silver2005

Unfortunately, all those days of upper 90s and low 100s is catching up with my medical condition so I'm using my last day as a strict R&R day, so it appears I'm scrapping Marvel Cave. I still feel good about getting in everything else I wanted. I don't know how likely it is I will come back to Branson. I am pretty ready to go back to Cincy though.

I may wait until I get back to Cincy to do a full SDC TR.

I feel it may be one of those instances where they weren't going to tear it down unless they have plans for the area, much in the same way when they took seemingly forever to tear down the coaster pre-Banshee build. I think there's a good chance something may be happening in that area, I'd give it at least a coin flip of a chance. Which also now makes me worried about Bat...

So I got so many things done today with a long day that I am only doing a partial day tomorrow at SDC. I'm doing Marvel Cave early tomorrow and Flooded Mine didn't open today, but it had staff out front so I'm kinda hopeful. It's also cuz I have a 9.5 hour drive back to Cincy.

As for crowds, I've only used Trailblazer a handful of times. Anything with even a moderate capacity has been walk on.

Outlaw Run is my #2 RMC behind SteVe.

Currently having a solid cheese steak by Powder Keg for something a little different. I think overall SDC will end up being my 2nd favorite park. Something about Dolly's presence in PF plus I kind of prefer Dollywood's ride line up and location and less hilly pathing.

Dollywood Express has the cooler engines in that they are from a real railroad. SDC has the better overall train experience though. There's also a massive construction area between Powder Keg and Wildfire involving an oil rig structure and a LOT of footers.

SDC coaster thoughts- Wildfire- love the placement on the hill, nice sense of scale, a bit rattly though Powder Keg- nice launch, also a little rattly with weird seats and restraints, very fun Outlaw Run- my favorite coaster in the park, very good for an early RMC Fire in the Hole- love Blazing Fury, love this too Time Traveler- like they didn't let it spin too crazy, very smooth Thunderation- my favorite mine train, great drops and terrain, shame it's leaving

So apparently the way things lined up for me at SDC, they're open until 10 pm both days (plus midnight on Saturday) for Summer Celebration, so I get night rides tonight.

For the SOB station, isn't the structure steel? I think the only wood is the remaining track. The rest is steel and concrete, right? Also, aside from the SOB fan boys, I don't think anyone would raise an eyebrow if mother nature put it out of its misery.

Branson observation- its like you put together the cheesiness of Pigeon Forge with the traffic in Gatlinburg. Blah. At least the views are nice. Heading for the landing this evening (boy do people take it slow on the main strip). And- I have Trailblazer for tomorrow at SDC. Going to focus on Marvel Cave and non-rides on Friday (Friday may only be a partial day due to weather).

So weather has been an issue the entire time my days at Branson have been on the 7 day. I'm going Thursday and Friday to SDC, I have Trailblazer for Thursday. Luckily, Thursday now looks fantastic compared to the death heat I've had at St Louis and KC. Friday looks rainy, so I may do like a half day at SDC then. This park is one I have very high expectations for. My 2 current favorite parks are Dollywood and Busch Gardens Williamsburg so I have a bit of a high bar in Branson. Also, my route will be....odd. I chose way in advance that Thunderation is my choice for my 200th as a bunch of my past milestones have been more modern coasters and I have the chance to add a soon-to-be-removed Arrow mine train for a pretty big milestone. Unfortunately, its at the front, so I'm getting quite a walk in right out of the gate.

The museum seems kinda new as there are fleeing bits of history scattered throughout as well as a section on jazz theory 101 (like the 101 of 101). Some of the artists they focused on was Bird, Satchmo, Ella, Duke and a little bit of Miles Davis. They have a hall of fame-esque sidewalk out front with a bunch of the usual suspects etched in the sidewalk.

Had a short but fruitful cruise around KC. The American Jazz Museum, while not on par with the R&RHOF, was pretty decent. Also got to pay homage to one of my favorite saxophonists in Charlie Parker (he's from KC and has a statue close to the museum). Then went to the WWI memorial as it sits on a hill overlooking downtown and kinda saw all the iconic buildings in one go. Topped it off with KC style BBQ. So St Louis style uses grilled meats and uses a thinner, sweeter sauce. KC's slow cooks and has a more thicker sauce, kind of BBQ meets ketchup. I would say I prefer St Louis' sauce and KC's meat. The place I went to was playing blues through the restaurant. Name me a better combo than BBQ and Mannish Boy. Onto Branson. Speaking of which, I've been to Gatlinburg. Does Branson have the same kind of traffic as Gatlinburg at all, both in the town and driving there from KC?