Coastal Ohio :: Cedar Point

Sounds exotic doesn't it?  The truth is, it's fabulous.  Plain and simple, Cedar Point is the best amusement park on the planet.  That's right, I said it. 

You pull into the parking lot, step out of the car and can already hear the screams of excitement, smell the wafting aroma of carnival foods and feel the warmth and moisture of coastal Lake Erie.  Now it officially feels like summer.

Ever since I can remember, my family and I would make the hour-long car trip to Sandusky every summer at least once.  It was a day we anxiously anticipated -- planning the perfect outfits, packing roadtrip games, stuffing our fanny-packs and breaking in our shoes in preparation of the miles we'd walk around the park.

As a kid, Cedar Point is an experience filled with "firsts" -- your first big kid ride; your first real roller coaster; your first box of authentic salt water taffy; your first live show, and the list goes on.  Before I was tall enough to ride the big rides, I distinctly remember riding the Jr. Gemini 12 times in a row -- the last time, with my hands up like a big kid.  From there, I never looked back. I'd be tall enough for the big coasters by the next summer. 

Cedar Point is a park filled with history.  I just wish I could have seen it at its earliest!

In the 1870s, you could pay local businessman, Louis Zistel, a measly 25 cents for a ride on his boat to the Sandusky peninsula, where he owned and operated a beer garden, bathhouse on the beach and dance floor.  According to old newspapers, Cedar Point "sailing and bathing parties" were all the rage back in the day.   The first coaster was built in 1892, towering at an amazing 25 feet high and reaching speeds up to 10 mph -- What a thrill!  To them, it was one of the first of its kind.  A true rarity.  From there, the park was transformed little by little into the park we know and love today.  It now boasts an incredible 17 roller coasters, and tons of other thrill rides!

We just made the trip to Cedar Point with 2 other couples and had a blast!  As adults, the park is where you'll experience a few more of life's "firsts" -- your first beer in a saloon; your first backache from a wooden coaster; your first case of whip lash -- not quite as glamourous, but still milestones nonetheless. 

You can't call yourself a thrill seeker or roller coaster lover without making the trip to Cedar Point at some time in your life.  Go now before you're too old to ride the coasters ... lest be doomed to the role of "mom or dad" who holds everyone's fanny packs, waiting for the youngsters by the ride photo stand.

If you do decide to test your thrillseeker-ness at Cedar Point, be sure that you can stay past sunset.  Some of the best views from the top of the coasters are at night.  The twinkling lights and laser show make for some awesome landscapes.  I promise you'll love it.

My personal Top 5 coasters:

1)  Millenium Force -- The line is usually long at any time of day, but I promise that the ride is worth it.  It's over 2 minutes of hills, curves, twists and speed. 

2)  Magnum -- Another steel coaster, this one is a classic.  In its day, it was the tallest/fastest coaster in the world.  Now, it's the one you can ride over and over taking silly pictures in the tunnels, since the wait is usually pretty short.

3)  Raptor -- You've gotta ride this one at night.  Your feet dangle, so take off your shoes and air out your feet!  Lots of twists, turns and upside-downs on this one.  Great!

4)  Gemini -- I'm a Gemini, so I might be biased, but this one is fun because it's differnet.  It's wooden, and runs side-by-side with another car, so you race!  The multiple quick hills will surprise you!

5)  Mean Streak -- If you asked me 5 years ago, I'd tell you I hate this ride.  It's bumpy, I'm not gonna lie, and with over 2-minutes of belly drops, it will make you wish you didn't just eat those cheese fries.  I can't stop smiling on this coaster for some reason.  Others hate it and I understand why.

There's always a new ride to try out each year, and the newest, the Maverick, does not disappoint.

Other great rides you should try:

1)  SkyHawk -- This is basically a gigantic swingset for 40 people.  It's a fan favorite, especially for kids.  Lots of belly-dropping good laughs.  Short lines. 

2)  Power Tower -- Both Up and Down are great, but Down is my personal favorite. 

Happy Coastering!

Concrete Oasis of Sunshine

Yesterday I did something that some might consider a little crazy.  It was slightly embarrassing and desperate, and probably something I wouldn't do alone again, yet still completely worth it at the same time.  Any guesses?

Well, the thermometer hit 80 degrees yesterday in Westlake, Ohio.  And consequently, my sunlight-starved self pulled my beach bag out of the closet, threw on a tube top and flip flops and headed out to the parking garage connected to my apartment building.  On my walk up to the roof, I was already starting to question my decision, but it was too late to turn back now. 

I opened the door to find a concrete oasis of sunlight, completely deserted and wiiiiide open.  Why they don't convert this rooftop level of the parking garage into a usable outdoor escape is beyond me.  Nevertheless, as if plotting my spot on a beach, I headed straight for the corner with the most direct sunlight, laid out my pink-striped beach towel and decidedly soaked up the sun for the first time this season. 

The only thing I dislike about where we live is the complete lack of usable green space for grilling, playing and laying outdoors.  So, there I was, determined to make the best of this manmade slab of unused Level 4. 

The sun was at a perfect slant in the sky.  I could actually feel the warmth of the Cleveland sun on my face -- a feeling a Clevelander patiently looks forward to for 7 long and dreary months.  It's almost undescribable how much your body craves the rays. 

Anyways, there I was.  Alone with my beach towel, sunbathing like a fool on the rooftop of a freakin parking garage.  With every rattle of the doors, I'd check to see if someone was coming.  No one.  But what if someone saw me there?  They'd think I was nuts. 

After about an hour, the wind started to pick up and tiny little rocks kept swirling around the lot.  Time to get out of here, and next time I'll bring a chair ... and a friend so I don't get caught up there a lone fool.  That way we can be fools together.

3 more days 'til Vegas!

Winter AlcohOlympics : U-S-A! U-S-A!

Well folks ... as it turns out, the Winter Olympic games in Vancouver aren't the only sporting event taking place this weekend.  No Sirree, looks like the husband and I will be roadtripping to shiney Columbus, Ohio for a night of brutal AlcohOlympic battle!  Our powerful team of four has claimed good old USA as our country of origin, and although our tolerance is much lower these days, our game experience and courage will prove superior than that of our feeble opponents.

OK, I don't know about all that ... but it will surely be an awesome night of game-playing, costume-wearing and visiting with friends we haven't seen in quite some time!  Also, Columbus probably misses us.  It's been a few months since we've been there, so we're due for a visit. 

When you're watching curling, ice dancing and skiing this weekend on ABC, you can rest assured that I'll be singing along to "I'm a Real American" and chanting "U-S-A!" in between beer chugs and ping pong ball tosses. 

Either that, or hungover from doing all of the those things ...