, because the story was damned good to begin with. Oh well - yet another instance of "don't mess with the classics!"

Wait, did Robb just admit he's actually Superman? I always wondered how he was able to do all these trip and not get tired. Does that make Elissa Wonder Woman? I prefer to think of her as my "catwoman", complete with the whip! --Robb "I'm more fond of pussies." alvey Are we seeing a preview of this year's Halloween Costume? The bumblebee was cute but this is FIERCE!! And Robb - I mean Elissa's Halloween costume, not yours

I have to agree with two earlier posters: Thunderation at Silver Dollar City. A good half of the ride is before the pre-lift and it is INSANE! Loved it. Hydra - creeping through a barrel roll is definitely a unique experience. Phoenix - AWESOME tunnel. Hades - rough but psychotic and fun - prepares you for the tunnel, which is like being caught in a subway during the apocalypse!

This is great. Really makes me miss my original version!!

Fixed that for you buddy! David

The further along this gets, the more excited I get. Our household has pretty much decided a quick trip to the DFW area is in order next spring / summer. I rode this when it was a new Woodie, and I'd love to ride it when it is a new Steelie! David

^ That twould be the one I can't recall who that was...too many trips, they all blur together What a fun day that was!! Is it July yet? I'm totally ready for my next TPR adventure. Strike the July comment - when is West Coast Bash? I'm ready for that!

^ I found Talon and Afterburn to be quite comparable. I REALLY enjoyed both of them. I place them over Raptor, even though Raptor is bigger and longer. I just really like the layout.

Thanks for the update! I was going to SFoG during those years and fondly remember Buford the Buzzard making fun of random people in the crowd. I worked there in 86 and 87 and remember Splashwater Falls being the new attraction. I still have the employee yearbook that they used to put out every year. Good times, good times..... Mindbender is defintely in my to 10 to this day! Awesome Schwartzkopf goodness!! David