SFGAm 5/16 "Where's my Poncho?"

I got to the park at about 10:30 to see an empty parking lot, but a large "horde" of kids outside the gates. I later found out that I was at "physics day." Oh well, I guess I should have paid more attention to the "phone first" commercials.

I got in the park at about 11:15, and went to throw my bag in a locker ($5 - ouch). This is when I discovered that I forgot my trusted $.99 K-Mart poncho. Oops.

So, donned in my sweatshirt I headed over to Viper for a 25 minute wait for the backseat. Not necessarily what I had in mind for the day wait-wise, but still better than sitting in my cubicle. The ride was fine, but not great. Viper doesn't seem as terrific to me this year as in the past. Maybe it's because I've experienced a greater variety of coasters in the past year, or maybe it's just the ride itself. On Viper's lift, I noticed where all the kiddies came from, there were rows and rows of busses parked in the lot.

I headed over to Raging Bull after Viper, and the line looked a bit long for my tastes. I skipped it and headed over to the American Eagle.

The Eagle was only running the backwards side, and that was fine with me. I absolutely love the ride on the backwards Eagle, which offers abundant air, and great speed up to the final helix.

I had made a promise to a friend that I wouldn't ride V2 without him, so I skipped that toady. I know it sounds odd, but there is a back story to this would take far too long to explain (and would probably bore you to tears).

Around 1:00, some of the groups of kids started to clear out, so I headed over to RB for a 15 minute wait. I never really liked RB too much, but it's starting to grow on me. The "dip" into the first drop is pretty effective, particularly in the back, and the ride is paced pretty well. I'd prefer some more air hills, but begars can't be chosers.

It had started to rain at this point, so I thought I would check out how Viper was running. The line from earlier in the day was non-existatnt, and I quickly boarded 1.3 for a great ride. The rain brought the old Viper back to life, and I was treated to an air-filled, slammin' ride on one of my favorites. I jumped back in line for what would be many, many rides.

I decided I needed a break, and headed back to RB for a couple more laps (10 minute wait - back seat), and then headed back to AE for a rainy backseat, backwards ride.

I hadn't been on B:TR yet this season, so I hopped on for a quick lap. B:TR is still great. I love the tight, compact layout, and the intense rush it provides.

At about 3pm the majority of the scool kids were gone, so I headed over to Viper for some more laps (three of them without even leaving my seat).

By the time I was done with my mini-marathon on Viper, I was soaked, the temperature had dropped significantly, and I decided to call it a day, as I had to get up early the next morning to make it to IB for the LoCoSuMo Media Day.

My day:

Bull-3
Viper-Lost Track
AE-2
B:TR-1

Skipped because I didn't feel like it: Shockwave, Iron Wolf, Demon, and Wizzer.

Skipped because I'm a good friend who was true to his word, depite the non-existant lines: V2

Skipped because I had no choice: Deja Vu
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"He's blazin' away like the stars in the universe.." A. Vega + M. Rev "Ghostrider"

Someday there will be something here.

*** This post was edited by chris on 5/18/2002. ***