What We Do for Fun

When you first meet a new friend inevitably the question is asked, so what do you like to do for fun? Tyler and I dread this question. While many of our friends say things like go hiking or camping or play golf or tennis, Tyler and I are well, just not the sporty, out-going type. In fact, while we were dating, most of our dates consisted of eating somewhere new, going to see a movie, or just sitting and talking, not very thrilling hobbies in comparison to our friends. Separately, I like to read and sometimes write, and Tyler likes to play video games, but again, nothing impressive or interesting to share. But we do have one fun obsession that we don't often share with others, so I'll let you in on a little secret!

Tyler and I are roller coaster fanatics! We love to go to amusement parks and try out as many roller coasters as we can! In the past five and a half years of marriage, we have been to five different amusement parks together. We try to go to one a year, although we had to take a year off last year while I was pregnant, so this year we doubled up.

Our first roller coaster adventure was to Busch Gardens-Williamsburg. We've actually been there twice, once while we were dating and then again a year after we'd been married. We've ridden every roller coaster in the park, including the Big Bad Wolf before it's retirement after 25 years (which at the time was how old Tyler and I were!), but our all-time favorite has to be Griffon! What an experience, 205 foot, 90 degree free fall at 75mph!! I was totally terrified and considered backing out on riding it, but it was an awesome ride, and we totally turned around and went right back on the Griffon again!

Big Bad Wolf

Griffon

Our second adventure was to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure in Orlando, FL. Unfortunately, we got there a few months before the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened, but we had a great time none-the-less. Although, I'm still holding out hope of going back someday so I can visit Hogwarts and sample some Pumpkin Juice in Hogsmeade (yes, let the nerd comments begin!). Our favorite ride by far was the Incredible Hulk coaster, it surprised us by shooting us off from 0-40 mph in 2 seconds! It was suh a shock, but so much fun! We also rode the Dueling Dragons, and were sure to ride both sides just in case one was better, and on that particular day the red dragon was shut down shortly after we finished riding it, which made me feel even braver in taking the plunge!

Incredible Hulk

Dueling Dragons

Our third park was Busch Gardens-Tampa, FL. The rides were all pretty similar to the park in Williamsburg, but were named in accordance with the African and Asian theme of the park. Although the rides were tons of fun, a huge plus was the animal exhibits. We basically got to ride roller coasters and visit a zoo all in one trip! It definitely topped the charts for me in amusement parks that we've visited!!

Sheikra (the same as Griffon in VA)

Scorpion (similar to Loch Ness in VA)

Then there was this year, we doubled up and took on two new parks. We started in April with Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN for our 5 year anniversary. We loved the ride the Winged Eagle, and what impressed me the most was that before entering the ride, each visitor reads the sign with the verse, Isaiah 40:31 across it. I loved seeing the Christian theme throughout the park, and we were pleasantly surprised to find so many fun rides and great food! It is a beautiful park too! And of course, we took the tour of Dolly parton's museum filled with her sequinzed dresses and rhinestone shoes and guitars. The woman has some serious bling in her wardrobe!! :)

Our most recent park visit was this weekend at Carowinds in Charlotte, NC. It was a last minute decision to go, but I think it was the absolute best park we've visited so far! It's not only an amusement park, but also a waterpark (which is another favorite of ours, we've been to Emerald Point and Water Country USA), but we never quite made it over to the water rides, because we were much too busy riding the 13 different roller coasters in the park! We rode every type of roller coaster you can imagine, wooden (the Hurler and the Goldrusher) and metal ones, ones where your feet dangle below you (the Afterburn), and ones where you are simply held in at the waist with nothing to hold onto (the Intimidator, which is probably the longest and scariest roller coaster I've ever been on!!), and then theres ones that flip you upside down repeatedly (the Cyclone) or that throw you backwards (the Cobra), and there's even one that you ride staning up, the Vortex. But by far and away, the craziest coaster we have ever ridden, has to be the Nighthawk, where you are lying down on your back going up the track backwards only to flipped over facing head down suspended from a harness as you dive towards the ground! It was insane, and yet totally fun, so of course, we rode it twice! :)

Intimidator

Cyclone

Vortex

Nighthawk

You might wonder why two quiet, unathletic people like us love roller coasters so much. But to be honest, I really have no idea! It's only been in the last 10 years, that I decided that I'd even try riding a roller coaster. I love the thrill, the anxious anticipation as you await getting on the ride, and the rush as you soar through the air, screaming at the top of your lungs. It's the closest I've ever come to being called a  risk-taker! Maybe it's the friendliness of those in line with you as you prepare for the terror that awaits you; we've made many friends over the years while waiting in line for these crazy rides! Another favorite has to be the lovely pictures they take of you while riding, why anyone would ever purchase them to bring home and display is beyond me, but I love stopping by the screens afterwards to see the horrendous face I'm making as I tempt fate once again! Most include me mouth wide open and eyes squinched tightly shut while Tyler grins ear-to-ear, he's the fearless one! :)

So I suppose in answer to the inevitable awkward introduction question, "What do you guys like to do for fun?" the answer would have to be, "We like to take our own lives in our hands, tempt fate, ride at heart stopping speeds, and take death-defying falls! What about you?" :)

Loch Ness at Busch Gardens-Williamsburg