Coaster Palooza

This is the only link I could find for the story. http://www.ktvu.com/news/16167791/detail.html

Here is another non-coaster update. We do Pat's Run every year, third year. The run is for Pat Tillman. We actually walk it. The website for the run is here: www.patsrun.com They have one in San Jose at Leland High School and one in Tempe Arizona at ASU Sun Devil Stadium. I will let the pictures show the action. Their backyard is huge!!! That's all for now. Hopefully I will hit an amusement park soon... Back at Tim & Tori's for some cool refreshments. Parting shot of the stadium. Her daughter, my neice, Tori actually ran the race. Yay!!! Shana made it too. My final time. A friend of ours is just below the clock too. This is Tim & Tori... Go Gyendolynne!!!! Partial lap around the track and it will end at the 42 yard line. The stadium is coming up. Only .2 more miles... Home stretch... Just over a mile to go... Another quote YAY!!! Mile Marker 2. Holy crap am I slow this year. and uphill... Goin' uphill... Comin' around the bend... Hi Gyendolynne!!!! There are many quotes and pictures of Pat throughout the race. My brother's fraternity sponsored Mile Marker 1. Here is another person I only see once a year. Her dad coached Little League back in the day. Woohooo!!! Now we're moving. Are we there yet? This is my sister-in-law, Shana. They're walking too! This race is kind of a reunion of sorts for me. I see a lot of people that I don't normally see. It took us 5 minutes just to get through the start. The race has begun! Gyendolynne does her best "Where's Waldo" impersonation. This race had a lot of people this year. This is where we will begin. Where the race begins. That is Alex Garwood pointing at me. He used to run the Pat Tillman foundation. He is Pat's brother-in-law and best friend. They have many sponsors at the race. Fireman, Policeman, Paramedics all volunteer their time. Here is the Sharks' Fire truck. We're in the backyard on our way to Leland High School. Tim and his son Cameron getting ready for the race. They have an incredibly huge house! My friend's , Tim & Tori throw a party before and after the race.

What's with the Michael Jordan tongue in that last pic Big Mike?

I'm with Green. I really wish Lake Winnie was open while we were out there. Maybe we can visit another time. Your TRs are so enjoyable!

^^I guess the comment is...Ask and yee shall receive???

^^I remember you telling us about a certain question after a Sharks game while we were in Georgia. I'm glad you didn't ask it at the tank. By the way, you two haven't changed a bit in 11 years! Thanks for the other comments in the thread. I am sorry to be the person to report that Firefall wasn't ready. I was very disappointed yesterday to find out it wasn't going to be operational because the part hasn't arrived yet.

I just received confirmation from Six Flags Discovery Kingdom that they will accept any 6-flags season pass for this event!

I received an email from CGA a week ago saying that Firefall would be running for the first time today (4/25). I decided to take my "lunch" break over there to ride it and see it run. Unfortunately it still isn't operational. They are waiting on a part and it won't be running today, or this weekend. Sorry for the bad news. I did take some pics though. Just not today. That is all for now...where to next? I'm actually looking forward to riding this. Good theming all around. The place is shaping up nicely. This is why I came here today though. Not a bad wait, 1 train. They were only running 1 train though. One of the new signs in the queue area. I didn't get to ride it last time I was here because they had a problem with it. Well here I am doing my best Big Mike impersonation. By the way, I think Big Mike will get this photo in October. Hi doubledecker carousel. There were maybe 2 bus loads of kids. It really wasn't crowded at all today. I was greeted with this as I pulled into CGA.

^^It was awesome being there. I have never been to a game 7 as a fan. I know Jim has his tickets up for sale for tonight and Sunday. He's going to Disneyland on Sunday. I don't know what he'll do if he doesn't sell the tickets. I'll let you know though.

Great job Paul! I really liked the video footage. I wish we could ride this right now.

I know this isn’t a theme park update, but I went to Game 7 of the Sharks v. Flames at the Shark Tank on Tuesday night. The place was rockin’!!! I should have a new update tomorrow after a new ride is ridden….WHERE??? I hope you enjoy these pics. Sorry for the blurryness of the picture. This place was rockin' though. Where to next? This Calgary fan told me I was Number 1!!!! They only shake hands when the season is over. This is the best part of hockey. Sharks Win! Sharks Win! Bring on Dallas... At least some Calgary fans stuck around until the end. The fans really got into the game. Buh-Bye!!! They had to be escorted out of the Tank. These Calgary fans got in a little trouble. Sharks up 5-2!!! Sharks up 4-2, with a review.... Sharks up 3-2 First intermission, she won the $1,000 Sharkie was having fun with some Calgary fans. I don't think they appreciated it though. This was the loudest I have ever heard it at the Tank. Sharks up 1-0 Some hockey action. This was the give-away tonight. Here come your Sharks You know where you are! Now we wait... Shark's head coming down. JJ is excited. WOOOHOOOOO!!!!! Time to get the crowd fired up! There were some Calgary fans there. We're here in our comfy seats. Warming up before the game. Enter into the see of teal. Hello... Welcome! You have made it. I told you it was a big game. Look at all the TV crews there. Coming up on the Shark Tank. JJ went with a Blue Moon as well. Hey, it's his house, he can have what he wants! Yes, that is a Buffalo shirt he is wearing. Jim had a Corona, and Mark (Jim's son-in-law) had a blue moon too. First stop was Jim's son's house for a pre-lubrication. I had a Blue Moon. Wooohooo! Game 7 ticket. This is my friend Jim, the one with the Sharks' tickets! He had the plate. First thing I had to do before the Sharks game was umpire a High School baseball game. Unfortunately I would have an ejection too. I can't believe how wrinkled my jacket is.

Well here is the latest: Let's Go SHARKS!!!! This is JJ, Jim's son. He had a Blue Moon too! Here are Jim and his son-in-law Mark. I had a Blue Moon at JJ's house before the game. Yep, went to Game 7 at the Shark Tank!!!

You are one of a kind Mike! This last report was hilarious.

I'm so glad this is catching on. I can hear Rich right now....

^It felt like it was in the 90s, but looking at what the weather people say (what do they know?) it was in the 80s. I know it was the hottest day of the year. If I could have, I would have turned on the AC at home.

^Yep, I posted that here: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=43041 People want to know if it is any season pass, or just SFDK's season pass. I haven't checked with them yet.

Continuing with Gyendolynne’s birthday weekend: We went to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk after Gilroy Gardens. The place was packed! I guess it would have to be, since it was the hottest day of the year. What were we thinking? We walked around a little bit and rode the Giant Dipper. We also rode the sky ride back to the where we entered, but that was it. Onto the pics! Good-bye Dipper, we'll see you soon. That's it for now. Where to next??? Dipper... Dipper... The Classic sign More Dipper... We didn't do the Haunted Castle either. The Dipper!!! Another shot of the crowd. Riding the sky ride back. This is what the crowd looked like from the Hurricane. We went up to Hurricane, but it isn't worth the wait. I know that this is one of the oldest and one of the few left with the brass ring pull. I think I read that it is celebrating its 95th year. We went by the Carousel...Hi Scott and Rich! We're finally ready to ride. Manual brake #2...or is it #1? I found it peculiar that they don't use the manual brakes anymore. No one has ever taking this pic before. Coming into the station. The originial fly-by the station. Darnit! Are we there yet? More facts that we all probably know. This was interesting. They had a lot of cool coaster facts in the queue and a TV with some video. Too bad they didn't know we were coming. No ERT for us here. Man, it was crowded! We're almost to you... It has a nice splash, and on such a hot day, it was needed! We went by the log ride as we headed to the Giant Dipper. Train enthusiast photo. They re-did this ride with more glow in the dark parts inside. We didn't ride this either. I think it was out of fear of the guy without his shirt on. I will tease Big Mike with a couple of Kiddie coaster photos. The line was too long. We decided not to ride it. We headed into the Boardwalk by the log ride. The Sea Serpent ride is back there.

^We rode the banana the first time we went, but not this time. It is a fun ride though. The only thing we didn't ride, that I really want to ride, is the cars. I want to see what the whole area back there is about. The train would have been a good ride yesterday as well.

You can always wear this.... Even the ride-op is checking you out! Looking sharp buddy! The awesomeness that is Rich!!!

Yes I do have that one... Those are actually smashed quarters. The Living Seas is one of my favorite places. I dove in the Aquarium there twice. It is so great to be close to the sharks and other sea life. Your report is incredible Scott!

Hey Big Mike, you are king of the Kiddie Credit!!!

I went to El Toro on Saturday. Derek, Heath and Kim visited this place last year. I, however, didn't meet up with them. I was going to Sinaloa's for lunch (to let Gyendolynne enjoy sleeping in on her birthday) and saw that it was right next door to El Toro. I thought I would stop in and have a sampler. This is my friend Dave. We went to the Sabercats game on Saturday for Gyendolynne's birthday. I had an Imperial IPA. You can see what Gyendolynne had. I don't know what Dave is drinking. We went to dinner at Henry's Hi-Life. I had to take a nap when I got home. Here is my sampler. I had the Poppy Jasper, El Toro Oro Golden Age, Williams Wheat (YUCK!!!), Honey Blonde, and El Toro IPA. I liked everything except the Wheat beer. I will try the Extra Hoppy Poppy next time. Here is me... Derek's report was so much more thorough than I could ever do. Here is the bar. Hooray! I'm here.

Sorry I am so late with this. Congratulations Derek and Nicole. That is so awesome!

We went to Gilroy Gardens on 4/13. It has been a couple of years since we have been there. They have done a terrific job here. The place is clean, well themed, and maintained. It was extremely hot today also. They have a kiddie coaster and another one that turned out to be pretty decent. Here are the photos...of coasters and amusement parks, this time!!! This is one of the many falls throughout the Gardens. Don't you want some artichoke hearts? This duck wanted our food. No one got lost in here today. Sorry folks, the falls are closed. Shouldn't this say "Gilroy Gardens" ?? They have a great train that goes around the whole park. Some more random park photos coming up. It was so friggin' hot in here! Nope, definitely not the same one. This monorail goes inside a greenhouse. It just doesn't seem like the same one you like so much though. Scott, they have a monorail!!! A couple more photos of Quicksilver Express. Sorry, if you buy it here, you gotta drink it here. This tree was transplanted from Scotts Valley. Up the second lift hill. Yes, a second lift hill. Up the lift hill... Back of the train. Like I said, the crowds were un-bearable yesterday. Time for some more ERT. The park is educational too... They look like they are a little off course. Swan paddle boat rides... Some neat rides and theming photos coming. I don't think captions are needed. Did I mention that we had ERT at Gilroy Gardens too? We're on it... Lift-hill Beware of the tail... Hey snake, you look awfully familiar. Didn't I see you at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom? Rich, does this count as a credit? A neat thing about the area is the soundtrack. They have chainsaws and trees being cut down. Why would anyone want to take the long way around??? The theming for the walk-way and for the ride are really cool. Ooooh, first credit. I am sure Big Mike will see this soon enough. I think he is saying, "hey fatty, get off!!!" Here's my horse. Hi Gyendolynne. Are you enjoying your birthday weekend? First stop.... Funny, they have a Spring Fling event going on too. You walk across this bridge to enter the park. They had a guy taking a survey that walked with us. This guy with the back-pack was claiming all he had was food for his kids. The bottom of the bag was filled with waters! There is a sign that says not outside food or drink. Why do people even try? The entrance... Hooray! We're here Hey Garlic dude!!!

It was Gyendolynne's birthday on Saturday. We had a good dinner at Henry's Hi-Life, just down the street from Arena, and then went to the Sabercats game. Don't worry, there will be roller coaster pics soon enough. Enjoy another non-coaster update! I will leave with this... Sabercats lost 58-57. The kicker missed two extra points and a last second 48 yard field goal. Philly scored with 10 seconds to go and got the two-point conversion. It was very entertaining. They had this dog show for half-time. Touchdown!!! Penalty!!! Back to the game. They almost ran back the kick-off for a touchdown here. These photos are for my pal, Big Mike... She needs some face time too. The TV Time-out girl... He needs some face time. My friend Chris, carrying the down box. Here come the Sabercats. Woohoo! Cheerleaders, already have more women than Big Mike's updates. This guy is Saber, the mascot. Sorry for the darkness. How about some in-door fireworks! By the way, it gets pretty loud in here. A lot of people bring ear-plugs. She put headphones on her baby. Fans really get into the game, at any age... The guy on the right is the one that gave us the seats. This is the chain group. Sorry for the blurry photo. I was very far away. Sabercats warming up... This is the head coach. Here are some random photos. They won the Arena Bowl 3 times, including last year. Sabercats have won the west 7 times. My friend works the chains at the game. These seats were from him. Dave's seat was behind us. The Sabercats are a really good Arena football team. Hi, please scan my ticket. The Shark Tank looks a little different today. Happy Birthday Gyendolynne!!! I went with the New York. Hey, this time I took the picture early enough. Dave had prime-rib... They have some great food here. Gyendolynne had ribs... There's Gyendolynne! We usually go with my friend, Dave, to the Sabercats games. After a few hours, we head out to dinner at Henry's Hi-Life! ooops! I should have taken the picture sooner, again. They have great margaritas here. Next stop, Sinaloa's for lunch. Yep, it is Gyendolynne's birthday. My gift to her was some sleep and alone time! This is the beer menu. I had the Jasper Hoppy, El Toro IPA, Wheat (terrible!!), and a couple more that I forget. I like the Jasper Hoppy and El Toro IPA. That's all for my report. I ended up having the sampler. Maybe I should have taken the photo a few moments earlier... Derek does a much better review of the place then I could ever do. I was actually going to Sinaloa's mexican restaurant. El Toro was next door...who knew??? Derek, Heath and Kim made it to El Toro last year. I unfortunately didn't meet them there.