Way to go, Idaho (Silverwood)
Associated parks:
None
Yesterday morning -- way too early yesterday morning, I should note -- Ben (Railshark) picked me up and kindly drove my annoying behind alllllllll the way across Washington to Athol, ID and Silverwood. With each passing mile, I found myself reevaluating my definition of "the middle of nowhere." The only place I'd ever been before that let me see the curvature of the earth had been the Atlantic Ocean. Such desolation scares me.
I couldn't even tell you when we arrived at Silverwood, except that it was about 5 hours after we left Seattle. The parking lot was very empty, though, and that meant for good things. Ben seemed happy, too, as the place had been pretty crowded during some of his previous visits.
We started with half-price admission. Well, I did. Ben has a season pass. That was a welcome surprise, as it seemed like it should've been for Idaho residents alone. New York, Idaho...who can really tell the difference anyway, right?
The first ride had to be the Corkscrew, so we hoped into the first car with no wait. It wasn't as rough as I'd expected for it to be, nor did it collapse beneath me. Both are good things. It's nice to see that prototypes through the ages have always been one trick ponies :) So, uh, not as bad as and historical, but not really of the same "OMD wow, that ruled!!11!" caliber, either. 4 of 10.
Next was Tremors. I appreciated the coasters station and its carefully orchestrated chaos. Or something. It was neat to look at it. Through the course of the day, we rode Tremors a few times -- more than I bothered to keep track of, but fewer than a baker's dozen. It did get noticeably faster through the afternoon, so I can see why so many people have been impressed by this ride at night. I prefered my front seat rides to my back seat rides by a long shot, and, of course, appreciated the ride a bit more as the day went on. I wasn't terribly impressed by that first ride, though.
I found the ride to have two deadspots which I wouldn't necessarily care about if they didn't look as if they shouldn't have been dead. The bottom of the first helix, while fast, was tame. The bunny hop heading into the photo drop also was very lackluster. Still, the ride had a great first drop and the tunnels were first rate. 6 of 10 early in the day. 7 of 10 late in the day.
Timber Terror followed with another two handfuls of rides over the day. Again, I much prefer the front to the back here. Again, the ride got better as the day went on.
There was great air on all of the out hills, with the double up being of particular note. It wasn't quite as violent as Phoenix's tend to be (a running comparison I was making all day long) but, still, for what it is, it was great. The turn around, particularly in its last half, seemed too much like a ramp and not enough like a hill. The return trip seemed, for the most part, like it was more exciting in the back of the train, but still offered good air in the front. The highlight, though, was the final right turn into the brakes. 7 of 10 early in the day. 8 of 10 later on.
We also grabbed a quick ride on their Monster (A Schwarzkopf?) and their Scrambler. We also ate. Used bathrooms. I know, I know. . .you're thinking, "Bathroom?! Where are the details?" Sorry, but I'm short on time.
So, in the end, a personal note to my beloved Phoenix -- "Dear Phoenix,
You are still my one true love. My heart pines for thee as I sit here among the pines. The company of your children brings me comfort, but none shall be my concubine. <3.
Truly yours forever,
Maddie"
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--Maddie--
What do I Listen-To?
Hot stuff.
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So long Stealth, don't forget to write...
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--Maddie--
What do I Listen-To?
Hot stuff.
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Rob - Jerk/Loser - Standing up for the unfunny and unattractive. - Click here for details
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2004 Wood Coaster Calendar now available. Order online before Oct 5th and save. See S&D Greetings for details. Visit our booth at PPP!
~SilverStar~Nothing but the Best
Roller Coaster Alley -- our reason for the five hour journey. That's Tremors far turnaround in the background.
The original Gravity Defying Corkscrew -- now residing in sunny Idaho.
Silverwood's Log Flume -- the name escapes me. In the background, of course, Corkscrew crests its lift hill. This is my favorite picture. Don't take it from me lest you be hurt.
A Chance Skydiver -- I passed on this heavenly creation.
Timber Terror is Silv__ood's premier wooden coaster as far as I'm concerned.
More Timber Terror -- This time, it's just at the start of the ride. 10 brownie points to who can tell me how I figured that out.
Timber Terror Redux -- I love the smell of wood in the morning. Okay, yikes, so that was bad on sooo many levels. Anyway, note how the return hill is higher in profile than the outbound hill. This hill, incidentally, ended up being my least favorite.
Tremors is getting freaky going into the third tunnel.
More Tremors -- this time showing the entire third tunnel and mid-ride helix.
Tremors' third tunnel. Whoosh!
The trip there, along I-90, featured The scariest thing I'd ever seen. Well, at least, that was true until we got here.
"Where is that," you're probably wondering. Well, I'll explain how to find it.
Take a very large map of Washington State. Tape it to a wall that you don't like.
Stand back about 10 feet.
Find a dart.
Throw the dart at the eastern part of the state. Anywhere east of the Columbia river will do.
Rinse.
Repeat.
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--Maddie--
What do I Listen-To?
Hot stuff.
*** This post was edited by Chernabog 10/12/2003 7:24:15 PM ***
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The end of an era has come. Ethyl is no more.
The moon doesn't have much on it.
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If I was part of a coaster, I would be an upstop pad on an Arrow Mine Train.
MAGNUM HAD MY BABY!
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