Life is a roller coaster with ups, downs, thrills, spills, twists and turns, and so it has been in our lives. In September of 2001, after we returned from our 3 ½ week "Coaster Trip of a Lifetime", Shredley was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Because of this, he had to enroll in clinical trials at UCSF in San Francisco. Since April of this year, he has been commuting to California for treatments. After living in Hawaii for 21 years, Shredley will be moving to the Bay Area this coming October.
In March of 2007, we wrote about our adventures at Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green Kentucky. Although we promised coverage of Six Flags Great America, due to time constraints and present conditions, our plans had to change.
Yes, we are still riding coasters and going to new places. In August, we'll begin an East coast trip that will take us to New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and back to our beloved Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio.
We began writing our roller coaster columns in September 2003. At that time we extolled the virtues of "Falling Down Things", and continued our columns by covering the dozens of amusement parks that we have visited and loved.
Following are a few of our highlights:
We started going on thrill rides together in 2000. Neither of us had been on a coaster that turned us upside down until we rode Vortex at Paramount's Kings Island in Cincinnati, Ohio. Our first loop was totally amazing, and we continued to ride Vortex, as well as many more looping coasters.
Vortex - Joni and Shredley's first upside down flip (Photo credit: by Ric Turner)
In 2001, we drove six hours to experience one coaster at Michigan's Adventure in Muskegon, Michigan. Riding Shivering Timbers was well worth the drive. It is the ultimate out-and-back woodie!
Shivering Timbers - the thrills go on forever (Photo Credit: Michigan's Adventure)
Of all coasters on the planet Earth that we've ridden, none compare to the fabulous Millennium Force at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. In our
October 2006 column, we selected it as the Best Steel Roller Coaster.
Millennium Force - The Best! (Photo Credit: Cedar Point)
Our favorite wooden coaster is located in our "home park", Knotts Berry Farm, Buena Park, California. Ghostrider thrills guests with constant drops, turns, and speed. In our
September, 2006 column, we selected it as the Best Wooden Roller Coaster.
Bar none, our favorite park will always be Cedar Point. This year will mark our eighth trip in eight years. We've said it before and we'll say it again: Cedar Point is our home away from home.
Cedar Point - Joni and Shredley in Paradise (Photo Credit: Joyce Harris)
We'll end this column flying freely through the air on the sky coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia.
J & S Flying on Fearless Freeps Daredevil Dive! (Photo credit: Linda and Norman Guy)
Aloha for now to our readers, friends, fans, and family. Many Mahalos.
-Joni and Shredley
Related Links:
www.cedarpoint.com
www.miadventure.com
www.sixflags.com
www.beechbend.com
www.coasterimage.com
www.rcdb.com
www.aceonline.org
