Finally Family Day with my only daughter's family at Waldameer Amusement Park was yesterday. A month ago my grandson, Hunter, turn 8 years old and his present from me was to be Ride-A-Rama at Waldameer, however the weather delayed our fun event.
Hunter, Jacob, Tim & Stacy
All winter and spring Hunter & I planned which rides we wanted to go on. At the top of our list was the Ravine Flyer II. Well, guess who chickened out??? (Read on . . .)
Every kids favorite
These were Jacob's favorites. He is only two & half and held tightly by one of his parents.
Ferris wheel and the yellow coaster on the pink track.
Hunter & Jacob 
This bronze art piece reminds me of childhood visits to another park in my home town. The cross bars were my favorite. Maybe I had more energy then, too.
Now the Scariest Ride of My Life on the Ravine Flyer II
In order to adequately relay this story to you I need to take you back in history. From the time I came to Erie as a college freshman I heard stories of the original Ravine Flyer that crossed over the four lane road leading down to Presque Isle State Park. The quest to rebuild the coaster has spanned many, many years as well as legal battles. Finally the Ravine Flyer II debuted in May 2008. The rider in the first car was an 80+ year old who had ridden the first Ravine Flyer.
During the winter of 2007-2008 Hunter watched the coaster being built both on-line and frequent visits to the job site. His mother, Stacy, manages a large apartment complex where many of the men lived while working on the coaster for 18 months. On opening day of 2008 Hunter got cold feet and did not ride the coaster. A few weeks later he went with his father and throughout the summer they rode the Ravine Flyer II many times. Despite my desire to ride with them my schedule didn't fit with theirs.
Yesterday was Family Day at Waldameer and my first opportunity to ride the Ravine Flyer II and I almost didn't live to tell the story, sort of. Once again Hunter backed out of riding the coaster on the first day, but I was determined to ride it. Fortunately Tim, son-in-law, was my very willing companion as he is a coaster enthusiast.
Click and experience the thrill of the ride while I finish my personal tale of survival.
- Standing in line for half an hour I almost chickened out
- Especially when the coaster ahead of us stopped on the track
- The riders had to walk up the final incline to the station
- I kept asking Tim if this was a bad omen.
- He tried to reassure me even my daughter had ridden the coaster with him last year
- I kept asking myself why I was still standing in line to board the coaster
- I reminded myself that riding this coaster was one of my dreams from college days
- AND I didn't want to be labeled a quitter or chicken
Later we learned the entire park had a power outage and best of all I rode the Ravine Flyer II and told the tale for everyone here at ActiveRain. Come visit one of the oldest family owned amusement parks in the United States. NO ADMISSION FEE AND NO PARKING FEE.
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