Thrill_Biscuit

That was Western Row road, east of Mason-Montgomery. My dad did the same thing. We called it "roller coaster road". The effect was more dramatic when you weren't looking forward!

^^^"It was the best of times; it was the best of times..." That was a great post, 'Chase. At least next time you don't have to cross the road to get to Chick-Fil-A... They built a nifty, new McDonald's across the road from the old one, which looks like it's going to get the ol' steam shovel.

I've heard Mr. Helbig rattle off Diamondback's stats as though he can do it in his sleep. A most excellent Public Relations Area Manager, he.

LOL for the AE choo-choo train trick! Priceless! Great pics of the ol' campground. I never went there, so these are the first pics I've seen showing what it looked like. Very nice!

I've been saying since 2007 that the music on International Street needs to be more 'international'. That AC/Jazz they play ruins the fountain/tower experience for me now.

My family has this tradition that started on GE Day in 1980. That year, my family moved back to Mason after living in suburban Detroit for 7 years. We all piled in to my uncle's station wagon and took the short trip up Western Row (then a rural, hilly road from which you could see the Eiffel Tower for miles). When we finally parked, we got out and made our way toward the front gate. In my geeky, über-fanboy exuberance, I squealed loudly: "Look at the size of that Kings Island Tower!" ...to which my cooler, older brother, in perfect unison with my equally cool older cousins immediately replied: "Eric, will you shut up!?!" So now, everytime we cross the parking lot, every year since, it has been a tradition (and my wife, nieces and nephew play along gladly) to count to three and say "Look at the size of that Kings Island Tower!" when we get close to the gate. Dumb? Yes, but some rituals are just too hard to let go.

Very nice. Great detail on the Eiffel Tower, and proper use of color on the DB supports!

Nice! Fast-paced, too. Excellent and efficient use of 6 minutes to get in so much information in an engaging and entertaining way! Thanks!

I had a dream that I could walk out my back patio door onto the Rivertown pathway. Then there was this bizarre, mysterious new ride called the "Blue Top," behind Vortex, which I waited in line for hours, but woke up before I could ride it.

Great shots, Nemo!

For almost 5 years, this has been my favorite site because of the level, friendly tone you all maintain (and my love of KI, of course). Seriously, I've actually learned some 'netiquette' via this site, and it has helped shape how I write/talk to others on the web. Great post, violakat03!

That would indeed be the break run .

I had a Zen ride on Vortex on opening day, 2006, and the coaster seemed to beat the heck out of me... I thought I had finally gotten too old for coasters, or that Vortex was just rough because I was the only one on the train. Turns out that I was so excited about opening day that I forgot to get enough rest the night before. Every time I ride Delirium is a different experience, not just because I wind up on different seats, but because of where I decide to focus my attention during the ride. Once in 2004, on a perfect spring day, I "locked" on to the flashy "hammer of strength" game, and it suddenly felt like Delirium was standing still, and the park was swinging around me (that's a cool effect if you can 'hold' it).

Is there a KICentral card? 'Cause I'd be a card-carryin' member!

No. I keep dreaming that I park my truck, walk with huge crowds all the way up to the front gate, only to be reminded by some guy in a nice business suit that it is off-season, at which time, suddenly, all the leaves disappear from the trees and the temperature drops 60°.

I miss Der Spinnen Keggers, Zodiac and the Giant Slide. As for a backwards train on DB? I think it would be cool to watch the splashdown from that angle!

It doesn't seem that long ago that we were all speculating on what the thing was going to be called, much less what it was going to be. Now it has taken its dominant place on the KI skyline, and seeing it as I pass the park on Western Row/Columbia Road never gets old!

He went into the future and took this picture on 12-23-2009? Impressive! I wondered that myself. It could just as well be some scheduled refurbishment, though.

It looks like it's going to be another International Street Marathon! And this time the swell of humanity shall flow south-southeasterly, as opposed to the northeasterly Firehawk marathons of the last couple seasons.

Like a comics section, featuring some of your hilarious cartoons...

This is very sad. It sounds like language that their lawyers might have instructed them to use. How can any amount of money be any consolation for such a tragic loss?

As the coiner, I hereby second your motion!

That spiral staircase almost makes me hope I get a ride that stops in the MCBR. No, seriously, though, this coaster is lookin' mean!

I enjoy this view from the summit of 'Mt. Helbig'. Must've been a long hike from base camp! Great picture!

"What is "Ferris Wheel," Alex. Noo. Soory!