My Continuing Education...: Collection...

It seems like I always end up in those getting-to-know-you situations where you go around the room and say your name, where you're from, what you do, and something interesting about yourself. This seems to come up on the first day of almost any class, or at church on the first Sunday of the semester. Maybe it's just because I'm a guy, but it seems like there's always this pressure to say something really cool. I'm not necessarily the coolest guy around, but I do have something interesting to share in these situations. I, like most of my immediate family, collect roller coasters. Not the literal, physical attraction, but the thrill. I have been on quite a few from quite a few different places. I thought I would share some of them.

Batman, Six Flags St. Louis, my first suspended roller-coaster.

BATMAN THE RIDE BY THE NUMBERS

Height Restrictions	min. 54"
Ride Category	Thrill

Introduced	April 1995
Elevation	10 1/2 stories tall
Length	2,693 feet
Top Speed	50 mph
Ride Duration	2 minutes
Number of Trains	2
Capacity Per Ride	32
G-Force	4
Special Features	Ride features five "head-over-heels" experiences, as trains travel on the outside, rather than the inside of the loops, with ski-lift-style coaches, where the floor drops out from beneath the riders' feet

Try the ride for yourself!

Mr. Freeze, Six Flags St. Louis, my first fast-launch coaster!

MR. FREEZE BY THE NUMBERS

Height Restrictions	min. 54"
Ride Category	Thrill

Introduced	April 1998
Elevation	over 22 1/2 stories tall
Length	1,382 feet
Top Speed	70 mph
Ride Duration	1 minute, 45 seconds
Number of Trains	2
Capacity Per Ride	20

Give this one a shot!

Millenium Force, Cedar Point in Sandusky, this one is just huge!

Duration:	2 min., 0 sec.
Height Requirement:	48"
Manufacturer:	Intamin, AG
Speed:	93 mph

It’s the big star of the show. A true Giant among coasters. So huge, it created a whole new category – the giga-coaster. Welcome to Millennium Force, the 310 foot, 93 MPH record-breaking monster of a thrill ride. The first hill features an elevator cable lift system to get you to the top faster, then it’s an 80-degree drop to start the coaster ride of your life!

Here it is!

Top Thrill Dragster, Cedar Point, Sandusky, this was the tallest, fastest roller coaster in the world at the time that I rode it. Dad and I waited extra long to sit in the front seat!

Zero to 120 MPH in less than 4 seconds. A few seconds later, you’re 420 feet in the air. In the race for pure adrenaline thrills, there is one winner: Top Thrill Dragster. Nothing else compares to this high-horsepower shot into the sky. From a standing start you’re launched forward, then straight up, then straight down and back to the finish line. The ride may be over in 17 seconds, but it’ll stay with you forever.

Check this out!

The X 2, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Rock 'n Roll, inversions, flames, fantastic!

X2 BY THE NUMBERS

Height Restrictions	min. 48"
Ride Category	Thrill

Trains	Completely redesigned, sleek trains
Features	Innovative, state-of-the-art visual, audio and sensory effects
Top Speed	76 mph
Elevation	20 stories
Length	3,610 feet
Capacity	28