Made it out to GA yesterday for the next-to-last weekend of Fright Fest. The weather was predicted to be bad..rain, windy. The REALLY bad rain held off until evening, but there were sprinkles and showers throughout the day...some brief, some prolonged. I got my oil changed and new wiper blades installed before I headed out. Good thing I did the latter, because they sure came in quite handy on the trip home.

Hardly anyone in the parking lot. Good omen, as it was already a couple minutes after ten when I pulled in. Went to the left rope drop as always and headed toward El Toro.

The bad news (as far as rides go..more on the OTHER bad news later.): I only got on SIX rides

It was a fantastic riding day. Yes, I only went on six rides, but I blew all my personal "records" out of the water (and there was plenty of that!)

I got the first ride of the day on El Toro. After my 22nd consecutive ride without leaving the station, I took a bathroom break and called a friend to tell her how it was going. Back into the station and rode some more. After my 42nd ride, the on-coming passengers had the NERVE, the unmitigated GALL, the CHUTZPAH, the COJONES(appropriate)...to fill the train so I couldn't reride. Back around for more, and the next 8 made it a nice even 50. I wrapped that El Toro session around 2:20. So I spent the better part of close to 4 hours on my Bull.

Then I went over to the Boardwalk and did Elvira twice. Wait, that came out wrong. Let me try again.

I walked over to the Boardwalk and RODE Elvira twice. Wait, that could be interpreted badly, too.

I sat on Elvira and she moved me every which way but loose...No, this just isn't working.

I participated twice in the ride simulator known as Elvira's SUPERSTITION! There..that's better..and cleaner. It's still my favorite simulator attraction.

There was still virtually nobody in the park. I went out to my car to eat my baloney sandwiches and drink my iced tea. It was a good break, because I was on such a high after those 50 rides.

Came back in the park and headed to Nitro. Ended up with a total of 20 rides, although I wasn't able to re-ride every time. The heaviest shower of the day..so far..was pelting my face and glasses. It was running great, but it was painful.

I only took one ride each on Blackbeard and Rolling Thunder. Three on Batman. No Dark Knight, need I say? Got three night rides on Toro. The ride is amazing anytime, but in the dark on a wet track? It's on another planet.

So I "broke all my own records:"

Most rides on one coaster, one day..53
Most rides on one steel coaster, one day..20
Most individual rides taken, one day...80
Most consecutive rides without leaving station..22.

I headed over to the 6:15 initial performance of Dead Man's Party. An announcement was made that the show was cancelled due to weather..as was the "Awakening" ceremony. It wasn't raining that hard at that point. That was when I took my night rides on Toro, and came back for the Wheel Of Fright.

You guys may recall I won my '09 Season Pass by successfully conquering the Wheel last year. I actually had a shot again. I consciously avoiding answering the first question, remembering it was the third (i.e., me) that won the season pass last year. However, last night's crowd was sparse and not into it, so the emcees started asking questions that had little to do with Six Flags trivia. Who was Bugs Bunny's girlfriend? How many kids do Jon and Kate have? The third question, the one I would have wanted to answer, stumped me: What is Marvin The Martian's dog's name? I answered the fourth, and got invited up. Signed the waiver. But because they chose five people and did not announce any potential prizes, I had no idea what I'd potentially have a shot at. It became a moot point. The first two contestants won a front-of-line pass for last night and a day pass for 2010, respectively. The blonde picked before me was in the process of eating a coupla worms when the downpour came. The show was stopped, and I don't know what happened to her..everyone ran for shelter. I was told if I came back for the 8:30 gig, I'd automatically be eligible to participate. So I wandered around for a while, made a coupla phone calls, and ducked in and out of shelter. I went by Elvira again, but it appeared 2/3 of the people in the park had the same idea. Everything else, including Halloween stuff, was shut due to what was was the worst storm I've ever been caught in at that park. Thunder, lightning, and torrential rain. I holed up by the men's room nears Superman with a few others. When it let up a little, I went back over by the Wheel of Fright, but alas, the 8:30 show would never come to pass. All performances of DMP were cancelled, so I may not see it this year, unless I go on Halloween.

Speaking of Halloween, didn't feel like it because of the washout. Also wasn't much in the way of decorations. Didn't do any of the "haunted" attractions, and the Terror Trails? Sorry, I don't do upcharge, even 5 bucks.

I split about 8:50. Considering the still-awful weather and the fact I made a coupla stops, I made good time and was home at 10:30. That's when I discovered the worst news of the day: I had lost my billfold, which contained no money or my driver's licence, but had my ATM card, a credit card, Social Security card, AAA card, and my 2010 Cedar Fair Pass, among other things. I've taken care of the ATM and credit cards already, and will work on the others. But I felt so (bleeping) stupid! I must have lost it early in the day on Toro..just like I did three years ago. In preparing to enter the park, I guess I didn't realize it was in my pocket. I had my licence, SF pass, money and car key in my pouch. Last time I was lucky..it was found intact, and I drove back down the next day to get it. No such luck this time. I already got a call from GA that it was not found. If it IS found, I think it'll be drenched beyond salvation. Another lesson learned, I guess..but I shouldn't have to learn it twice.

Great start...bad finish.

Thanks for reading, folks.

Mike

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