Earlier this year, we took a family vacation to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA. Nothing is more disappointing for a roller coaster enthusiast than to spend three days in a park with some pretty amazing rides and head home having only gotten on Grover's Alpine Express. I rode it several times, but still. It's no Alpengeist or Loch Ness Monster.
So if you have a few hours without kids and happen to be less than 30 miles from Knoebels Amusement Resort, what's a girl to do but take advantage of a chance to ride the park's two wooden roller coasters.
The first coaster we rode was Twister, a replica of a 1965 coaster (Mister Twister), found at Elitch Gardens in Denver, CO. This is far from my favorite roller coaster, though I do enjoy the double lift hill (a modification from the original design) and the view from the top - just before the 90-foot drop. Overall, the track overs roughly 3,900 feet and reaches speeds approaching 60 mph. And while that sounds like a great ride, it's one of the most jarring and uncomfortable two or so minutes I think I have ever had on a roller coaster.
On the other hand, the Phoenix is probably one of the best wooden coasters I've ridden. This coaster was originally built in 1947 at the now defunct Playland Park in San Antonio, TX and was subsequently moved to Knoebels in 1984. The ride is a little slower than the Twister and it's first drop is not quite as high, but it's a much smoother ride and it offers brief moments of weightlessness which are pretty cool!
Interestingly, both roller coasters have just a 42" height requirement which means that Cathy would be able to ride this year. But, I just can't imagine putting her on either ride.
After a not so great taco and a game of miniature golf that I lost by one stroke after a very badly played 18th hole, we rode the Scenic Skyride - a 14 (very long) minute ride up and down a mountain. Heights and I have never been good friends and this ride is way too far off the ground for my comfort. With a death-grip on the safety bar, I survived... but if I never get on this ride again, it would still be too soon.
After this (and a brief rain delay) we made it back to the car and drove home.
Just as we were about to open the door to the house, Matt asked Nana if they could call us and see when we'd be home, so we were clearly missed. Matt and Cathy were relatively well behaved and both grandparents seemed to genuinely enjoy their time with the kids.
Overall, I'd call the weekend a success.
Perhaps this means it's time to start planning for next year's race. Now if Warrior Dash could just announce it's Pennsylvania dates and locations, I'd get right on that!
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