mIkIE and Jim's Excellent Adventure

mIkIE and Jim's Excellent Adventure at

Although Jim and I usually alternate amusement park trips each summer (one year to Cedar Point, and the next year to Kings Island), this year we nearly repeated last year's vacation. We returned to Kings Island in Cincinnati (without the side trip to Dayton and the Wright Patterson Air Force Museum). Cedar Point only had one new ride (MaxAir, which is just like the Kings Island ride Delirium that we got to ride last year); but Kings Island had a new ride that Jim really wanted to see - "The Italian Job Stunt Track". (Jim really loves Mini-Coopers and that's what this ride is based upon. <)

The four hour trip takes us southwest across the state, passing through Columbus, the state capital. (Too bad I don't have FlatStanley with me. He would have enjoyed this trip. ) Look real close and you'll see me in the rearview mirror.	Most of that quadrant of Ohio in the summer reminds me of the South - flat and hot! But we had excellent weather and an enjoyable drive.

One of our first views of the park. MouseOver to see a Close-Up	What's this? Where we parked, of course.

Upon entering the park, visitors are greeted with a huge cement pond, large fountains, and a 1/3 replica of the Effifel Tower. Through Comfort Suites, where we were lodging (the same hotel and even the SAME room as last year - with jacuzzi!), we got discount passes into the park that allowed us to enter after 5pm the night before; so rather than having dinner at the Outbacks (like last year), we headed on over to the park.

Most of our trips to the park have been on July 4th (the crowds are light, because most Americans are busy having picnics and viewing fireworks in their hometown). Kings Island hosts a nice fireworks show for several nights at the 4th, and usually shoots them from the Tower, which means that it has been closed for the day, and we haven't been able to go up. However, this year they are shooting fireworks from several locations around the park, and the Tower was open to visitors.

Ascending in a glass elevator, visitors are taken to the Observation Deck which is 27 floors up. From that height, you can see literally for miles! And even out into the parking lot where I think we can see Darth.

MouseOver to find Darth

From the back side of the Tower, we looked down onto the newest ride that we had come to experience, "The Italian Job Stunt Ride". MouseOver the clock near the bottom of this picture and you'll see an intruing clock made from plants. The new ride is a LIM which means you blast off out of the station and UP that circular track. (MouseOver CloseUp) The ride includes swishing past parked police cars, explosions and fire and through a dark tunnel, like a drainage pipe, and coming out in a blast of water at the end. It wasn't long enough; but it was certainly a great thrill (and worth the trip!)

MouseOver CloseUp

The longest wooden coaster in the world (the Beast) for over 20 years is here in the park, along with the world's ONLY wooden looping roller coaster (the Son of Beast)


Way out past the kid's part of the park, past the trees, and by the North Parking Lot of the park, is Boomerang Bay, King Island's water park, which is a great way to chill out after standing in lines in the hot summer sun and riding those thrilling rides. MouseOver to see the water park.



	From the Effifel Tower you can look down and across the fountains to the front entrance.

Tanned and Happy

Jim "enjoys" the great view from this height; it's just the HEIGHT that he doesn't like. LOL

Back on the ground, we took a ride on the Beast. Leaving the station, we take this first curve and up the first hill; then halfway through the ride is another hill nearly as tall as the first.


Mikie and Jim outside of Laura Croft's Tomb Raider Ride. Ignore how we look. It was after a four hour drive, and we had stopped for a margarita at Outbacks, and been in the jacuzzi already. LOL This turned out to be a ultra-cool ride (we didn't get to ride it the last time that we were here).

Jim and a Mini-Cooper

Being the weekend of the Fourth of July, Kings Island always puts on a great fireworks show. For years, I've been wearing prizmatic glasses when I watch fireworks. Kings Island passed out similar glasses to all their guests to add an extra colorful flare to the explosions.

After the fireworks, we headed back to our hotel and that jacuzzi. I tell you, being in our 40's isn't all that bad, and we've learned to compensate for some of the problems. All that walking in the park in the heat (and banging around in the rides) is tiring and draining, and that's when those jets of hot water in the tub sure do come in handy.


Heading back into the park the next morning

Happy 4th of July

from Kings Island!

the Italian Job Stunt Track
	Jim "ready" to go up 315 to fall at 61mph on the "Drop Zone" MouseOver to see me in his sunglasses

Looking down at the teeny-tiny people way down below.

After a bunch more rides and lunch, we headed over to Boomarang Bay for the rest of the afternoon. Jim seems happy to ride on the train back to the main part of park instead of more walking. We had great weather and a great time at the park and finally headed back home.

Columbus from the South

As we passed through Wooster, and under an hour from home, we saw a fire. I couldn't tell but I'm hoping that it was someone's garage and not a house. After my house fire years ago, I'm always a little paranoid about those kind of things. But not to worry on this trip.

On the way down, Jim mentioned something that I had had as a fleeting thought. Since we have the internet through our phones, shouldn't I be able to view the feed of my webcam?!?

After some irritation with typing the url on my phone, lo and behold - a picture from the webcam! So several times while we were in line waiting on a ride, I'd pull out my phone and check up on the doggies. No fires; but, every once in while, a doggie would show up. Although I knew Mike Poland was taking good care of the dogz, I was sure glad to see it myself until I got home.