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Sandusky, Ohio

The park only lets the crowd in a little ways. This barrier is preventing us from doing much else other than stand around like cows in a pen. I then learn the park doesn't officially open the rides for us "ordinary pukes" until 10am. The non-pukes, included the resort guests and Joe Cool people that I mentioned earlier, get to go in at 9am.

As time ticks onward to 10am I notice more cattle arriving and accumulating.

While waiting we're left to chew our cud and watch the non-puke thrillseekers enjoy "Raptor", the coaster where your feet dangle in the air.

Once 10am arrives a cattle stampede ensues. Some folks are literally running (hoofing?) at full speed in pursuit of a good line position at their favorite ride. As I walk into the park, I set my eyes back on the 7-level tower in the distance. What is it? I purposely didn't do any research on the park, I wish to be surprised.

The tall tower turns out to be an extreme ride called "Top Thrill Dragster." The ride opened late last season so it's the parks newest coaster. Just watching the ride in action is enough to make me sick, let alone actually boarding and riding this insane coaster. I decide I'll ride this coaster first, figuring it's the biggest, meanest, and most popular coaster in the park. In hindsight, it wasn't a good idea to ride this coaster first. I hadn't ridden a coaster in years. I would compare the experience to fasting for a long period of time, then going to McDonalds and pigging out on 5 Big Macs. It was just too much, too soon.