Labor Day suicide run, with pics

[touchdown62]

Ok, before you all go ape(stuff) on me, I wasn't trying to kill myself. That's just my term for making a one-day trip to and from Kings Island from Muncie.

Pics coming in follow-up post.

Allrightythen. I came solo this time. Everyone I knew had to work. On Labor Day. Huh. Really. National holiday to celebrate the working person, and everyone had to work. As a result, this is going to be one of my shorter TRs, since I had one goal in mind, and that was to double my ride total on Diamondback for the season, so guess where I went first...

The bathroom.

After a little over 2 hours in the car, you would do the same thing. Plus, I just love those air blades.

Got by the photo hogs inside the front gate. A remarkably easy feat when you're by yourself. They have no interest in singles.

THEN it was off to Diamondback. What a sexy (female dog). I was just going to marathon the ride all day long. Well, it was still early in the morning by my standards (10:30), so the body wasn't ready for a marathon. More like a 5K. Got 5 rides in about an hour and a half. Got a little woozy. Went to visit my old buddy The Beast. Rode in 1-2. Didn't want to wait for very front row. The Beast is such an amazing ride, it'll always by #1 in my heart, even though I'm currently enamored with Diamondback. The Beast will always be there, ready to kick my ass for dating someone else, and I'll take it, because I know I deserve it.

I was still recovering from 5 DB rides and getting a little peckish, so I started heading from Rivertown to Outer Hanks. On the way, I stopped by total mayhem and carnage on a grand scale. I was no longer hungry. The Skyline chili spaghetti competition was about to start. Humble Bob Shoudt, Joey Chestnut, Pat Bertoletti, Sonya Thomas, Halloween Haunt's very own Grim Reaper, and others stuffed their craw full of the once-tempting Skyline chili spaghetti (with mountains of cheese of course) for a full 10 minutes. Pictures to come when I get them put into my just-repaired computer. Humble Bob edged Joey Chestnut by a few shavings of cheddar cheese to defend his crown. Oh yea, he ate a little over 13.5 pounds of the stuff in 10 minutes.

After lunch, it was time for more rides on Diamondback. Got 5 more in. Also got my first-ever ride in the front row. Sky was threatening rain, so I wore my jacket. The wind in the front row was so intense, I was actually worried my jacket would start tearing. What a rush, though.

Took another break after the second set of 5 rides and got some ice cream from Action Zone. Sorry all you blueberry ice cream lovers. I happen to like the classic chocolate/vanilla twist cones. Also took in a Down Home Country show in the FestHaus while I enjoyed my ice cream. I'm not a big fan of country music, but I do like some of the classics, which they highlight in the show. I am impressed with the level of talent of the performers this year, in all shows, not just DHC.

Time was now 5:30, so had 2.5 more hours to get my 5 rides in, more if I felt like it. Had my ride total at 13 at about 6:30 and back in line again. I was first in line to get a row assignment from Captain Nemo when everyone heard thunder. Crap. Pulled up radar. Small cell. Should be out quickly. Talked with Gabriel for a bit until it started raining, and he let everyone still in the queue under the roof of the platform. Got in row 16. Figured it would be easier that way. Go to the very end and get out of the way of others trying to stay dry. 30 minutes or so passed, and the phone call we waited for came. The siren went off, and we were ready to roll again. It was raining lightly, but they got the ride going again. I was going to be the 3rd train out. I have my 15 rides easy. Gates open. I start getting comfortable in row 16. Skies open up. Ride shuts down again. Crap. Get the other 2 trains emptied. Pouring down rain. Rain lets up. It's about 7:20. Thunder again. Crap. 7:40. More thunder. Double crap. There goes my 15 rides. Probably won't get the ride going again. Park closes at 8. It's still dry under here. I think I'll just wait. 7:50, and the phone rings. Siren goes off. WOO HOO!!! I can still get my 2 rides in. Ride in row 16. Have my hat in my left hand. I'm in the left seat. We hit the splashdown, but I didn't feel any water. Then I remember my hat. Soaked. Oh well, I still have 3 minutes to get back in the queue. Make it with like 90 seconds to spare, until the ride supervisor said he was keeping the line open for a few more minutes. That's ok. Even though I wasn't on the last ride of the day, I did get on the red train's last ride. Row 16 again. Complete nirvana. I accomplished my goal of 15 rides. That also set a personal one-day, single-ride record for me. 15 rides on a single coaster in one day.

Pics coming soon.

Edit: Wow, hey. I just updated my sig, and realized that last-minute ride on DB made it a 2009 season total of 100 rides at the park. Nice.

[touchdown62]

And now for the pics...

The emcee. You may recognize him from the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog eating contest on July 4. He does this for a living.

Look at all that chili spaghetti in front of him.

Some of the contestants, waiting to be introduced.

The man who brought the mustard belt back to America... Joey Chestnut

Contestants getting ready to jam their faces full of chili spaghetti. The Grim Reaper (Ryan perhaps???) ready to take the title back to the Underworld.

The judges getting ready with their tally boards.

Let the carnage... BEGIN!

Creepy dancing Skyline mascot.

Dear God in Heaven... 4 people with 11 pounds of chili spaghetti AND COUNTING!!!

DON Helbig!!! (lower right corner) Oh yeah, Scooby too.

Really, I didn't know Don was standing there. Just a nice surprise.

Scooby giving his props to the gluttons, errr, I mean competitors, all the while keeping an eye on the Grim Reaper.

OOOOOooooOOOOOOoooooo Halloween Haunt must be close.

More Haunt props in place.

Vampire bats in Festhaus.

In case you can't see it... it's a big-a$$ spider in Festhaus.

Yes, everyone is DYING to get in!!!

[standbyme]

Nice trip report...congrats on getting 15 rides in!

(By the way, I can never see Muncie without thinking of David Letterman when he was back on NBC..."And now from the home office in Muncie Indiana".)

[DaveStroem]

Glad you had a good day at KI and got your 15 rides in. I must say however that I have you beat. 80 laps on Gemini and a total of 92 coaster laps in 1 day. I could have done more but I left several hours before the park closed. And yes I was very sore the next day.

[Coaster Kid]

Listin to mine First starting a good labor day at Coney Island then went to Strickers Grove then to Kings Island then to SFKK then back to Kings Island. God I feel so tired after that crazy day. But hey I was in the news paper at KI.

EDIT: I remember know I meet you in line for Srl on Diamondback remember.

[The Interpreter]

^^^

He's not my kid. Honest.

Even if that does sound like a Terpy trip or two....

[touchdown62]

EDIT: I remember know I meet you in line for Srl on Diamondback remember.

Yes, I do remember you. Always nice to meet people from here. Maybe I can get in on one of the group meet-ups when I'm there.

Glad you had a good day at KI and got your 15 rides in. I must say however that I have you beat. 80 laps on Gemini and a total of 92 coaster laps in 1 day. I could have done more but I left several hours before the park closed. And yes I was very sore the next day.

Well of course someone could top me. 15 rides isn't unheard of. Most coaster laps I've done in one day is 30. I can do more, but I have this thing about eating and drinking once in a while, and there's the whole bathroom thing. I can't imagine 92 circuits, though. You're a true Ride Warrior.

I did see Gary (I think) adding to his impressive total. He passed 1150 DB rides on Monday and was working on 1200. When I was in line for ride #14, he was in line for #39, if I remember correctly.

[Mr. Coastermania]

Ok, before you all go ape(stuff) on me, I wasn't trying to kill myself. That's just my term for making a one-day trip to and from Kings Island from Muncie.

Pics coming in follow-up post.

Allrightythen. I came solo this time. Everyone I knew had to work. On Labor Day. Huh. Really. National holiday to celebrate the working person, and everyone had to work. As a result, this is going to be one of my shorter TRs, since I had one goal in mind, and that was to double my ride total on Diamondback for the season, so guess where I went first...

The bathroom.

After a little over 2 hours in the car, you would do the same thing. Plus, I just love those air blades.

Got by the photo hogs inside the front gate. A remarkably easy feat when you're by yourself. They have no interest in singles.

THEN it was off to Diamondback. What a sexy (female dog). I was just going to marathon the ride all day long. Well, it was still early in the morning by my standards (10:30), so the body wasn't ready for a marathon. More like a 5K. Got 5 rides in about an hour and a half. Got a little woozy. Went to visit my old buddy The Beast. Rode in 1-2. Didn't want to wait for very front row. The Beast is such an amazing ride, it'll always by #1 in my heart, even though I'm currently enamored with Diamondback. The Beast will always be there, ready to kick my ass for dating someone else, and I'll take it, because I know I deserve it.

I was still recovering from 5 DB rides and getting a little peckish, so I started heading from Rivertown to Outer Hanks. On the way, I stopped by total mayhem and carnage on a grand scale. I was no longer hungry. The Skyline chili spaghetti competition was about to start. Humble Bob Shoudt, Joey Chestnut, Pat Bertoletti, Sonya Thomas, Halloween Haunt's very own Grim Reaper, and others stuffed their craw full of the once-tempting Skyline chili spaghetti (with mountains of cheese of course) for a full 10 minutes. Pictures to come when I get them put into my just-repaired computer. Humble Bob edged Joey Chestnut by a few shavings of cheddar cheese to defend his crown. Oh yea, he ate a little over 13.5 pounds of the stuff in 10 minutes.

After lunch, it was time for more rides on Diamondback. Got 5 more in. Also got my first-ever ride in the front row. Sky was threatening rain, so I wore my jacket. The wind in the front row was so intense, I was actually worried my jacket would start tearing. What a rush, though.

Took another break after the second set of 5 rides and got some ice cream from Action Zone. Sorry all you blueberry ice cream lovers. I happen to like the classic chocolate/vanilla twist cones. Also took in a Down Home Country show in the FestHaus while I enjoyed my ice cream. I'm not a big fan of country music, but I do like some of the classics, which they highlight in the show. I am impressed with the level of talent of the performers this year, in all shows, not just DHC.

Time was now 5:30, so had 2.5 more hours to get my 5 rides in, more if I felt like it. Had my ride total at 13 at about 6:30 and back in line again. I was first in line to get a row assignment from Captain Nemo when everyone heard thunder. Crap. Pulled up radar. Small cell. Should be out quickly. Talked with Gabriel for a bit until it started raining, and he let everyone still in the queue under the roof of the platform. Got in row 16. Figured it would be easier that way. Go to the very end and get out of the way of others trying to stay dry. 30 minutes or so passed, and the phone call we waited for came. The siren went off, and we were ready to roll again. It was raining lightly, but they got the ride going again. I was going to be the 3rd train out. I have my 15 rides easy. Gates open. I start getting comfortable in row 16. Skies open up. Ride shuts down again. Crap. Get the other 2 trains emptied. Pouring down rain. Rain lets up. It's about 7:20. Thunder again. Crap. 7:40. More thunder. Double crap. There goes my 15 rides. Probably won't get the ride going again. Park closes at 8. It's still dry under here. I think I'll just wait. 7:50, and the phone rings. Siren goes off. WOO HOO!!! I can still get my 2 rides in. Ride in row 16. Have my hat in my left hand. I'm in the left seat. We hit the splashdown, but I didn't feel any water. Then I remember my hat. Soaked. Oh well, I still have 3 minutes to get back in the queue. Make it with like 90 seconds to spare, until the ride supervisor said he was keeping the line open for a few more minutes. That's ok. Even though I wasn't on the last ride of the day, I did get on the red train's last ride. Row 16 again. Complete nirvana. I accomplished my goal of 15 rides. That also set a personal one-day, single-ride record for me. 15 rides on a single coaster in one day.

Pics coming soon.

Edit: Wow, hey. I just updated my sig, and realized that last-minute ride on DB made it a 2009 season total of 100 rides at the park. Nice.

Thats one heck of a great day and a lot of riding.

[Coaster Kid]

^^^

He's not my kid. Honest.

Even if that does sound like a Terpy trip or two....

Lol Terpy that would be fun to have you as a dad but if i was your son we would probly have been to 10 diffrennt parks. lol