A Thrilling Day at Cedar Point
We fasten our seat belts, take a few deep breaths and stare up towards the red and blue tracks leading to an eighty degree descent. Millennium Force was ranked number one roller coaster in the world during eight years and now it’s our turn to experience the 300 feet vertical drop, the 122-degree overbanked turns and pass through the dark tunnels in this “giga-coaster”. We sit quiet, waiting for the train to pull out of the station. Strangely enough I’m not nervous, only filled with an intense anticipation.
Our mini-holiday began at The Fowler Center where we worked as Camp Counsellors during the summer. After a few hours drive through a rainy Michigan, we crossed the state border into Ohio. Sleeping in tents outside as we had planned was out of the question in the horrible weather. Fortunately we caught side of a Holiday Inn outside Toledo, shared a double room and split the cost in three. A few hours rest and a tasty breakfast buffet later, we were ready to leave. Since it was my birthday my friends surprised me with a delicious chocolate cake and the waitressing staff came to our table singing Happy Birthday. I doubt I could have gotten a better start to the day.
We reached Cedar Point before noon. The amusement park which is often referred to as the most amazing park on earth is located on a peninsula in Lake Erie, between Cleveland and Toledo, in Sandusky. At the parking lot, we listened to all the screams coming from inside the park. Passing through the entrance, we could smell French fries and funnel cakes and hear the roar of Raptor as it flew by above us. Raptor has a perfect location next to the entrance and we couldn’t resist joining the line to this inverted roller coaster. Sitting in ski-lift style seats with lap belts and shoulder harnesses, our legs dangled free during the ride and we went upside down six times. When Raptor stopped, we ran straight to the line for a second ride.
I’m a real thrill-seeker and a day at Cedar Point can’t be anything else than fun. If you ask the millions of coaster enthusiasts who come here each year, I bet they will agree. Cedar Point with its 17 roller coasters and various thrill-rides brings out the kid in us all, creating a carefree and so-happy-you-want-to-jump feeling. We rushed from one attraction to another - Raptor, Mean Streak, Blue Streak, Magnum, Gemini, Wicked Twister, Power Tower - and absorbed the sounds, smells, and the cheerful atmosphere. While we waited in line to one carousel, a boy dropped his shoe from the top of the ride. It landed one inch from where I stood - almost as startling as the 10-story building tall freefall from Demon Drop.
When I feel the train pulling out of the station, my mind returns to the present. I get a big silly smile on my face as we move upward. At the top of the ride’s first hill, I look out over Lake Erie and the beach far below. The moment lasts a few seconds; I wish we could stay here an hour, just to admire the incredible view.
I turn backwards and see all first timers - they grasp firmly to their lap bars and avoid looking down. The roller coaster veterans already have their arms in the air. We pretend that we belong to them and when the train plunges toward the ground, we raise our arms.
I would gladly pay $41.95 for another day at America’s roller coast, Cedar Point.
