25th Birthday

For my birthday this year I ventured up to the Gardens after more than six years since my last visit.

Actually, I can barely remember my last visit there.  I've only gone twice in my life before last weekend.  The first was in middle school with Amanda...the only thing I remember about that is my dad sitting behind the two of us on the Loch Ness Monster, taunting us saying that the ride sounded broken.  A second later we were down the first drop and Amanda was screaming and laughing while I was adamantly professing how much I hated her for making me ride.  The second visit was in high school...I think...all I remember about that visit was crying in the line for the park's newest coaster: Apollo's Chariot.  As you might have noticed--I was not a fan of roller coasters.  It wasn't until I encountered The Hulk at Universal Studios that I made the switch to roller coaster enthusiast (and thus began the slow climb to adrenaline junkie).

That being said, it was great to be able to return to the theme park that held memories of salty tears and frozen lemonade with a fresh new out look on roller coasters...and fell in love.  Who needs a man to put butterflies in my stomach when a roller coaster can do the same?  

It was slightly rainy and cold which lends itself to perfect theme park conditions: NO LINES!!  We walked right onto to every ride (with the exception of The Curse of DarKastle which is an indoor ride) and several times we got right back on without a moment to blink.





Sadly, the Big Bad Wolf is no more: (It's being replaced by a new ride set to open next year)

 

Then

Now

But there is this:

The Griffon.












and yes.  That is a 90 degree drop

Best part?  They hold you over the edge facing straight down for six agonizing seconds before you dive to the ground.

The Griffon is fantastic.  And not nearly as rough as it looks.  Definitely a thrill though.  We got on, loved it, and rode it again immediately, only this time we clambered into the front row.  When they drag you over the side and you're in the front row, all you see is the sky.  No coaster beneath you, nothing.  You can spread out your arms and legs (if you dare) and it's as if your suspended in mid air.  Absolutely fantastic.


It was the best birthday I've had in a long time.  I was nervous about turning 25...it used to sound so old.  But I realized something.  I'm young and have no real commitments which opens me up to a world of endless adventures.  So Happy 25th to me!