Timbersfest CPLady Style

After a couple days of hedging, I finally decided to go to TimbersFest, and made a reservation at the Super 8 in Whitehall.

Saturday morning I woke up to rain, but with mapquest maps in hand, I hit the road around 10 am. Mapquest gave a trip time of 3.5 hours. I planned 3 hours. By the time I hit Lansing, the rain had stopped. When I hit Grand Rapids, the sky cleared and I was psyched. I reached the hotel in Whitehall in 2.5 hours, thanks to light traffic and a slightly leaded foot.

I checked into the Super 8 first so I didn't have to check in after the ERT when I'd likely be too dead to sign the register, and headed to MIA which was a convenient 5 miles or so from the hotel. I arrived at 1 pm as planned, got my tickets from Janice Withrow and spent the first hour or so taking pictures and just wandering.

The changes I noticed from my trip of last year (besides Corkscrew being orange), was the upgraded landscaping, new fencing, and tables with umbrellas. The circus was replaced with the Timbertown Railway, the dead spot between Sea Dragon and Corkscrew was replaced with Go Karts, and the CP Dodgems brightened up the midway between the Falling Star and Log Flume. Be Bop Blvd was completed and running, and I could see Rip Cord and Hydroblaster across the lake.

While back near Rip Cord, I talked with Janice Withrow and Brian from CP who were discussing Ripcord's single tower vs the arch located at CP, how it allowed for a taller ride that took up less space, and we all agreed swinging over the lake really added to the ride (although you won't catch ME on it). I noted the improvements to the park from last year and added hopes for a nice hyper. Brian said they were going to be spending the next year or two bringing the park "up to Cedar Point standards" and noted the vast amount of acreage they had to work with. I have to say that both were very friendly and happy to talk to someone they didn't know from a hill of beans.

They headed into the waterpark for a look see and I made my way over to Timbers. I wanted to find Kara (STChick). Sure enough, Kara was power riding Timbers in hopes of hitting the 600 ride mark by the end of the day. With her was Brad (Arrow Guy). After spending a good portion of the day with Kara, I can say she has enough energy to power a city for 24 hours!

Kara suggested we take a hop on the Frog Hopper. She said although it's a kiddie ride, they let adults ride as well. Maybe last year. The ride op wouldn't let us get on, even tho Kara pointed out there is no maximum height restriction on the sign. I could tell Kara is a bit frustrated with the Cedar Point-ization of her park.

We walked over to the Wild Mouse to take a spin. I got a great picture of Brad hugging a support . I took the front, Kara and Brad took the back. The newer Arrow Wild Mouse is not as "scary" as the old time Wild Mouse with the little two seater cars, but the quick turns, hills and smooth ride made it a fun ride.

Off to Drummer Boy. For those unfamiliar with the ride, they are circular tubs on a spinning platform, with wheels in the center of the tubs so you can spin the tubs. Kara spun the tubs so fast that all Brad and I could do was hold on. I think the op kept us going longer than usual (we were the only ones on the ride), and by the time we got off, Brad was looking mighty green. Good thing we did it before lunch. We hooked up with John Peck and Melissa.

Lunch was okay. Not quite as good as CBuzzCon. Chicken, hamburgers, hotdogs, beans, macaroni salad, and veggies, with brownies and ice cream for dessert. After eating, Kara introduced me to MITrooper and his wife, and we were off again to do some more riding.

Be Bop Blvd seems to be having it's problems. The cars kept stopping on the track and what should have been a few minute wait was more like 20 minutes. Melissa and I got a lavendar car, John Peck got the pink one. This is another fun little ride, with Be Bop music playing in the cars as you drive along.

From there we hit the Dipper, another suprisingly fun family coaster. You travel the circuit twice, and one of the little dips provides a tad of airtime. I missed this one on my previous trip.

Corkscrew looks MUCH better than it did. It's still a short ride, but I didn't get as much headbanging on it as I usually get on corkscrews. The turnout of the last corkscrew bashed my jaw, tho.

On to Zach's Zoomer. Funny, but I like this smaller coaster much better than Wolverine Wildcat. It's fast, and much smoother.

We took a spin on Sea Dragon and then Wolverine Wildcat was next. This coaster reminds me of a mini Mean Streak in it's roughness. I could see where improvements were made, and one spot was a bit smoother than last year, but only one spot. I still like the drop down out of the station into the tunnel before the lift hill.

We met a group of ACE'rs outside the log flume who planned to take over the Dodgems. The plan was to form into one long line, then the leader would hit the barrier with everyone forming a chain reaction bump. Unfortunately, after two tries, they couldn't get more than 5 to bump in succession. But it was fun trying.

It was about this time when rain moved in. We headed to Timbers and waited in the station for the weather to clear and Timbers to open again. We rode Timbers a few times, and all agreed the blue train was running the best. I don't care where you ride on Timbers, it's going to be a good ride.

On to ERT. I have to say that riding coasters with a bunch of coaster enthusiasts only adds to the experience. MITrooper took his wife home earlier, so I rode Timbers with him a few times, as well as with some of the ACE'rs I met. The highlight of the ERT was when the CBuzzers all tried to get into the same train with Kara/STChick who rode in the front for her 600th lap on Timbers. The entire station of enthusiasts cheered as we left the station, and again as we returned.

Night rides on Timbers are awesome. Lights are located underneath the three large hills, but are only seen on the ride back. Although they would not turn off the lights for our rides, Kara did convince management to turn off the parking lot lights. ERT was to have ended at 10:30, but they let us ride until 11 pm.

Afterwards, Kara (STChick), Brad (Arrowguy), John Peck, Melissa, John Jay, the Timbers Ride Op and a couple others (like I said, I can be bad with names) and I went to Ficano's for pizza. It was well after 1 am before I got back to the Super 8 and made it to bed, definitely feeling the 40 plus rides I had on Timbers.

I will be making this trip a regular event from now on.

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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead

*** This post was edited by CPLady on 6/16/2002. ***

Glad you had a good time like I did!

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Good Times!! Good Times!!
-Patrick

Patrick! Yes...another one of the names and faces. I met SO many people it was hard to remember everyone.

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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead

WOW! Nice job with the links to the pics and everything! I especially like the one of John in the pink car :).

I am so glad you could make it; it was great having you join us! Hahaha on the energy thing...hey, someone had to do it! I'll never forget the rain/thunder delay when I grabbed the mic and started asking why X was closed and what Cedar Point was getting; people probably thought I was COMPLETELY insane, but oh well :). So glad you could be on "the train" of the night..that was a great run, wasn't it? Hey, were you the car that followed us back to MIA from the pizza place? We were like "hmm...someone's still following us!" LOL, and the gate to the employee lot was locked so we had to go wandering around after midnight finding someone to open the gate! What a day, what a day. Anyway, glad Timbers was running great for you, and I hope to see you again soon!
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Kara (car-uh)
609 Laps
206 in '02
BuzzCon Frequent Flyer, making kids cry all day long

Very nice report. Just wanted to say i was there with you guys on all those rides. i didnt know any of you pesonaly but i reconiged Kara from her shirt. i heard you all talking about going for pizza. i was the tall blonde guy with glasses and wearing a Geauga Lake sweatshirt. Nice job on your 609 laps Kara. I think i sat in front of you for that ride, cause when we all got off i heard a guy say that you just rode your 600th ride. well hope to meet all you again.

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CPLady said:

Kara suggested we take a hop on the Frog Hopper. She said although it's a kiddie ride, they let adults ride as well. Maybe last year. The ride op wouldn't let us get on, even tho Kara pointed out there is no maximum height restriction on the sign.

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Now that's just plain bizarre - in VF country we have a Frog Hopper with a 'big butt' seat in the middle specially for grown folk. I wonder why they wouldn't let you on.

I'll say you certainly are getting around for a gal who could only make one event. Hmmmm. I'm impressed how quick you got your photos online, too....thus far I've only scanned three pics total of the 5 rolls I developed from the CPlaya 100..and there's a sixth roll I have yet to get developed.

Anyway, I hope to bring CBaby and Da Midget to MA the week after Independence Day. CMidget is so psyched....she kept leafing through the photos I have, pointing at every enclosed slide and asking "Is THAT the Snake Pit? Is THAT the Snake Pit?"

-'Playa

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The CPlaya 100--6 days, 9 parks, 47 coasters, 2037 miles and a winner.....LoCoSuMo.

*** This post was edited by CoastaPlaya on 6/16/2002. ***

What? No mention of the Coasterman? Aww shucks... whats a guy gotta do to get mentioned in a TR? :)

Coasterman Mike

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Kennywood, Celebrating 75 Years of Racing Sperm ;)

Oh, were you that strange kid that followed us around all day;)? Nah, it was great having you with us for some of our insane moments, even though your fast car was probably the reason our bumper car ordeal didn't work! Did my rowing on ST make the cut for your video:)? Hehe, we will see...

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Kara (car-uh)
609 Laps
206 in '02
BuzzCon Frequent Flyer, making kids cry all day long

I was on the train with the rowing. 2 rows behind you

Hehehe...if you were on any train with Kara then there was rowing... ;)

Great TR cp...it was great to finally meet you and all the rest of the maniacs we call comrades. We truelly are a strange breed...coaster enthusiasts that is... ;) I was to go today...but you know, the wife and I just hopped in the car and drove...to no place special, just drove. It was great. Sorry Kara for not being there with you today...I hope you had fun anyways without your goggle tottin brother. :)

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83 laps on ST this year...47@TFest(sat)
144 total...I'll catch you Kara.. ;)

Day 2 of timbersfest was great. There was no one there. It was like ERT all day long. Gotta keep my wife from the on-ride photo booth though, she likes it a little too much. Hey, where's a good place to eat near MA?

*** This post was edited by PointMan on 6/17/2002. ***

Darn, missed a couple more. Sorry!! Like I said, I KNEW I was going to miss people. I'm just SO bad with names, especially trying to write everything up the next day.

Dave71, Kara was in the front of the Blue Train with Brad for her 600th lap. I was in the second row, not sure who it was riding with me. We did the "wave" a couple times before leaving the station. What a blast.

Yes, Kara, that was me...I honked as you guys pulled into the Employee Center. I wasn't sure how to get back to 31 after all that weaving through Muskegon, and then once we made 31, I just decided to keep following.

Cplaya, that's the advantage to having a digital camera. Just plug it into the PC and you've got digital pics all set to go! I just put them on my personal website so I could link to them from here.

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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead

CPLady, then i must have just missed the 600th ride. Maybe i was on the next one or so. It was still a awsomely great time to be there. It was my first time to park. I live by Cleveland. Long 7 hr drive there. Just want to say to all the other CBuzzers that were there that i didnt get to meet personaly you were all great. Someone here that goes to the park alot tell John(ride op) for the great night.

I think maybe the CBuzzers should get together at MIA sometime for a Timbers 100.

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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead

Why do I always look fat in these pictures?

Heh Heh.... It was a Jolly good time this weekend kids. A great time had by all. I have yet to attend MIA without some rain during the day, though.

Congrats on 600+ laps, Kara!

That would be cool, I'll have to make it to the next Timberfest. But I did enjoy my time at Holiday World and had fun explain Timbers to people when they ask about my shirt and I told them Raven had nothing on it, but I'd say Legend comes in a really close second to Timbers.

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“If you give a enthusiast a footer.......He’ll want a coaster!!!"
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Sign me up for the timbers 100!

That's Fricanos, btw. The one in Grand Haven, right?

Fricanos is a second restaurant located in Muskegon, a take off of the first located in Grand Haven. It's been a very long time since I've had really thin crust pizza. I couldn't eat the entire thing (although STChick and the waiter insisted we could). Since I was going back to a hotel, I let John the Timbers Ride Op box up the rest to take home. Hope he enjoyed it!

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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead

When's the Timbers 100? I wanted to come to Timbersfest, but my weekend was already busy. (Yes, some things come before coasters!) Sounds like everyone had fun.

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Who can go a whole day at MiA riding Timbers ONCE? Repeat after me: "I hate parent chaperones"