Pretty Much a Continuation of my Last Post.

Mom said, "It always rains on Good Friday." Now, if you look at that logically, you can blow a big hole in that statement because it's impossible to be raining everywhere in the world on one day, even if it's just a small smattering of rain. But it IS odd that most Good Fridays do have at least a soupcon of precipitation.

Today's no exception. And sadly, it's also not the exception of most of this week's weather, with the exception of yesterday which was divinely sunny. I visited my Dad at the Arms and we colored and decorated Easter eggs. I walked the dog. No, we didn't walk, we scampered. And eventually broke into a full-out trot.

But today is ultra-gloomy and dank, probably the worst day of the whole week weather-wise. Maybe that's because it's also Good Friday, which is a somber, contemplative day. But, as positive as I try to be, I must also be realistic.

This. weather. sucks.

I've had several park trips get dampened by rain. Let's see: Nelis' Dutch Village, Storybook Gardens, Waldameer, Conneaut Lake (2nd visit), Santa Cruz Boardwalk, Santa Monica Pier. But I still did manage to enjoy our time there and get some good writing done. So it's not all bad.

But it could be a whole lot better right now.

Sunday on the Blog with Photos!

Spring has sprung today and makes its presence known with cascades of rain and pelts of hail. During my Roadtrip I've had a number of visits to parks that would, by most people, have been considered a wash out due to the weather. But no fear; any vintage park will undoubtedly have its share of activities and rides that face inclement weather and say, "Just TRY messing around with MY fun. Can't do it. No sir. Sucker..."

For instance, a dark ride or funhouse is a perfect respite from the storm. Case in point: the Pirate's Cove funhouse at Erie, PA's Waldameer Park.

Sunday on the Blog with Photos!

Boo, scarey! Steel yourself against the terror and mayhem of the fun house at Waldameer Park. I snapped this photo just as Ben emerged from the structure; his life will never be the same.

I usually send Ben into fun hosues and spook houses as my recon man since I am truly the biggest sissy when it comes to haunted hosues and their ilk. Not actual haunted houses; those I dig. I'm talking about the kinds at amusement parks that have ghosts, goblins, aliens and other crazy stuff jumping out at you. That I don't dig.

And, no, eventhough Ben insisted this fun house was not scarey, I still didn't go in. Yes, that's how lame I can be.

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.

Don't let it dampen your fun.

The day we visited Erie's Waldameer Park, it rained, a cold, slippery rain that wouldn't let up. Or maybe it did let up, but it was damp and murky so it felt as if it kept raining microscopic drops just to mess with you. But it didn't dampen our day. We took tons of pictures from the gliding ride that takes you up above the treetops, allowing you a great view of the rides beneath. My knees were chilly and pink, but I wouldn't let that dampen my fun. This was the last stop on the first leg of the Cotton Candy Roadtrip, dang it, and I wasn't about to let a little moisture get the best of me.

Ducked into the funhouse, went shopping, but still the rain drizzled down -- but kids kept enjoying themselves. Ben and I shared some Dippin' Dots, those hyperfrozen dots of ice cream that still taste like ice cream through the magic of cryogenics.

So it's rainy today. But it doesn't dampen your spirit unless you let it.

Little April Fools...

Well, okay, not technically April because this photo was taken in August at Waldameer Park. And there's a clown in the photo, as opposed to something you'd recognize as a full-out fool. Or even foolish-type person.

But this will do for today. And I'll be sending you all your $20,000 checks really soon for checking out my blog!

Wally Points. I like it!

Rarely will I find amusement park news that's really relevant to my book or that's actually groundbreaking. But this little missive about Erie PA's Waldameer is quite intriguing:

Waldameer going cashless (Erie, PA, USA)
Waldameer patrons won't need a dime to visit the Erie, Penn., amusement park this year, but they will need Wally Points. Waldameer has announced that the park is going completely cashless.

Instead of the green stuff, park guests will load a plastic card or wristband with Wally Points, which are named after the park mascot Wally Bear. The points will cost $1 each. Waldameer owner Paul Nelson told the Erie Times-News that the move will save money by giving the business tighter control over its cash.

In some ways Disney parks are cashless -- if you opt for the Dining Plan and put your souvenir purchases on your Disney rewards card. So this isn't really a huge item, but yet it is when you consider this is a smaller, vintage park. First one that I know of to take this on. I say, bully for them! Especially with the water park right on the premises, it'll make it a lot easier for waterlogged kiddies to go from the floating innertubes straight to the rollercoasters, buy some popcorn and a Coke, all without pulling soggy dollars out of their shorts.

Sunday on the Blog with Photos!

I used to collect these adorable little ceramic figurines back when I was a sprout. Waldameer Park is one of the only places I've found with an extensive collection Hagen-Renaker. As our beaglette Ivy is also reminiscent of the venerable Jack Russell terrier, I scooped one up.

Enjoy the array.