MonkeyPants Posted October 30, 2006 Posted October 30, 2006 So a little over 20 (egads) years ago, I wanted to go to Cedar Point, and the annual family trip had ceased happening. So my mother decided she'd drive me down from Michigan, and sit on the beach reading or cross-stiching. She wasn't one for thrill rides, and only rode Gemini maybe once a trip. So this particular trip, I think she might enjoy the rides, and somehow talk her into trying Demon Drop. Mind you she was planning on cross-stitching on the beach all day. As we waited in line, she was soooo nervous. I was actually a little nervous, cause she always said she had back problems as a reason not to ride rollercoasters, and Demon Drop is not known for it's butter-smooth ride. Finally, we get on, and she's about to have a heart attack. Up the tower, forward, Drop! Then all I hear for the next few minutes is uncontrolable giggling! The instant we walked off the station, she says "Can we go again!?" Thus began my mom's love of thrill rides. Having taken her on many trips with friends and just the two of us, she's always loves going to parks. Years ago, walking into King's Island with a bunch of friends and her, someone asked "What should we ride first," to which she responding by jumping up and down going "The Beast! The Beast! The Beast!" Fast forward to this year... I was able to take a number of trips to parks, and each time I talked about it she got so excited. But she didn't make it herself. And it's been a few years since she's gone to a park. I really wanted her to be able to go out and have some fun, as she's getting up there in years (67) and doesn't know anyone else who likes rides. So Thrusday I said that if it's nice at all this last weekend at CP for 2006, we'd go down there. Friday evening.... Raining and cold.... No go. Saturday.... Even rainier and colder. Plus it's a Saturday... No go. Sunday.... Gorgeous weather.... We went! I was very glad for her to be able to ride some coasters... She loves it so much... I love hearing her giggle incessently, having a ball! I took a bunch of pics of the coasters, including some very nerdy ones... I kept trying to get shots that hadn't been done a million times before. Sometimes I got that, and others... Well, there's only so many views of dragster from the ground... Anyway, here they are... And my mom had a great time! She even told a ride-op on Milf that she's 67 and loves that ride. This one is for all you Intamin-4-rail track fans. I know you're out there... I guess it's also good for all the black, greasy goo fans. You know who you are. Didn't make it on to this ride... Just didn't happen by it. Purdy fall colors and purdy fall sunshine Cool train go zoom Cool train This kinda defeats the point of being in the first row, no? "Oh, no I can't!" "I can see my house from here!" Setting new standards in TTD photography Homey's having some fun at 120mph Dear God don't let me die on this... Or if you must, at least make it super-fun. This one looks familiar Never. Before. Seen. Magnum punches below the belt with a lapbar to the groin! Maggie go over a hill that used to be obscured by trees Maggie go down... Maggie go up... Nerd Alert! This shot shows the rarely seen anti-rollbback dogs... Woohoo! Oh... They do.... Guess this means the lines are short... It almost looks like these folks have the ride all to themselves! Drive-by shooting of Maverick Then down! ...and up.... ....and up... The people go up.... Nerd Alert! My mom was sitting in that last seat later in the day! At 67! Did I mention that it's tall? Might not have seen the shot before! Another one! Never-before-seen shot! And it has cool looking trains. This one's big. Cedar Point has rides...
MonkeyPants Posted October 30, 2006 Author Posted October 30, 2006 more pics... I really like this picture... I think I'll frame it and hang it on my wall. So that's it for Grannie-buzz 2006. Hope you enjoyed the pics! Very cool station lighting. These lucky folks just had a rollback and are v e r y s l o w l y rolling back to launch position Top Thrill Dragster became Stand Still Master with 5 trains to go in 2006. Fortunately, this maintenance man hadn't gone home for the season. One of the last TTD rides of 2006 I can't believe I timed this right Top Thrill Grannie & Me having a ball at Cedar Point! Skyhawk. it's like Maxair, but without the spinning I hope that kid doesn't fall out abstract painting of rollie - coaster? This goose kept getting in the way... I think he wanted to ride. Draggie in the water Top Squiggle Dragster Talk about steep! Yipes! fast! must come down What goes up.... Magnum.... Through the trees! Wheeee! And you thought Mil.f was tall
jamesdillaman Posted October 30, 2006 Posted October 30, 2006 Wow, those are awesome pics What type of camera do you use? Those are truly as you stated some angles I've never seen before. Props are due. -James Dillaman
themeparkguy27 Posted October 30, 2006 Posted October 30, 2006 Sweet pics! The closeups and looks on some of the people's faces are just awesome.
Shavethewhales Posted October 30, 2006 Posted October 30, 2006 Oh man, those are the best pics I've seen in a long time, especially that first one. wow, that's all I can say. Great Job.
SLUSHIE Posted October 30, 2006 Posted October 30, 2006 Yay a photo TR by a guy that knows how to use a camera. Not that the other TRs are bad.
CoasterEricHP Posted October 30, 2006 Posted October 30, 2006 Amazing pictures! That either has crazy megapixel'age or an incredible zoom.. plus the colors are really vivid.. especially the reds. Oh yeah.. Great TR! Eric
CoasterFanatic Posted October 30, 2006 Posted October 30, 2006 These pictures are just SICK! Good shots man!
raptorcrew2002 Posted October 30, 2006 Posted October 30, 2006 I agree awesome photos. That is so sweet about raptor you have got to post the photo. It had to be between the cobra and mid course. Please, please someone tell me Raptor Joe returned this season to work the platform and or she was on it for the roll back? And all I have to say is HA, thats what happens when some people don't listen to the ride platform either winds or too cold. The memory's.. hahaha. But stories best kept. Now the only question is was it loaded, or during tests? My guess from operating the ride it had to be during test runs as the train when cold with only 1 or 2 op's riding creeps the track very slowly. Add wind off the lake.. I now feel a little better since in 02 we went down and never got our final employee ride Who was sup in that zone this year? Cheers.
pvcoasterguy Posted October 30, 2006 Posted October 30, 2006 Wow... those are some great shots! Kudos! You're a great photographer! Thanks for posting these--they are amazing.
Mystery Posted October 30, 2006 Posted October 30, 2006 Wow, those are awesome pics What type of camera do you use? Those are truly as you stated some angles I've never seen before. Props are due. -James Dillaman The pictures tell me that it is an Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT But awesome pictures!
pianojohn Posted October 30, 2006 Posted October 30, 2006 And again....AWESOME PICS! Please let us know what type of camera you used. I imagine it is a 35mm SLR with a HUGE telephoto lens hence the close ups of TTD from the top of the tower. Great work! Thanks!
VegasCoaster Posted October 30, 2006 Posted October 30, 2006 I am jealous of your camera and your photography skills. I've taken some decent shots but nothing like these (at least of coasters). I especially love the TTD through the mist at night one.
Real Posted October 30, 2006 Posted October 30, 2006 Someones got a SUPER Telephoto lens. Which will be my next purchase. You had some good color to that day, albeit cold. But it makes for great color so its worth it. Nice pictures.
ECZenith Posted October 30, 2006 Posted October 30, 2006 Oooooo monkeypants got skills with the camera! That photo of Dragster with the water droplets flying everywhere is prime, probably the best photos I've ever seen in a photo TR, seriously.
Erik Johnson Posted October 30, 2006 Posted October 30, 2006 Perhaps the best C.P. photos I have ever seen. You must be a professional photographer. If you are not, you should be.
Skyfly Posted October 30, 2006 Posted October 30, 2006 That first picture is probably the best I've ever seen from CP, AWESOME pics!
GMAN962 Posted October 30, 2006 Posted October 30, 2006 Awesome pictures! You are too good of a photographer! Looked really fun! What camera do you have? It looks like crazy zoom if you can take a picture of people at the top of TTD that big.... -Mike
coastrfreak2000 Posted October 31, 2006 Posted October 31, 2006 Awesome photography!!! I LOVE the first picture.
coasterdude5 Posted October 31, 2006 Posted October 31, 2006 Great shots, very professional! Great TR, too.
jmicha Posted October 31, 2006 Posted October 31, 2006 To the person that asked when Raptor valleyed, it happened during morning tests. The train didn't make it up into the MCBR and stopped at the bottom of the cobra roll. The train sat there until after close. It was kind of awkward seeing the train just sitting there. My friend and I went over to ride, and we saw that it wasn't running (my guess was due to wind). We decided to ride Cedar Downs after that, and while on the ride, I noticed that the my theory was correct and that it had valleyed due to the high winds.
mr_teisco_delrey Posted October 31, 2006 Posted October 31, 2006 I am speechless ! You have to be a pro! Two cheers for "Top Thrill Granny"! by the way. Looks like you had an awesome time. May is just around the corner .
Chgoe Posted October 31, 2006 Posted October 31, 2006 Awsome pictures! I've always wanted to take pictures of coasters like that. Thanks for some great inspiration and possibly future planning for Cedar point...that look very empty but chilly too.
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