, 1
out of 4)Got to Denver about 6:00, had a little trouble finding the entrance to the new SF:Elitch Gardens. I could see the park easily enough from the highway, but couldn't figure out how to get in. Eventually looked in the Guide to Ride update and saw that I had taken the wrong exit.
The entrance to the new EG is through a small enclosed shopping center. I really liked the old EG, but was curious about how a brand-spanking new amusement park would be layed out. I was a bit disappointed, as I found the park confusing to navigate (but not as poorly designed as Kentucky Kingdom). The Zoomerang had valleyed, so I wasn't going to be able to ride it (no big deal, I've done enough Vekoma Boomerangs in my time). On to the coasters:
Six Flags Elitch Gardens
Twister 2 (Rating: , 1
out of 4)
Having ridden the original Mister Twister (and the Wildcat) in the old park, I was really skeptical about Twister 2. The ride is very attractive from the outside, and the queue is really cool as it winds through the structure. The old PTC trains were kept from the original, which is a good thing. The ride itself pretty much sucked. No great laterals, not much airtime, no great turns. Knoebel's Twister kicks this ride's ass.
Mind Eraser (Rating , 1
out of 4)
Typical Vekoma SLC, which means fairly strong headbanging and rough tracking. Can't imagine repeat riding this one much.
 Side view of Twister 2 |
 Nice lighting on Twister 2 |
 Tunnel on Twister 2 |
 1st drop POV on Twister 2 |
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 A valleyed Zoomerang |
Having finished riding what I could, I still had some time to spare before meeting Bruce in Boulder, so I made the short journey to Lakeside Amusement Park. I'd been to Lakeside a few times before, and always enjoy returning. Easily one of the most beautiful parks in the country, with perhaps the most attractive (but not thrilling) wooden coasters on the planet. Spent about an hour in the park riding the Cyclone.
Lakeside Park
The Cyclone (rating ,
3 out of 4)
Fabulously beautiful ride, gorgeous station, the best rolling stock extant. I even managed to get a double in the front seat when the operators didn't stop us in the station. Great curving first drop, good airtime with lateral on the first uphill, great lake turn, dull ride back.
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 The Cyclone at dusk |
 The best trains on any coaster, bar none |
 The lake turn |
Leaving Lakeside about 9, I headed up to Boulder, getting a bit lost on the way. I missed the turn for US36 off I-25, ended up taking CO7 and Baseline Road. Got stopped at a train crossing while a freight the length of Delaware rumbled by. I got concerned when I saw 5 locomotives pulling it. Met up with Bruce at the Hotel Boulderado around 10, got something to eat in town, and crashed for the night - big day tomorrow.
