#coaster

Just last night I found out something rather sad but not entirely unsurprising. Apparently the nearest large amusement park to me will be closing forever at the end of the year, one where I conquered my fear of roller coasters and spent lots of time. This park is the only major amusement park in ...

As the days go by, the upcoming Sunday (November the 10th) when I will hopefully be walking the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is drawing ever closer. About a week ago I received a packet in the mail from the organizer of the event. This contained a parking pass, a numbered tag and a t-shirt with a…

Then came a day when it all changed. I was in my mid-20's when another friend of my mom's invited the two of us to join her and her family at a local amusement park. The company she worked for at the time had their company picnic there, and she could bring several guests. I…

For the next 20 years I would remain afraid of most roller coasters, and deathly afraid of any that went upside down. There were a couple of times when I managed to gather up my courage and ride one, like the time my cousin and I rode the Rebel Yell. It looked very imposing and…

When I was five years old my mom took me out of school for a week so we could go down to Florida to stay with her best friend. During this time her friend would take us to all sorts of local attractions, including Busch Gardens, the now defunct Cypress Gardens, Circus World (also defunct),…

This weekend I will be taking my final roller coaster trip of the season. The roller coaster club of which I am a long time member is having its annual event at Kings Dominion near Richmond, Virginia. I've not been to that park in several years so I thought it a good time to plan…