World's Steepest Rollercoaster! World's Steepest Rollercoaster!

When my hubby took on the Top Thrill Dragster over at Cedar Point two years ago, I thought THAT was the most incredible, mind-boggling, "over the top" (pun fittingly perfect) coaster I'd ever seen.  Like a giant vertical zipper in the sky.  But check out this one in Japan: the "Takabisha" at Fuji-Q Highland amusement park.

Thanks to Rachel Maddow for bringing us not only thoughtful political commentary every night on MSNBC, but video of a front-seat-view rollercoaster ride that actually aged me about five years as I watched it from my office chair.

Sunday on the Blog with Photos!

For my Dad's 86th birthday (yesterday, actually), we're taking him to the racetrack today to play the ponies. In honor of this event, I give you a photo taken at Cedar Point, at the very start of my "Road Trip". It's a horserace carousel that runs at a clip!

Happy Birthday, Daddy! Many more!

Sunday on the Blog with Photos!

Prior to our old time radio show performance today (Ben and I run a radio troupe and perform at my Dad's retirement home), someone asked me if I'd been to Cedar Point for my Roadtrip.

"It was our first park!" said Ben, with a sense of pride and accomplishment. It's Ben's childhood park, you see, full of wonder and excitement even after all these years.

Above photo is us on the swing ride at Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH. It was during this very ride that we collectively realized that swing rides are no longer on our roster of things that bring merriment. Things that bring sweaty upper lips and an uneasy queasy feeling, yes. But the merriment, not so much. Although the photos belies that fact.

Gotta admit, it's a cool photo, like we had a paid photographer on hand, riding along side us in a small helicopter or something.

Ben's got extra long arms -- and good aim.

"How much is that doggie-shaped candle?"

I know. It totally obliterates the rhythm of the classic little ditty by Doris Day, so I apologize most emphatically. But I just felt the need to share a great photo I took at Cedar Point last year. Now, why oh why did I visit such a large, thriving park as Cedar Point, you might ask? Because it's still vintage, it holds its history near and dear, and it has cool, kooky little nooks to explore, like the candle-making shoppe.

These canine cuties were made in-house and they sat on the shelf, ready to go to a good home. And I would've rescued one, but a wax doggie left in the summer heat inside your car is candle cruelty.

Master of all you survey...

Most amusement parks have some sort of ride that allows you to get the proverbial bird's eye view of the environs, but none come close, to me at least, as the sky ride. They're definitely a vanishing breed; Disneyland removed theirs years ago, much to my chagrin. The old "depot" in Fantasyland remained for a long time after the ride was plucked, an empty shack that always drew curious kids, wondering what it was, what kind of magic hid behind its wilting Tyrolean exterior.

The sky ride was first introduced at the Chicago World's Fair - Century of Progress in 1933. Called the aerial tramway (or the "Star Trek"-ian transporter bridge), it carried 4.5 million riders before it was demolished. Imagine the fair goers, gliding above the pavilions in rocket-shaped cars (which carried 36 people each! Much different from the usual gondola ride!), taking in all the space age newness!

While I've been "Cotton Candying", I've luckily encountered a number of sky rides and they always elicit the same response from me: I run to them, giddy with the expectation of surveying the park, doing some recon from up, up above.

Pictured is yours truly on Cedar Point's sky ride. My hubby informs me the ride used to be longer, but was shortened to bring in a new tangle of roller coasters.

I'm grateful the park decided to keep what they have. The gentle ride acclimates you to the energy of the park below and is a great way to start your Cedar Point day.

"Annnnnnd..... THEY'RE OFF!"

Posting this a few days after the fact, but posting none the less: in honor of the Kentucky Derby, which was three days ago, here's a horse racing ride I discovered at Cedar Point. Quite unique version of a merry-go-round, but the horses really whirrrr around, picking up a swirl of speed!

Chick-a-chick-a-chick-fil-a!

One of the simple pleasures of Cotton Candying is the food. Many parks I've visited are known for their food, or for a particular foodstuff. DelGrosso's has amazing pizza and baked beans, and a rainbow of unique ice cream flavors, Idlewild has kickin' fried dough, and our dearly departed Kiddieland was known for their free Pepsi products.

Cedar Point turned me on to Chick-fil-A.

I have flittering dreams about Chick-fil-A. The chicken, always juicy and flavorful, the salads unique and tasty (for a fast food salad, truly the best I've ever had), the shakes, well, I could sing an aria, an ode to the peach shake (pictured here with yours truly at the Chick-fil-A in Erie, PA, located near Waldameer).

I've learned that in the not-too-distant future, the Chick-fil-A powers that be will drop down and deposit a franchise in the Chicago area. Oh, I'll be there, camped out with a citronella candle and a Snuggie, waiting in quiet contemplation for the doors to open and for the angels to greet me as I put in my order and dive into the wonder of the Fil-A.

Sunday on the Blog with Photos! -- special Monday edition.

On the very first leg of the Roadtrip, we stopped by Cedar Point, Ben's childhood park. It's a mammoth undertaking to get from A to B in this sprawling place, but what makes it easier is spending some "set yourself down" time in the Pioneer Village portion. Check out my candle-dipping skills. My candle was all yellow to orange to red, sort of Jefferson Starshippy.

Sunday on the Blog with Photos!!

Goaty goaty goat! It's almost Spring and we've just Sprung Ahead, so here's a little harbinger of the upcoming season: a kid at the Cedar Point petting zoo inside the peaceful Frontier Trail.

Sunday on the Blog with Photos!

As a teen, when I rode a swing chair ride I'd always play the entire version of the Beatles' "Flying" in my head. There are no lyrics to speak of really, just "la"s and many of them. It might not be one of the Fab Four's greatest musical achievements, but the next time you're flying through space on one of these puppies, try adding it as your mental soundtrack.

Pictured above is Cedar Point's Wave Swinger, rated on the park's site as a "moderate thrill" ride. It left me more than moderately dizzy. But the detail painting is superb, you gotta admit.