Month: October 2016
Trick or Treat 2016
James was on his own this Trick or Treat as he headed to a friends house while Mom and Dad held down the fort (James is dressed as a surgeon which we thought was pretty scary). For the first time in three years the weather was nice on Halloween (not only nice but borderline spectacular) so we were able to put out the inflatables and other decorations to enhance our display. We had a great turn out as the kids came in bunches and the vast majority had their parents with them which we think adds to the fun. James came home with a huge load of goodies and had dad drive him to a couple spots that were “traditional Halloween stops” for him. All in all, a great day.
Cedar Point HalloWeekends Last Day 2016
Today was the last day Cedar Point is open, and despite early rain (we did not arrive till about 2pm) we made the trek down to Sandusky and had a great time. Our friend Dynamike the Magician joined us and we were surprised how many people at the park recognized Detroit’s Master Magician. The park crowd was mild but increased as the weather improved throughout the afternoon, one of the roller coasters wait was over an hour while others were only 15 minutes. Cedar Point was still decked out in Halloween gear so it was a perfect place to be the day before Halloween.
We saw that Cedar Point had begun tearing down the Mean Streak roller coaster which made for an interesting picture since you don’t see many pics of a roller coaster with part of it missing. Afterwards we finished off the evening at Ryans buffet in Sandusky and felt good that we decided to go rather than watch the Lions loss to Houston, consider this day seized.
When you are ready to leave Cedar Point do so quietly so that you don’t wake the giant Ogre up!
Northville Skeleton City 2016
Michigan has many small treasure throughout the state, the magic capital in Colon Michigan, the Antique Capital near Allen MI, Frankenmuth, Mackinac, etc. But just when you thing you have seen it all we found a city in Michigan where for one month the entire town is filled with skeletons. It seems the whole town (businesses, houses, apartments) gets involved in the Halloween spirit by placing skeletons somewhat related to their businesses on the streets of Northville. Our favorite was the election platform in the town square where Hillary and Donald were squaring off in a debate. Lots of fun and a great big thank you to the city and citizens of Northville who put this event on.
Henry Ford Halloween Field Trip with LPMS 2016
James and his classmates visited the Henry Ford Museum today and he said he had an absolutely wonderful time. Originally it was planned to be a visit to the Village but wet weather in the morning forced the class into the museum. After the visit James did get to visit the Village and rode the train with his family since Mom & Dad went there to pick him up and save James the two bus rides he would have to take to get home (one back to the school and another to his home). Greenfield Village is still decorated for Halloween and had a thousand pumpkins decorating the village, which is adds to the Fall atmosphere.
Continue reading “Henry Ford Halloween Field Trip with LPMS 2016”
Lincoln Park Middle School Bowling Fundraiser 2016
James participated in a bowling fundraiser and had a blast. The event was held at the Belmar Lanes bowling alley on Fort Street in Lincoln Park. Dad dropped James off then decided to stay since the Lions game was on there and managed to snap a few pictures. James bowled three games and won two of those. He also won a Michigan package with all sorts of goodies from the University of Michigan (James is becoming a big Michigan fan). Pizza and pop were also available but since James and his Dad had filled up on pizza from the Halloween party the night before only soda’s were drank.
Continue reading “Lincoln Park Middle School Bowling Fundraiser 2016”
James Halloween Party 2016
James and many of his friends attended the 6th installment of the Halloween party and this might have been the best one yet. Thanks to all the families who have supported this event this year and in the past. James really enjoys when his friends visit and it means an awful lot to him. Without a doubt it was the most well attended as kids and families from Lincoln Park High School, Lincoln Park Middle School, Dearborn Heights OW Best, Mixter, VIP Camp, etc. Remember if you know James you are invited to the party, as we have a difficult time keeping up with all of James’ friends do to his social circles changing and friends going to different schools and such.
Please note that the video below is a multiple video playlist, to play from the beginning simply click play, to view the list and jump around click the upper left corner of the playlist with the three horizontal lines.
Cedar Point Saturday Halloweekends 2016
We had been told by friends in Ohio that Saturdays are not a good day to visit Cedar Point due to the crowd and they were certainly right as this beautiful day in the midwest brought out many more visitors than our visit last Sunday on an equally beautiful day. While the lines were long James managed to hit a few rides and the Gemini roller coaster (which was closed when we first walked by) opened up and James and his dad only had about a twenty minute wait to get on the coaster which was great. We figured this might be our last visit this year so we picked up souvenirs in the form of Cedar Point hoodies for all of us.
Just when you thought it was safe, this rock monster comes to life during Cedar Points Halloweekends.
Cedar Point Halloweekends Ride Graveyard 2016
When we went to Halloweekends last (over a decade ago) we took pics of the small graveyard that had made for rides that no longer exist at Cedar Point. Well, on our most recent visit that Graveyard has grown much bigger than before and it included the “Mean Streak” Roller Coaster which was closed only a week earlier. Built by Dinn Corporation, Mean Streak was the tallest wooden coaster in the world with the longest drop when it opened to the public on May 11, 1991. It is still standing over in Western town but we assume they will take it down probably over the winter and have something new built there in the future. Lots of wood there, we thought maybe they would saw it up and sell parts of it like they do stadiums and casinos that go to the wrecking ball.
Anyhow it was a nice trip down memory lane and Dad found out that there are more rides in the ride cemetery that he has rode in the past (rotor, needle. pirate ride, wild mouse, funhouse, etc.) than new rides he has gone on in this current version of Cedar Point.
Continue reading “Cedar Point Halloweekends Ride Graveyard 2016”
Cedar Point Halloweekends Rock Star Graveyard 2016
We don’t remember seeing this graveyard last time we were here in October, but it was fascinating none the less, lots of great entertainers here. One thing we did not understand is why June Carter Cash was here but not Johnny? We’ll have to take a look at these pics again to see if maybe we missed it. Everyone else was there including Janice Joplin, Jimmy Hendrix, the Brothers Gibb, Keith Moon, and of course, the day the music died with the Buddy Holly plane crash. A nice little tribute to the rock and roll generation and James’ Mom and Dad both enjoyed visiting this cemetery as James was on a ride.
Very very creative folks these Cedar Point people.
Continue reading “Cedar Point Halloweekends Rock Star Graveyard 2016”
Cedar Point Halloweekends Parade 2016
Well, Mom and Dad got to see a graveyard with many of their favorite rides, and a graveyard with many of their rock and roll heroes. Is there anything else that the folks at Cedar Point can do to make our generation feel a little bit old? How about a parade celebrating the 50 year anniversary of the debut of the Charles Schultz Cartoon “Its the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown”. Yes Dad remembers watching it that fateful day 50 years ago with his Mom in the living room.
Anyhow the parade just seemed to march right in, James and Mom were getting ready to go on the Himalaya ride when this parade came marching toward us. Mom and Dad immediately went to the parade (James went to the ride while all were distracted and picked out a good Himalaya car) and snapped off these pics (and also a video or two).
Below are some video clips of the parade.
