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There are just some things in this world I absolutely love. One of them is The
South. It is just so different, so original, so quintessentially American. For me
the South is a study in very unique contrasts. Their history is full of
romanticism and brutality. The people are absolutely the most hospitable and
friendly I've ever seen, but don't even *think* about wearing a Yankee
Cannonball shirt to the park. Their manners are mild and their tempers are
hot. The landscape is graced by beautiful Magnolia trees while everything else
is covered in Kudzu. The service is slow but the traffic is fast. People in the
South talk slower and drive faster than anywhere else on Earth. There's no
other place like it.
So it was with this sense of wonder that Susan and I arrived at the airport to be
greeted by our hosts, Robert and Sam Ulrich. Being the Southern gentlemen
that they are, BBQ pork sandwiches with all the fixins were waiting for us in
the van. We, being Northerners, gobbled up everything in sight, leaving mere
morsels for poor Peggy Ulrich, who was waiting for us at SFOG's Guest
Relations.
We got to the park and immediately saw the *huge* drilling equipment for their
1999 stand-up coaster, Scorcher. Robert explained that the land the coaster
will be occupying is not the most stable so they are "going deep." I should
also add that the land the coaster will be occupying is quite small, so could
the coaster be going deep as well? We shall see.
Photo courtesy of RRC
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The park was already getting quite a crowd, and after exchanging hellos with
Peggy (Susan got to hand her what little was left for dinner), we headed for the
Plaza. Sure enough, a group of around 10 or 15 RRCers had already
gathered. Chris Lucht, Jerry Dorf, Jim Raimar, Cindy Stout (sporting a brand
new Krunch Kote Queen button), Joe Schwartz, Scott Short and Sean
Flaherty were ready and waiting to ride. A few minutes later Glenn Payne,
Matt Crowther and Betsy Abrams showed up, as did Lynn E. and Kat. Am I
forgetting anybody? |
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The group immediately split into two groups, those who couldn't wait to ride
Batman and those of us who couldn't wait to get on the Cyclone. Chris Lucht
got his inaugural ride in the backseat. He did *not* keep his hands up in the
air! Nor could I even once that evening. He pronounced it "violent" and got
right back in line. Meanwhile I breathed a *huge* sigh of relief - I survived the
ride, and quite well even. My ribs were not a problem as long as I sat on the
right side of the seat. |
Photo courtesy of RRC
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Photo courtesy of American Midway |
Those who've complained about the Cyclone's trains have a legitimate beef.
Anyone who's big would have a hard time fitting in these seats. They are too
small. Scott Short told me his butt never touched the seat once. Luckily I
don't have that problem, but that does not prevent me from straddling the seat
divider once I get *launched* from the Cyclone's 2nd and 4th drops. My God!!!
They are absolutely terrifying! In fact, the Cyclone is truly a scary coaster. It's
a mind trip. You get thrown around on the first drop, then absolutely fear for
your life on the second drop which throws you up and out! It makes you very
reluctant to experience the third - but the third drop is quite tolerable, and it
lulls you into thinking "okay, maybe this isn't so bad." Then comes the fourth
drop, which throws you straight out of your seat and head first into a beam as
the train takes a steep dive. It's the ultimate photo drop, producing some of
the funniest reactions I've ever seen. While I was walking down the exit ramp I
got to see Cindy Stout being thrown from the fourth drop into an *extremely*
violent stand up position. The look on her face was sheer and total terror and I
could not stop laughing for five minutes. It never fails to leave me shaking - it's
the most honest moment on a coaster I can think of. |
Our rides on the Cyclone were the highlight of this trip for me. The Cyclone
kind of peters out at the end, but it's quite a long ride and better than three
fourths of it is an exercise in physical and psychological torture. I absolutely
love this coaster and it's moved up to No. 2 or 3 on my list.
The Great American Scream Machine was not quite as good as it was when
we rode it in May. I felt kind of bad after assuring Joe Schwartz, who told me
he had yet to get a good ride on it, that it was No. 10 on my list. I still love
this ride and think it's the most beautiful nighttime coaster I've ever seen, but
like the TimberWolf, it's inconsistent.
Sean Flaharty and his fellow metal heads soon joined up with us for a ride on
Ninja. What is up with those who knock this ride? It's NOT rough! Even
Robert claimed it was noticeably smooth. I know there are a lot of people on
this newsgroup who turn their noses up at Arrow loopers but I happen to like
going upside down. And Ninja turns me upside down very well.
The Viper is getting higher and higher on my steel list. I loved it the first time I
rode it, but this time I really appreciated what Jeff Tolotti sees in this ride. The
backseat is my favorite - I absolutely love looking down on everyone from the
rear spike. When we rode the Viper on Sunday I held a moist towelette in the
air and screamed "I'm getting MOIST!" at the top of the spike - all in honor of
The Moist One.
Surprisingly, the only coaster that was too rough for me was the Donahlega
Mine Train! As we entered the tunnel the lights were off and BAM!!! my ribs
were bashed into the side of the car. How embarrassing, the only coaster to
hurt me is a mine train.
We rode the old Riverside Carousel, and that area is my favorite place in the
park. The swinging bridge and the long, winding walk up to the carousel just
takes me away to an ethereal place I've never been before.
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The wait for Batman was too long, so we chose to ride Mindbender over and
over. Okay by me, as Mindbender is one great ride. Dave Sandborg told me
he liked Shockwave at SFOT a bit better, but I think Mindbender's brake was
on quite a bit harder than it was in May. Also, like Viper, I think this coaster is
more appreciated with each successive visit. I love the green tracer lights - I
wish they would leave them on longer after the park closes! |
Photo courtesy of Joyrides |
Dana and Dooley Schwartz met up with us, as did Tom Kelley and Curt
Hassinger. Pre-RRR was great fun and thanks to Robert and Peggy Ulrich for
organizing it.
We woke early Saturday morning and Robert and Sam drove us to Krispy
Kreme for some HOT DONUTS NOW. Oh Lordy, these babies are sooooooo
good. I ate six of them before we even left the city limits.
We got to Visionland at about 11:00, missing morning ERT. Upon arriving at
the gate we laughed at the sign that says "No Food, Drink or Weapons
Allowed Inside the Park." Oh, yer no fun. So we finished off the Krispy
Kremes and coffee while Robert put his Uzi back under the seat.
Once inside the park I immediately noticed how thin the crowd was.
Visionland obviously draws big from the water park, which was closed for the
weekend. Still, the park looked great - better looking and more developed than
in May. Mercifully, it wasn't nearly as hot either.
We headed straight for Rampage and took our first ride. It was not awake. I
immediately saw Dave Sandborg and without even saying anything it was clear
that he was disappointed. But ever the diplomat, our Professor would never
rush to judgment.
Photo courtesy of RRC
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There were so many RRCers at this event, which was quite intimate.
Approximately 100 people signed up for the event, and Judy Curtis deserves
many kudos for all her efforts in working with the Visionland staff. I got to see
Mike Saunders again, along with Kim Morgan, Mark Fluharty and Debby (who
are going to "do it" soon), Chris Johnson, Mine Car Buddy, Bill Buckley, Brian
Peters and Rus Ozana, and I met many lurkers who were nice enough to
introduce themselves (hi Chuck Gugliotta!). I also got to meet Fred of LA who
is such a nice guy, and even got to take the last spin of the night on Rampage
with him. I was especially glad to see Jim Westland was able to get away from
work and hook up with us quite bit more than I expected. Jim even got to be
one of the Bumper Car Guys. |
There were many, many lasting impressions I will take from this weekend:
- Rampage ride ops. They were really cool, letting us leave our lap bars up
and even getting into it when we started a cadence that became known as the
"brake dance."
- Cindy's Coronation. Dana made quite a production out of it, passing along a
den mother shirt, scarf and other assorted trinkets, including a den mother
whistle. Tom Kelley and Curt Hassinger drove by and paused long enough to
roll down the window and offer their congratulations, at which point Cindy blew
her whistle at them and motioned them to move along. Her first official act as
den mother.
- The Bumper Car Incident. You've all heard the tale by now. I was 3rd in line
and trust me, we're not exaagerating - it was hilarious.
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Photo courtesy of RRC
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- Eating Ice Cream. This was one of the nicest times I spent at the park.
Susan and I went to the ice cream parlor with Chris Lucht, Joe Schwartz, Tom
and Curt, Cindy Stout, Dave Sandborg, and Glenn Payne. We were later
joined by Mark Fluharty, Chris Johnson, Rus Ozana and two other guys I didn't
know. It was early evening and we were all very relaxed and enjoying the ice
cream (which is excellent!) as well as the day, which as Dave Sandborg said,
seemed like it could last forever. After hugging it for hours, Joe Schwartz
deposited his door prize, a little fuzzy heart with a face, in the ice cream
parlor's window and Mark Fluharty later gave it a little kid who was crying. We
sat around a table in front of the carousel and later took pictures. It was a
wonderful time.
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Photo courtesy of RRC
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- The Swings and the Pirate. We divvied up into two groups on the Pirate -
woodies and steelies. "CCI!!!........ B&M!!!!" And the Swings were so incredibly
fast.
- Dana the Devil. On our first bumper car ride I was headed straight for
Dooley's car when I noticed behind Dana sneaking in from behind. She had
this *look* on her face - her eyes were wide open and her teeth were gritting -
she looked just like this... (>:-O) Dooley had no idea she was there and it was
the most devilishly funny face I've ever seen a grown woman make.
- Cindy's Hurls. Speaking of faces, our new Den Mother makes the funniest
hurl face I've ever seen. Apparently she and her sister practiced it quite a bit
because she has it down to a science! Cindy also totally cracked us up when
we rode behind her on Rampage. As we entered that wild and wooly finale,
Cindy began *wildly* flailing about in an exaggerated this-way-and-that-way
fashion, flinging herself every which way with every lateral turn. It was the
funniest expression of all that Rampage delivers.
- The Porno Pole. Sean Flaherty, Chris Lucht, Mark Fluharty and I got an
incredibly long and wild ride going on the spinning ferris wheel. Mark could
only take so much and had to get off, but the three of us went absolutely crazy
on it. The pole felt sticky and Sean wondered where it had been before, so we
dubbed it the Porno Pole. We spun so hard and so fast that the car actually
swung *out and in* as well as around and around! Those who watched it from
below seemed....... well to tell you the truth they seemed disgusted!
- Bad behavior by RRCers. There were two guys, Chris Brest and Jim Teuferk,
who were ejected from Rampage for cheating in line. After the train was
loaded the ride ops released the lap bars, made everyone get out and back in
line, then marched these two in front of everyone and ejected them from the
ride. They were roundly booed by everyone. One of them also kept unbuckling
his seatbelt. I also heard of other unseemly, rude behavior by some other
people, including another RRCer who I won't mention since I didn't see him do
it. But you guys should really get your act together.
- Headache. Ugh. The Cyclone must have shook me up pretty good on
Friday because I was fighting a headache all day. Fortunately I didn't lose the
battle until ERT - at which time I also lost my voice!
- The Spill. After we got our dinner all the guys sitting on the other side of our
table sat down before anyone from our side had been seated and
WHOOPS!!!!!! I really wanted to laugh my head off but poor Dave Sandborg
had such a mess to clean up we all helped out. Next time, I'm laughing!
- Silly Rampage Rides. The chain, which looked so fun but I couldn't risk it.
The high five ride, which sent Dave Sandborg into a fit of laughter. Sean and
Mark Fluharty turned around and watched Dave and I during an entire ride.
You have no idea how bizarre it is to have someone 3 feet in front of you
watching you scream through a coaster ride!
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Photo courtesy of The American Midway |
- Cindy's Launch. Cindy Stout's launch from the GA Cyclone will burn in my
memory all winter long. It really was amazing to see, and the photo captured
her total loss of dignity.
- Dave's First Time at SFOG. I'm so glad I got to see Chris Lucht and Dave
Sandborg enjoying this park for the first time. It was great riding in front of
Dave during his first ride on the GA Cyclone. Immediate after getting off he
said "Wow, it's even better than the original." I think that pretty much sums it
up, which Dave is so good at doing.
- The food of the South. We ate breakfast biscuits at Mrs. Winners, Krispy
Kremes, and I ate just about *everything* at the Varsity (let's see: a BBQ pork
sandwich, grilled pimento cheese, chili dog, a frosted orange and a fried peach
pie).
Well, you can tell I had an absolutely fantastic time this weekend. Susan
thought everyone she met was wonderful, and I was very impressed with the
way so many people took the time to speak to her. Cindy called her a closet
enthusiast but we both have a really great time at every park we visit, not just
me. It's so nice to be able to ride with other friends and not have to worry if
she's having a good time without me - she is. She was quite surprised to see
so many people do her "Hershey pretzel dance."
A very very special thanks to Robert, Sam and Peggy Ulrich for all your
kindness and hospitality. Enough said before I get blubbery.
I would just like to end by saying these coaster events I've attended this year
have really impacted my life. You people are so much fun, and that's really
what this passion of ours is all about. You make having fun an art form.
Mark
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