Kennywood (10/4/02) - Pre-PPP, 100th Lap

I left Kennywood last weekend with 91 laps on Phantom’s Revenge and I fully intended on hitting 100 today, but never did I think it would be so interesting.

The park looked rather crowded for 6 PM, but the lines ended up being pretty short once I got inside. I got three rides on PR in before seeing CBers GregLeg, loriu, chris, Arrow Guy, and Jess. We took two rides on PR, the last of which was in the rain, and went over towards the other side of the park. We stopped for a ride on the Kangaroo before getting one ride each on Jack Rabbit and Racer. These rides are absolutely insane while raining! By this point, I was completely soaked and my arms were a little sore from the rain slamming into them at such speeds.

We decided to head back over to PR for some more extreme airtime, only to find it closed due to rain. We hit Musik Express before heading over to Bayern Kurve, which ended up being closed, so we hit Gran Prix instead. With only ten cars running, there was plenty of room to pick up speed before giving someone a good whack.

We went and got another ride each on Jack Rabbit and Racer, after which we noticed that the rain had let up, so we headed over towards PR to see if it was back up. Fortunately, it was and I got two quick laps in before they had to shut it down again due to rain. Minutes away from my 100th lap on my favorite coaster and the darn thing gets shut down. Chris and I decided to wait it out since it was going to be our last ride of the night. After 10-15 minutes, it was reopened and we were on our way up the lift hill to begin what would become one of the wildest rides I’ve ever experienced. It started raining pretty good as we crested the top of the lift and soon enough we were soaring down that beautifully curved first drop, in the dark, in the pouring rain. My face was covered, glasses were fogged up, needless to say I had no idea what was going on. Combine that with wet rails on an already incredible coaster and you’ve got one wild ride!

I was quite pleased to hit 100, especially when you consider I only had 57 three weeks or so ago. It seems like just yesterday that I was watching that thing being built; now here I am with a hundred laps on it. I’ve enjoyed every one of those hundred laps and look forward to getting many more in the future. If you haven’t been out to Kennywood yet to ride this thing, you should really consider doing so as soon as possible and I’ll help in any way I can. What an awesome way to kick off an awesome weekend!

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Joe Cernelli
Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
"Don't criticize what you can't understand."

Did you go into any of the haunted houses? How where they?

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I've only been in one so far, which I thought was pretty entertaining, although I wouldn't necessarilyi call it scary. I hope to hit the rest of them before they close for the season though.

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Joe Cernelli
Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
"Don't criticize what you can't understand."

Joe - Nice meeting you Friday. I think we made the right choice when we waited it out for that last PR ride. It was really a relief to get some shelter from the rain for a while.

*** This post was edited by chris on 10/8/2002. ***

Chris, what is it with you and rain? Heck, you come up here to the beautiful pacific northwest at the end of summer, to encounter squalls....;) Do you bring this stuff with you?

BTW, I hear PR was the bomb on Friday!

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Some call me............Titan!

I cannot put into words how incredible PR was running Friday. Actually, I could, but it wouldn't be appropriate for these forums. ;)

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Joe Cernelli
Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
"Don't criticize what you can't understand."

Rob - I don't know what the deal is with me and the rain lately. At least I actually enjoy it, or I'd be pretty miserable.

Phantom's Revenge was absolutely ridiculous Friday night, Rob. I know you'll love it when you get there.

*** This post was edited by chris on 10/9/2002. ***

Somehow missed meeting up with you guys, but I was there Friday night. TR's are coming soon for KW, SFWoA, and CP, but I'll go ahead and tell ya.

PR was the first coaster of the trip, is my new #1 steelie, and didn't change after riding 27 other coasters this weekend.

Out of control, period. The coaster wants you OUT of the train and does everything in it's power to get it's way. I'm glad it was raining some, cause it was flying.

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Getting a B&M will always beat out having to take a BM.

Glad you enjoyed "my baby" :)

(Yes, Lori, I know we agreed to joint custody...)

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--Greg
"For all we know, Stonehenge is just the ruined supports for an early roller coaster." -- RCT2 manual
My page

Hey now, I had more to do with giving birth to her than either of you! ;)

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"When I was growing up, we were taught something called manners. You'd understand that if you weren't such an idiot." - Jack Handey

Heh. True. Godfather, perhaps? (Stuffs cheeks with cotton...)

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--Greg
"For all we know, Stonehenge is just the ruined supports for an early roller coaster." -- RCT2 manual
My page