The Westate Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Hi all, I had visited the park for the first time in 2006 and because of a business trip I would have about 4 hours on Sunday, September 15 to pick up 3 new credits for me and whatever else I could squeeze in. The park closed at 6:00, which is strange I thought as Carowinds (my home park) closes at 8:00 on Sundays. Anyway, I did a mad dash through the park and got in as much as I could. I had for some reason really loved the park in 2006, but this time I really saw the park as much more jsut a bland corporate park. Not a bad place by any stretch, but kind of like Carowinds... too corporate but nice. On we go! Time to catch a flight from Charlotte. US Air here I come! I've seen this skyline before, but something is new on the left. It's like a cute RCT version of main street. This was the real reason I came back to the park. Now where have I seen this before? Hmm... no it's not a Thunderhead, but it's ahead of Kentucky Rumbler in my book. Not really ahead of Lightning Racers though. It's got this weird jerk at the end of the ride when riding in the back. Not sure what's up with that. Didn't know they used high voltage on wood. Sadly I missed this yet again. And I hear it's pretty cool. But I wanted to ride a few of the coasters again, and time just didn't allow. New credit #2. My first spinner by them, and wow did it spin like crazy! So dizzy at the end of the ride! Don't have a cow! Twisty! Didn't have time... and I got the one at SFOG this year... moving on. When did Dollywood paint their train? Oh wait. Not nearly as painful as Hershey's was. Not been on the Hershey one with the new train. But I was "excited" to get my first credit that's run in Texas. So that was something. Red Barchetta please. he Scrmin' Eagle is a classic! I just wish I knew what it all means. Wow, Downtown is closer to the park than I thought! Blech! Horrible to put that stupid boomerang over top of Screamin' Eagle. Looks terrible! Oy! I've already got the credit... moving on! As with most of the Vekoma/Arrow loopers, it looks nice but the ride is something else. Denied another ride. I don't know if they've shortened the belts or I'm just fatter but I wasn't able to ride. Strange I rode SFOG's without a problem. How did I get to BGW? Mommy can I buy it!?!!?? Didn't have time, and I already had the credit... and I figured I might not fit, so I had to keep walking. Hello to our all our friends across the Pond! Boss would be such a boss if it weren't for those horrible trains that shake like Kinzel when he sees a red coaster. Well that's all for Six Flags.. up next, I visit St. Louis! Sadly the City Museum was closed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Westate Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share Posted October 10, 2013 ... and we're back! My last full day in St. Louis I rode the MetroLink (subway/light rail) downtown from the airport and checked out the sites. I had only been through St. Louis once in my life but didn't have time that day to stop and see anything. On with the show... I took the train to the Arch station and started walking. It's about 2 blocks from the station, maybe 3 to the Arch. The place has a nice park around the Arch, and there are a ton of trees so you can't really see much of the Arch until you get right up to it. And we're here! Such a fun thing to use for different shots. The sun was starting to set as well, so even moreso. Yet another angle. History They had a nice museum under the arch itself. All of the animatronics were down and I felt like I had stepped into Westworld all of a sudden. Mississippi... yep I spelled it right. Yet another angle. Another state capital I've been to now. Back on the train... this reminded me of London for some reason. Even though I've never been there. Time to stop off at some stadium or something. Sorry Pirates fans... but yeah I stopped by the Cards place. Nice looking stadium. Now where is third base? History... Stan the Man. They were out of town when I was there. Ironically the only other MLB stadium I've been to was Three Rivers in Pittsburgh. Before they blew it up of course. I somehow think I was outside the Reds old place too in Cinci before the blew it up. Can't recall if they had moved yet when I was there, but I saw it. They've won a whole lot more championships than any of my Carolina teams. OK, we've only won 1. Fairs fair. It may have been America's Past Time 100 years ago, but I'd hardly call it that now. Again I very nice looking place... moving on down the line. I love Hard Rock Cafe and never knew there was in St. Louis and found this one at the last minute before I caught the train. So glad I checked! The nachos weren't quite as good as the ones in Atlanta, but still good. One fo the smaller ones I've been to. I love Van Halen. I'm alive already! Alive! Do you hear me!? Cool shirt. I want to be smaller... so small I can actually fit on El Toro! This place was half empty. Kinda creepy at night. It's an old train station converted to a mall, but half the stores are gone. And the obligatory Hard Rock pic. I miss Hard Rock Park. And finally I'll leave you with this cute bunny I found eating along the tracks as I was waiting for my train at Union Station. Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed the pictures. Until next time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therick311 Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Really nice photos of downtown STL. As a resident, I do feel the need to make 2 corrections. St. Louis is not the capital of Missouri. That would be Jefferson City. Also, I won't speak for other cities, but in STL, baseball is still our past time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Farmer Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Prime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Westate Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share Posted October 10, 2013 Really nice photos of downtown STL. As a resident, I do feel the need to make 2 corrections. St. Louis is not the capital of Missouri. That would be Jefferson City. Also, I won't speak for other cities, but in STL, baseball is still our past time. Ah, so what is that building? Is that city hall? Yeah I know there are still baseball cities, but overall it seems America has fallen in love more with NFL football, maybe because to be a diehard baseball fan you've got 4 of 5 times the number of games to watch as opposed to football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therick311 Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 That building is what we call the Old Courthouse. It originally served as a state and federal courthouse. It is now actually a part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, which includes the Old Courthouse, the park, the Museum of Westward Expansion (under the Arch), and the Gateway Arch. I don't disagree with you on football nationally. I think it helps that football basically has a whole day where there is nothing on but football. However in STL, baseball is king. Opening day is an unofficial holiday here. Many people take the day off work and go downtown for pep rallys and to watch the game at a restaurant or bar and drink. Opening day tickets are hard to come by. Hell, we just named the new bridge they are building over the Mississippi after Stan Musial. But what can I say, we like our pizza flat, and our ravioli fried. We're a little weird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jk1w Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Its funny to think the baseball team Cards are so so much better than the football team Rams, since I live in southern IL that is all I hear about is the Cards and the Rams never about Chicago Cubs or Bears (GO BEARS!) which is like talking about Satan around here. On the other note, man I have been living around here for years and still haven't got to see that much of Saint Louis, I still can't figure out how to get around non the less Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Westate Posted October 14, 2013 Author Share Posted October 14, 2013 Well I've lived in Charlotte all my life and never been to the Outer Banks... lol. Course there is only 1 credit out on the eastern side of NC, maybe that's why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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