Reflecting on the 2002 season [long]
Wow, it just keeps getting better.
Now, should I tell Rob about this (I'm on the phone with him), or let him see it himself?
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"The perfect machine, you seemed to be, when I built you up in my mind..." - Reverend Jon Autry
Rob and I are well aware of each other's sense of humor. He'll know I'm kidding, and I expect a similar retaliation soon. And if he's offended I'll gladly offer an apology, and he knows that, too.
Moosh
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"Three simple words: I am gay." - Homer Simpson, giving advice on how to dump a girl.
*** This post was edited by Mamoosh on 9/5/2002. ***
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Top 5 steel: 1)S:UF, 2)S:ROS(SFA), 3)Alpen.BGW) 4)AC(BGW)5)Hypersonic; wood 1)Rampage, 2)Roar SFA, 3)Grizzly PKD, 4)G Cyclone SFOG, 5)Wild One SFA
CCI 1992-2002, 36 rides.
Oh, the drama of the moment.... If only I could say what I really really really want to right now! .....OH!!!.... The humanity;)
Matthew, I only allow those riders with "seasoned passes." Chris, thanks for the warning...:):):)
Rob - you can give me an earful when we talk later today.
chris - you warned him? Well...just one more thing for the goons to pound you for.
Moosh - who, at 37, doesn't know how one can be more seasoned...?
PS - let's get back on topic, shall we [realizing it was my fault we got off...topic, that is].
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"Mmmmm....forbidden donut!" - Homer Simpson
My two would definatly hafta be Meeting up with SFGAM2001 at PKI on my birthday. Remember the cash register Jack?!?! Haha that was great!
And then the second would be meeting up with Koaster King, Beast Num_1, his dad, and Brian Neal before I moved down here to Nashville. It was a great day with two AMAZING rides on The Beast. I got the very first ride of the day on the Front Seat (utilized the walkback) and then the very last ride of the day Front Seat. It doesn't get any better!!!! Thanks Sean for the help with that!
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www.moviecoaster.com
chris warned no one. Honest.
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"The perfect machine, you seemed to be, when I built you up in my mind..." - Reverend Jon Autry
2002 season so far has held many memories:
Coastermania -- 7 rides on the Mean Streak without having to get up
CP -- Last ride of MF one cool summer night.
CoasterBuzzCon -- ERT on the Beast, TR:TR, and FoF. How joyous.
PKD -- Solo ride on Hypersonic XLC
IB -- Everything. I will go to IB at least once every year. Its better than CP in my opinion.
Memorial Day: Hitting 23 coasters in 11.5 hours (including driving time.) CP and SFWOA, missing only Double Loop (closed) and the Jr Gemini. (couldnt get a parent to lend me their kid.)
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"I own you!"
"SUCKA!!!!!!!"
-quotes I have been known to exclaim on coasters.
'moosh! Chris didn't warn me, as I was being sarcastic.... That said, he didn't warn me, but you can warm me.....;) Chris, Coaster will warm the cockles of your heart... (I am stopping here..............)
Rob ~ wondering how many fellow CBers question his morality, sexuality, and general sanity.
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www.tripowered.com ~ a threeway
My season was kind of short because I spent most of my summer in Bogota and San Andreas, Columbia. My biggest memory:
[1]Meeting a new girl at 8:00 PM, back seat of the last car on Giant Dipper at Santa Cruz. Sat next to her twice, on our third ride on the train together(second ride together), she gave me her number on the wa up the lift hill and............IT FLEW OUT OF MY POCKET ON THAT DARN SECOND TURNAROUND!!!! Why did the Giant Dipper have to have so much airtime?
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Lake Compounce-So Fresh and So Clean Clean
2002 was the best year ever. I don't know why, I only went to 1 new park (so far.) Started in January at BGT, which is my favorite park now, even though I was only there for 6 hours, and hated one of the coasters (no, not Python, it was closed.)
Then in May, opening day at SFGAm was the best time I ever had there with a friend, my sis, and bro-in-law. I'll never forget my first ride on AE backwards and first on Deja Vu. My friend was 'suspicious' of the noises I was apparently making on AE backwards. lol.
Less than two weeks, I was back at the park one a class trip, and had a good time, even though by 1 I was extremely annoyed with the group I was with, and it was only in the 40s all day, and Deja Vu was still closed. It was funny watching the heard of cows run towards it when they tested it.
A few weeks later I went for a 3rd time with my grandma and uncle, best moment being 2 rides away from V2 front seat, and my uncle still never have gone on it, and it breaks down. He got very upset, but all I could do is laugh. Also, I had my 2nd ride on Deja Vu, being my first front seat ride. That is absolute insanity.
August 1st came and past, and I never got to Big Chief like we planned. I am very annoyed by this fact to this day. I can't stand it when people can't commit to anything more than 2 weeks out...
Next Saturday, I'm going to SFGAm the last time this season. I'll be greeting my once-thought-lost friend, and saying goodbye to the Tylenol Express (I'm assuming it's going, things don't sound too good for it.)
In about 5 weeks I'll be finishing my season, unless it's raining, at Sea World. I plan on power riding Kumba, because I assume in early October crowds aren't going to be too bad, and I'm not really all that interested in the marine life when I can ride a sea monster.
Started off the year (well, actually it was December 31) at Castles ‘N Coasters. Had a pretty good time there, and enjoyed Desert Storm and the Mini Golf.
Spring Break led me and a hell of a lot of other people to Florida. Went to one “new to me” park, SWO. Went back to BGT and IOA, two of the greatest parks anywhere.
Went to the opening of TFC at SFEG. Even though the coaster isn’t all that great, I still enjoyed being there. Will go there again on September 21st to close out the year, and that will make three total visits.
Took a trip to Lakeside. Annual ACE event.
And of course, the trip to Japan. Wasn’t exactly a trip for coasters, but I managed to get on fourteen different coasters at four different parks. Missed out on a few, but really loved the ones I got on. Can’t wait to get back.
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TOGO!
This sounds fun
This summer has a lot of meanings to me and most don't deal with coasters. I am very happy that I am here and alive, I have learned to look at things slightly different and realize that there are a lot more important things then coasters. Love, Family, Life, Food, I have learned a lot about all those this summer. But one thing I brought away from almost dying and then being stuck for 2 months was the fact that I really loved coasters more then I thought. You could say my illness made me realize how trivila coasters are while affirming how much I love them at the same time. Odd or what?
Looking back this is what i brought back from coaster season 2002.
Superman Ultimate Flight opening day, and experience like nothing else.
CP opening day and mad trips on Maggie. Made me really fall in love with a "thing"
12 rides on Sonny in a Row, followed by a night ride on Papa, in one word .... amazing.
My first Coastermania, what can I say WOW. In the middle of the day we went to SFWOA, wow again. Then back to CP for night ERT.
Kennywood and my first ride on Phantom, wow. The park, the coasters. All just awesome.
CoasterBuzz Conn...What can I say that already hasn't been said? What a great day, got some rides with my girlfreind, met some new freinds, side trip to Lesourdsville to ride the best stand up coaster in Ohio, Eagles, and missing FOF ERT. What a day.
After that is when the fun begins. I get home from CbuzzConn and become almost die. My BP was 54 over 48 and my heartrate was 200. This changed the perspective of everything. Surgery and weakness from the over10 units of blood I lost keep me away from doing much of anything for a month and a half. I learn a lot of things from this, the least of which is to not take advil with pop, thats what gave me such a terrible kind of bleeding ulcer that just "Popped." It popped straight into a main artery.
My next highlight has to be going with my Girlfreind who I now realize means more to me then anything in the world, to Fun Spot. Only a half an hour from home and home to Afterburner, the most fun per foot coaster I have ever ridden.
Next another trip with Jen, this time to MIA. Timbers all the way. Amazing ride and it evened turned Jen into a little enthiusiast herself.
Pennsylvania and all its great small parks is another great highlight. Lakemont, its mouse and David nearly being thrown from the Little Leaper. Knoebel's holy cow, where did this place come from. What a great little park that feels just like a county fair while having more to offer then parks 10 times its size.
The major highlight of the year though has to to be Hershey and my 100th coaster, Lightning Racer : Lightning. this park has so much to offer.
Finally a mad dash from MIA to SFGAM in one day. Crazy but so fun.
87 coasters, life changing experiences, freinds, family, faith in God, countless miles on my Red ZX3, a hula girl, and memories that will last a lifetime.
Coasters don't mean much but they do when you take them into perspective.
It's a total package.
It's called Life.
-Brent
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All I need is 4.5 million bucks and a half a mile long sliver of land and maybe someone could build me my very own Shivering Timbers. ;)
I have to make next season better than this one, but this one just got me going as an enthusiast. NLT all day on just about everything at SFGAdv will do that to a guy. Special thanks to Davie The Luv Monkey, who kept me going. Next season's gonna be great
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Insert clever signature.
"We love Megan!"
Where did the '02 park season go?
This has got to be the worst park season for me ever. Cercumstances has made me a little broke this year. With little extra cash, I have only been to a handfull af parks.
HP (twice)-The first time was okay but kind of dull; I don't know why. The second time I went, I took a kid I know with me and it was the very best time I have ever had a HP. He never had been to any big park before so it was nice for me to be able to be a sort of "tour guied".
KW (once)-First ride on PR and I must say it is a wonderful ride to say the least.
Idlewild (once)-This was the first time I had been to this gem of a park. I went by myself (like usuiall), and although I noticed that the park is more for kids, I had a great time non-the-less. I must bring my nephues to Idlewild.
DelGrossos and Lakemont (few time each)- I take my nephues and other kids to these parks usuially. I don't really count them because I live 10-15 minuts away from them and go often. It was my first time on the DelGrosso's waterslides this summer and I had a great time.
I have a few more places to go this fall. I still haven't decided what park will be lucky enough to have me as a guest.
Next year, next year. It's going to be great.
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-KoRn is the Millennium Force of ROCK-
Great start to the thread, Moosh.
I had the greatest summer in my history as a mild enthusiast. I did everything that I planned with some extras to boot. To keep this short, I tried to put the park with the surprise or the "power" ride next to it.
MiA: (C'mon, Shiver me!), CP (WT), SFWoA (Didn't have much luck here, but Batman and Villain are incredible), LeSourdsville (Wow! Eagle is a classic), PKI (You name it, they got it! Plus, I was completely blown away by their smaller coasters (AdvExp, Top Gun, Face Off)), SFKK (Chang, TR, TS), HW (oh MY!), IB (Incredible boardwalk atmosphere with a little CB), Kennywood (simply amazing), Conneaut (Magical little park, BS is no bs!), Waldameer (Adorable!), SFDL (Biggest surprise of the season. S:ROS is no joke and Viper in nothing to joke about.), Fun Spot (It's just a spot).
My coaster riding buddy and myself made the most of our off time as teachers. We visited 13 parks (9 that we have never visited before), rode 68 different coasters (36 of which were first time rides), in one of the greatest summers that I have had. Our students still call us geeks, but some of them will do the same at a later date to regain their childhoods. : )
Early trips for 2003 include Las Vegas in March and a Spring break trip to PKI, SFGa, Adventure in Valdosta, GA, IoA, Disney, Dania Beach, BGT.
Thanks for listening and your trips sound just as complex, but as fun as ours!
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There's nothing like a woodie...
A bittersweet thread...love it. Hard to believe the season is wrapping up...extra sad for me as it was my first summer as an "enthusiast" (I needed a hobby, I like roller coasters, watched the TLC shows at the end of last summer and I found it). Highlights for me include:
April weekend trip to BGT: showed up on Grandma's doorstep at 1:00am on a Friday for a surprise visit which included my first trip to BGT and many hours at the beach. Coastline and roller coasters...ahh!
Finding this site: though I don't know any of you, I feel a sense of comradery (sp?) and have been educated and amused by many of you all during the long dull work days of my summer. Thank you!
Rediscovering IB: I wrote a really sappy mushy post about IB, but it's such a special place and I was glad to get there with so many different friends and family this summer. They really, really need a season pass.
SRM & HW generally: how much good stuff can they pack into Indiana? Fabulous coasters (the trip turned my brother into an enthusiast too, so I'm not the only dork in the family), fabulous waterpark, and FREE POP! Santa Claus rocks my world (this might not make a bad signature?)
2nd annual Labor Day weekend trip to CP & WOA & the rock-n-roll hall of fame: cedar point, the place that started the obsession, through my new critical "enthusiast" eyes-even with those less-than-rose-colored glasses, CP is awesome.
Though I've got several fall events (and a tentative December trip to LA) planned, I do feel a little sad about the end of summer. Now I look forward to seeing what you all "buzz" about all winter...
Dawn
*** This post was edited by dawnmarie313 on 9/5/2002. ***
Wow what a year, it all started with finding a 28.00 Amtrak ticket from Chicago to Oakland. March 1st and SFMM, of course X shut down after I waited in line two hours, and Deja Vu was stuck., but it was a wonderful trip complete with a train derailment in Sacramento.
Next, what possesed me to jump in my car at 6:30 PM and drive all the way to Carolwinds for opening day. I just love spur of the momet trips (first new ride opening day of the year-the new mouse).
Next was Brent's and my first 5 day weekend trip, Kings Island opening day (Tomb Raiders too), the next day we make the dash down to SFoG to get Brents Season Pass-What a Cluster that was!! and the highlight of the Day- Superman UF. (New ride 3), Heck why not make a trifecta and go to Carolwinds again. Wow what a trip.
Next was CP opening day and Wicked Twister what a kick in the rear!!
After that it was a rush, PKI again, then the big weekend- Coastermania, SFWoA, Kennywood, CB-Con, and a side trip to the Screechin' Eagle, then back to visit mom for a couple days and off to Penn.
Tuesday night Dinner across the street from Lighting Racers, Wednesday Dorney- Steel Force is no Maggie, and Hurculies, was so bad I laughed my butt off. Then on my way to Hershey park, I got the call that Brent was in the hospital- To be right at the gate, and not go in, but "little" brother is more important than any coaster. I made the trip home in 9hrs. only stoping three times, once for gas and a couple pit stops.
Well after that, I made a pact with Brent that we would both ride Lightning Racers, when he got better.
4th of July weekend, Drive all night to to spend the afternoon at Magic Springs, Arkansas Twister is quite a underrated Gem. Friday SFoT, it was one of the best days I ever spent at a park by myself. It is the best park for just finding a table in the shade and sitting for awhile and watching the people. Mr. Feeze was great, Texas Giant, showed me why Mean Streak has Brakes. and Titan was just great. And why not top the weekend off with a few hrs.at World of Fun. How can Mamba be so much better than Steel Force??
Somewhere in this mess, I made a trip to Holliday Word to get my Legend/Raven fix, and a dash to ride Corny and Tigger.
Finally the end of July arives and Brent is back in circulation, Back to Penn. We start off at Lakemont, where it was my turn to have my life flash before my eyes, who would think that you could almost die on a kiddie coaster?, After a trip to the aid station it was off to Knobbles, wow, I love this place. Late Friday night we arrive at a very crowded Hershey Highmeadow Campground. For the next two days we had a blast, Saturday morning and early afternoon- Dorney, Steel Force was much better thank you, Idiots in the Talon Que. Next up the Penn. Railroad Mus. in Strasburg, topped off by a wonderfull evening in Hershey park, where Brent made 100 on Lighting Racers. Sunday back to the Park for a wonderful time, In the late afternoon Brent went back to the Park, and I drove to Lancaster and then had a fight with my cell phone IR modem, I should have gone back to the Park! Monday we went to Gettysburg, what a feeling that place give you.
After that trip it was lots of weekends at work, then Indiana Beach, and LoCoSuMo, talk about out of control, "Hang on Indy, We're going for a Ride". Then the next Day I met Brent at MIA and we made that crazy mad dash to SFGAM. For me. LoCoSuMo was 150 and I have ridden 118 coasters so far this year.
Saturday, I will to "Get to The Point"
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http://www.kneebush.com
Dave's Trips
*** This post was edited by kneemeister on 9/6/2002. ***
Highlights of 2002:
February:Finally decided to hit the Florida parks:
Wild Adventures turns out to be a pleasant surprise
Islands of Adventure, Busch Gardens Tampa, and SeaWorld leave some great memories: Dueling Dragons, Montu, Gwazi(my 100th coaster), and Kraken.
March to May:
Several first time parks:
Astroland(so close, yet my first time ever on the Cyclone) Kings Dominion-Volcano is very good, but had to wait until mid-season for Hypersonic(a ride worth the wait) Lake Compounce-Boulder Dash is the best woodie hands down for me. Also on the first time park list:SFDL, PCW, Seabreeze, Martin's Fantasy Island
June to July: Several trips to my home parks of SF Great Adventure and Dorney Park. Also, my first trip to Knoebel's(Phoenix is right up there on my list).
August: The annual big coaster vacation
Camden Park, SFKK, Holiday World(Legend is awsome, don't understand the hype about Raven though),Silver Dollar City(a great park,can't wait to go back, Wildfire was a pleasant suprise for that type of park),Worlds of Fun, SFStL(rode my 200th coaster-Screamin Eagle),PKI(took the ACE walkback to the Beast and my daughter enjoyed the kiddie area very much),Cedar Point(it's always included at some point in our trip), SFWoA(already been there and done that, but we rode a few things and spent more time taking in the wildlife side),DelGrosso's and Lakemont Park(had to ride Leap the Dips-which turned out to be my son's 200th coaster).
All in all, a good year to this point. If all goes well, a trip back to Lake Compounce for Halloween(I've heard it's a can't miss), and possibly a trip to Carowinds.
The biggest highlight would have to be that we added 140 new coasters to the track record and that my wife, my son and I were all able to reach 100 and 200 in the same year. My 3 year old daughter now has 61 coasters to her credit(not bad, considering that she is barely 42" tall).
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Jim Hansen
Number of coasters ridden: 171
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