Coaster Fest and Kennywood

Photo courtesy of Irishcoast's Homepage!

Random thoughts on our Memorial Day weekend, including KW, WYNCC's Coasterfest and our first ever visit to the state of New York. MFI is a very nice park - I would definitely go back! It's much bigger than I expected, and I like the layout of the park. There was one area that seemed to have a western theme, but most of the park felt very traditional. They have a giant slide that Susan and I rode down together. It flattens out after each drop, though, so make sure you give yourself a good push off the top! Silver Comet did not impress me during the day. Um, it definitely impressed me at night! The best way to describe this coaster is FUN! It has a very very compact twister section, which makes the turns tight and the drops quick. There is one lateral turn that rivals Rampage's best. And the speed with which it takes the final bunny hills is amazing! It actually seems to pick up speed on the last turnaround, which I suppose is an illusion created by its compact layout. But what a finish! And what a complete difference between day and night! WNYCC did an awesome job on the food and organization. I met a representative, I believe his name was Mike, and he was very friendly. He went out of his way to welcome both Susan and I and thanked us for coming all the way from Minnesota. A woman, who's name I believe was Carolyn, was also very nice to us. MFI put out a spread that was second only to CoasterCon at KW. It was all you can eat, included vegetarian meals, and all of it was good! They also provided plenty of donuts and coffee in the station (including lo-cal sugar and real cream, which merits a hearty thank you in my book!) We were on the last train of the night and of course we whooped it up coming into the station. What a surprise it was to get the only reride of the night! I thought Dana was going to kill Joe Schwartz, who was waiting for her seat and ended up getting those last two rides of the night. We also did "the chain" on those last two rides of the night. The Chain..... on the Silver Comet. Um, this is not something that should be done on a LATERAL COASTER! But Susan and I sat in the front row and all I had to do was hold onto Susan's hand since the guy behind me couldn't do it. I think this is something more suited for an out and back, although Susan, Sean and everyone else said it was great. Susan, Joe S. and I went to Niagara Falls. It was *spectacular* and the Maid of the Mist ride was surreal. The magnitude of the falls is overwhelming. We did the Canadian side, and unfortunately we encountered our first experience (as a couple) with racism from the border guard. I let it roll off my back but I could tell Susan was bothered quite a bit by it. She didn't let it ruin her day though. SFDL is the best smelling park in America. The campgrounds give off the unmistakable scent of charcoal and grilling meats! And Darien plaza, a rustic themed area of the park located next to the campground, was my favorite area aesthetically. The next time I go back we will definitely rent an RV! How fun!!! Oddest experience on our trip: hearing Tim Melago scream "This is DA BOMB! This is PHAT!" on Boomerang. Sean explained that he was a member of the GP. Just not something I would have ever expected to hear from Mr. Melago! Why is Superman ROS my new number one? Because it has an incredibly fast lift that doesn't slow down as it goes over the top. Because the first drop is the steepest, scariest and best first drop I've ever encountered and it goes through a great blanket of mist. Because each hill comes packed with airtime - the kind that leave their mark on your thighs! Because the first helix sets a new standard for helixes, and finishes with an arm chopper like I've never seen before! I found myself adopting the movements Superman himself might make were he actually following the flight of the coaster! Because that third hill is ahhhhhhhhh inducing. Because the finale is the most awesome finale I've ever experienced on a steel coaster. Finally, Superman Ride of Steel is my number one because it does what's it's supposed to do better than any other steel coaster I've ridden. The scary thing is, it could be even better. But I'm very very happy with what we have! This is a *serious* ride.

We went to Kennywood on Mem. Day. The Exterminator is quite possibly the funniest coaster I've ridden. It's SO FAST I had no time to take in everything surrounding me! And once the spinning began I started laughing and didn't stop until long after the ride had ended. This is a *perfect* addition to the park.

Going to Kennywood proved to me again why I love this park so much. It is absolutely beautiful - the immaculate grounds, the wonderful art deco, the classic coasters and rides, the inviting midways. It's very nearly a perfect park.

I wish the building housing Exterminator had been constructed with old- fashioned red brick to serve as a better backdrop for Shoot the Chutes. The unsightly cinder blocks do nothing to enhance Lost Kennywood.

SFDL is a very pretty park, but the trees merely serve as an aesthetic with no functional value at all. There is almost no shade anywhere in the park. They need to add some trees that will actually provide relief from the sun, and the queue for Superman desperately needs some kind of overhead screen.

Predator is not an impressive ride. These trailered trains have got to go - they do nothing but shuffle violently throughout the ride. What a beautiful looking coaster at night, though.

It was a pleasure meeting Chris Kearsing, Iain Hendry, Chris Lucht's cool friend Scott (come to more events!) and of course, getting to hang out with all our friends. I will be forever grateful to RRC for all the wonderful friendships I've made.

Oddest experience on our trip, part two: driving along Pennsylvania's I-90 at night. A car pulls up uncomfortably close behind us. I mutter something to Susan about "that idiot behind us" when all of a sudden he pulls up alongside. I'm starting to get a *bit* frightened. Then he turns on his overhead light. It's Sean Flaharty, looking straight at us. Now, I'm truly frightened.

Mark-
who was so worn out from this trip that he isn't riding a coaster for ten whole days