WhiteKnight77 Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 I went to Busch Gardens on Saturday. I haven't been there in over 10 years and boy, has it changed still I had a good time. Bob the Burgermiester has retired (as or 2002 and after the last time I went) and some old friends were no longer there. Alcohol wise, I had like 5 20 oz beers and a 16 oz beer over the course of the day if I remember right. I rode both the Loch Ness Monster and Griffon twice. That is a trip, 205 feet, straight down at over 70MPH. They let you hang for a few seconds before you actually drop. The second time I rode it was at night jamming to some Ozzy (I had my MP3 player and wished they had that 30 years ago, I would have had an even better time riding the LNM back then). There were three roller coasters that I had never ridden before. This is a pic of me on Griffon for my second ride (I don't have a scanner and didn't have it emailed to myself like I did this one). I need to download the video from my camera to my PC and edit it all. Unfortunately, I couldn't get video while riding Griffon or Alpengiest and messed up the video on Apollo's Chariot (actually makes good use of the terrain as the camelbacks follow the hills and is a fast ride too and you pull 4.1gs), but I have some cool video of Griffon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxtrot360 Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 (edited) Hey glad to see you had fun! I havent been to Busch Gardens but I've been to Kinds Dominion & Watercountry and they were both fun. Hope to get to Busch Gardens one of these days. Those rides look great. Its really nice when you arent cold though, I think I prefer riding in the summer to the winter and fall. Edited May 12, 2008 by Foxtrot360 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dporter Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 Yeah I actually live about five minutes from Kings Dominion so of course we go there a lot. Last year was rough when they were bought out by another company but this year the prices are much better and your parking pass is actually free with your season passes which is nice since they were charging $40 or something like that for it last year. I've never actually been to Busch Gardens but my wife and step daughter have both gone and enjoyed it. I guess they have an area where they have stuff from different countries like a little China, or little Italy type places which I am interested in checking out. I have been to Williamsburg though and it is a really cool place. I love the old colonial section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteKnight77 Posted May 12, 2008 Author Share Posted May 12, 2008 The areas of BG are countries, Ireland (used to be called Hastings), England, France (used to be called Aquitaine), Germany, Scotland and Italy. I had planned on just wearing a t-shirt so I could show off my Ground Branch t-shirt, but had to wear a long sleeved shirt all day. By the time I left, I could see my breathe. Here is some raw video of Griffon. It is in MPG format and will run in WMP. I want to have the edited versions stream so I have some work to do, once I get everything worked out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Hey WK... How ironic...my brother and his wife were visiting from England just a few weeks ago and we went to Busch Gardens. I'm not a roller coaster person but did make it on every ride. The dramamine (motion sickness pills) helped. I made the mistake of sitting in the front row on the Griffon...they do indeed let you hang for a few seconds. I nearly wet myself. Honestly though, I thought Apollo's Chariot was much scarier. At least with the Griffon you feel like you're really secured in your seat. I actually thought I was going to die on Apollo's Chariot - I thought I was going to fly right out of my flipping seat, land on the track below and get run over by the carts as they came speeding by. Loch Ness Monster and The Big Bad Wolf were more my level. I actually enjoyed them and was able to open my eyes. Escape from Pompeii was the best, heh heh. <what do you mean it's a noob ride?> Too bad I didn't know you were going...I could've met you. I only live about 40 minutes from there. Hats off to A. Busch - they go to great lengths supporting the military. This is the second theme park (Sea World being the other) that the whole family and I got free tickets to - Here's to the Heroes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteKnight77 Posted May 14, 2008 Author Share Posted May 14, 2008 I am still in the area. Sounds like you got a transfer. REO Speedwagon is headed to Norfolk Naval Station on June 27th. For the record. I didn't have to pay to get in though I did have to pay for parking. My folks know people. Yeah, the bridge from Germany to Italy has had some stuff added to it with the archways, all featuring the shields of each branch of the military. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 I am still in the area. You're not in GA anymore? I thought you knew I was up here...I'm at Little Creek...the amphib base a stones throw away from Norfolk. June 27 th, eh? Actually, I'll be gone by then. <back on topic > Ya know...come to think of it - the Alpengiest roller coaster was pretty nasty too...but I found out that if you squeeze your eyes shut as tight as you can and curse loudly (or pray...or both) it's over before you know it. Worked for me anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dporter Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Ya know...come to think of it - the Alpengiest roller coaster was pretty nasty too...but I found out that if you squeeze your eyes shut as tight as you can and curse loudly (or pray...or both) it's over before you know it. Worked for me anyway. I'll be in Norfolk the 30 and 31st of this month touring some of the ships there. We're taking the boy scout troop from our church there. We'll be staying on base and eating in the mess hall. I'm actually really excited for the tour. Both my dad and grandfather served in the Navy and I've never actually been on a carrier or even seen one up close. I think we're also touring a submarine and hopefully a destroyer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 I'll be in Norfolk the 30 and 31st of this month touring some of the ships there. We're taking the boy scout troop from our church there. We'll be staying on base and eating in the mess hall. I'm actually really excited for the tour. Both my dad and grandfather served in the Navy and I've never actually been on a carrier or even seen one up close. I think we're also touring a submarine and hopefully a destroyer. Sweet. I'm sure the troop will have a great time. Carriers are much too large for me. They have more people onboard than my hometown. Quite a treat to tour, but wouldn't want to be attached. I'm a sub guy...so let me warn you about the sub tour. Sub's don't smell very nice below decks. Do you already have the arrangements made? Enjoy the mess hal...err...galley food...(sorry, couldn't resist - ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteKnight77 Posted May 15, 2008 Author Share Posted May 15, 2008 Last time I at at the chow hall at NAS Norfolk (this was like 28 years ago or something like that), the food was pretty good for the most part though the sticky buns were pretty bland tasting. Seeing a Nimitz class carrier up close still does not really give you how immense it is. Seeing one some 10 miles out in the Chesapeake Bay and it still stretching farther you could imagine is awesome. I remember seeing the Nimitz as they built it back in the early 70s and it towered over everything in downtown Newport News. I think it was the Stennis that I saw back in the early 90s out in the bay and thinking about how big it really is. I still live in GA, but I am up here on business and have been since the end of January. I expect to be here til the end of June. I know where Little Creek is though it has been some time since I have been out that way. We need to meet up so I can buy you a beer (or other beverage). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 Seeing a Nimitz class carrier up close still does not really give you how immense it is. Seeing one some 10 miles out in the Chesapeake Bay and it still stretching farther you could imagine is awesome. My son's apartment sits right next to the shipyard. If you got a strong arm, you could probably throw a rock and hit the PCU George Bush. It's pretty cool. I've toured a few...I'd take a sub any day. I still live in GA, but I am up here on business and have been since the end of January. I expect to be here til the end of June. I know where Little Creek is though it has been some time since I have been out that way. We need to meet up so I can buy you a beer (or other beverage). Business, eh? Cool. Jan to Jun - 6 months? That's a long time to be away from home. That's like a deployment. We should meet up. It would have to be soon as I depart for Iraq in a few weeks. We better get this back on topic before one of those admin types comes around. There is one who, rumor has it, carries a big stick and she isn't afraid to use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whisper_44 Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 We better get this back on topic before one of those admin types comes around. There is one who, rumor has it, carries a big stick and she isn't afraid to use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZJJ Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 We better get this back on topic before one of those admin types comes around. There is one who, rumor has it, carries a big stick and she isn't afraid to use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteKnight77 Posted May 15, 2008 Author Share Posted May 15, 2008 It's my thread and I will take it anywhere I want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 It's my thread and I will take it anywhere I want. Sweet... Hey, do you like to shoot...I was thinking about hitting the range this weekend...you want me to pick you up. I've only got a handgun for now, but we can always rent what the range has. I usually rent one of their Bushmaster M4s, just to stay proficient. Let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteKnight77 Posted May 16, 2008 Author Share Posted May 16, 2008 I'm up for it, been a while since I have been shooting. It will do me good to smell some gunpowder again. I have the earplugs too. I PMed you my number(s). When are you headed back overseas too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Posted May 16, 2008 Share Posted May 16, 2008 I'm up for it, been a while since I have been shooting. It will do me good to smell some gunpowder again. I have the earplugs too. I PMed you my number(s). When are you headed back overseas too? Cool. I'll give you a ring. I shoot at Camp Allen...they've got a pretty nice indoor range...completely automated. I'll bring my gun and a few boxes of ammo...anything else we need we can get from there. Overseas in a few weeks...I'll be on the ground this time...not on a sub anymore. I'll tell you all about it when I see you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Posted May 17, 2008 Share Posted May 17, 2008 WK... What is your schedule tomorrow (SAT) - do you work. I usually go around 10:00 AM. I've got the ammo...and I'll bring my camera. Let me know and I'll give you a ring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteKnight77 Posted May 17, 2008 Author Share Posted May 17, 2008 I'm free on Saturdays and Sundays. Give me a call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteKnight77 Posted May 19, 2008 Author Share Posted May 19, 2008 Saint and I went shooting Saturday over at the above mentioned Camp Allen, just around the corner from Camp Elmore ( a Marine camp just across the interstate from NAS Norfolk where my first duty station was). Here are the first couple of pics of our time. I rented a Bushmaster AR-15 (with iron sights no less, yeah, I am old fashioned that way). I got a box of 50 rounds to shoot (Saint ended up buying a box too). The targets were placed at 25 yards (indoor range). The black is 3 " across mind you. This is my first 25: This is Saint's first 25: More pics to follow. For the record, last time I went to the rifle range and shot an M16 was in 83. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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