Thrillography Chases The Monster! Trip Report

...

... I'M BAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!

I'm sorry I had to go away for a bit, but it needed to be done.  Stuff was really difficult there for a minute.

Today is my birthday. The best gift I can give myself is to carry on. Right? 

Let's go to Adventureland. :}

We're here!

In Iowa, roller coasters sprout out of the corn fields. 

For quite a few years, the skyline pretty much just looked like this.

In 2013, a small Mondial WindSeeker ride called Storm Chaser pierced the sky (not to be confused with the Storm Chaser coaster at Kentucky Kingdom).

Then a badass Gerstlauer Infinity Coaster (formerly Euro Fighter) appeared!

Okay, enough looking at corn. Let's go!

Adventureland is delightfully quaint. 

Like many of the Disney-inspired regional parks that popped up across the country between 1961 and 1981, Adventureland sought to recreate a little Disneyland-style magic a little closer to home. 

In fact, some Disneyland alumni were supposedly on the design board for Adventureland.

The note-for-note Main Street U.S.A. recreation is where a majority of the Disneyland similarities end, however. 

There's no Gerstlauer Infinity coasters in Disney.

Enter: Monster

Top of the line. State of the art. All the bells. All the whistles. 

A portrait of the very best German engineering has to offer.

And it's Des Moines, Iowa!

Not only does Monster have a flawless layout, but special care was taken to thread the vintage Spokane World's Fair Sky Ride through the mess of track. 

Gerstlauer Infinity trains are easily the best rolling stock in the industry. Few coaster trains can boast the same level of comfort, freedom, and security. 

All three of those aspects are immediately noticeable as you're hurled over that 95 degree drop. 

Rather than follow the first drop up with a conventional inversion, Monster fires riders over a lopsided, over-banked, sideways tophat. 

The next move is a tremendous camelback dive loop into an extremely round, elongated vertical loop. And that's just the beginning!

It took us a while to really figure out the whole layout.

"Who's "us"" you ask?

Me and my buddy Nathan!

(who doesn't look at the camera and smile when I tell him to. x} )

There's going to be a LOT of Monster pictures on this update.

Like, a lot. 

But for now let's give the park's other coasters some love!

The original star of Adventureland is their 1978 Bill Cobb out-and-back woodie, Tornado. 

1991's Dragon would become infamous for it's uncomfortable ride experience courtesy of troubled Schwarzkopf / Arrow Dynamics wannabe manufacturer O.D. Hopkins.

Despite the issues, Dragon is one good-looking ride.

(kinda hard to tell from here, but trust me)

Incoming! 

Unlike a majority of larger regional parks, Adventureland hasn't replaced their old woodie's skid brakes with magnetic brakes. Still has buzz bars, too!

Ok, here's a better view of Dragon.

See? It's a very handsome ride.

However, the quirky Tornado will not be upstaged by a rip-off looping coaster with unnecessary shoulder restraints!

If you're upset by Carowinds' decision to bulldoze their Bill Cobb installation, come down to Des Moines and ride a coaster that's way better than Thunder Road. 

Much of Adventureland is remarkably unchanged and exquisitely preserved. Even the Skee-Balls are circa 1980s!

This picture could've easily been taken during the park's first season, and the only difference would be the tree growth.

Adventureland doesn't have much of a reputation, but what little hearsay there is about the park suggests a committed if-it-ain't-broke-don't-fix-it attitude.

Bearing that in mind, Monster getting built was a tremendous shock.

Like, this ride is no slouch. It would be a star coaster at any given regional park around the world. 

Adventureland could've opted for something more on the scale of Knoebel's Impulse or Canobie Lake's Untamed and the ride would've still surprised enthusiasts and blown away locals. 

But no, li'l ole Adventureland went for maximum wow-factor with an industry-leading design firm.

Like, how do you not build a coaster for two decades and then suddenly build this?

Were they saving money this entire time so they could pay cash for a $10M+ ride??

Starting in 1991, Adventureland built 3 coasters in 5 years. A growth plan this aggressive suggested a park poised for world domination, but by the late 90s, Adventureland's coaster well dried up. 

Much of the last 15 years was spent beefing up the waterpark; a move that has become all too common for the typical region park looking for a cost effective competitive edge. 

Storm Chaser was park's biggest non-waterpark addition since Dragon. The addition showed renewed commitment in Adventureland's dry side, but still no one expected an investment of this magnitude.

Can the city of Des Moines give this ride the attention it deserves? Will the park see a good return on this venture? Could it forecast another significant coaster before the decade is out?

Time will tell. :}

Before Monster, Adventureland's next-newest coaster is 1996's quirky Custom Coasters Intl coaster/dark ride hybrid, The Underground.

The strange little ride treats you to a pre-show before whisking you through a series of steel tunnels featuring charmingly-hokey animatronics.

CCI not only built the coaster, but also the rolling stock: a one-of-a-kind 24-passenger train made of steel. It has no seatbelt and no seat dividers; just a ratcheting T-bar restraint. They were the only ride vehicles CCI ever built. 

Adventureland has some particularly scenic areas. I'd just kinda assumed the park was just going to be nothing but corn. x}

Lookie what we have here!

It's not every day you see a Hrubetz Hurricane! Like all of the park's 70s-era attractions, a great deal of care has gone into making "The Lighthouse" ride look exactly the way it did when the park opened in 1974.

The only difference is a few new looming steel giants in the background.

On the left is a very lovely Himalaya ride, situated in a custom structure once occupied by the park's carrousel (now located at the park entrance).

Adventureland's lake hosts a thriving community of catfish and carp. 

Thousands of fish drift about on the water's surface in hopes of catching a snack tossed by passers by. 

I'm not sure what kind of catfish these are, but as adults they're only about a foot long.

FOOD!

I swear this park would be the object of every coaster enthusiast's affection if only it were a little easier to get to.

Ever have you seen a nicer Himalaya? :}

Oh no. Here we go.

Even the height sign is a total throwback! Does anyone remember when Cedar Point had signs like these for every ride?

Nathan and I decided to procrastinate and leave Dragon for later.

Hey, another carousel building! Without a carousel! 

The other former carousel building actually leads to a continuation of the midway that brings guests to the back of the park.

The back of Adventureland is home to the water park, a WhiteWaterWest spinning raft ride, and Outlaw! 

Plus some nice views of Tornado!

Built in 1993, Outlaw was CCI's second project following the family-sized "Sky Princess" at Dutch Wonderland in 1992. Outlaw's designer, Mike Boodley, would split off from CCI shortly after Outlaw's debut to start Great Coasters International. 

Outlaw was the template upon which the first GCI coasters were based. It bares a great deal of resemblance to GCI's first project, Hersheypark's Wildcat (although honestly Outlaw has a lot more oomph to it). 

Outlaw gets a little sleepy towards the back half of its layout, but the first half is ballin'! And with those buzz bar trains, you really get the most out of those negative G's.

The WWW spinning raft ride is wedged in between Outlaw and the tree line. 

If it's anything like the one at Six Flags New England, it's probably lame and not worth a 5 minute wait.

But the locals really seem to like it.

Time to cross back over to Adventureland's little island to take on Dragon.  Seen here is Dragon's pre-lift "wiggly bit."

"Wiggly bit or no, I am the superior attraction" say Tornado.

Dragon has a miniature dragon companion ride that is totally cute.

I love amusement parks that are pretty enough to pass for a really nice traditional public park. 

Ok, time to ride Dragon.

WAIT I NEED THIS PICTURE OF OUTLAW.

Ok I'm done. Dragon time.

Dragon's station was formerly home to a haunted house, which was once located at Des Moines's Riverview Amusement Park. Adventureland bought and closed the park in 1979 and moved some of the attractions to their little island to create a Riverview-themed area.

I'm sure the locals were just thrilled with that move. 

My first looping coaster was another Hopkins wonder, Castles 'n' Coasters' "Desert Storm." Dragon really took me back, although Desert Storm's lapbar-only trains give a much more comfortable ride. 

Desert Storm had shoulder harnesses when it opened in 1992, but the ride experience was so bad that the trains were swapped for the shoulder harness-less trains that Dragon opened with.

I know that sounds like the craziest, dumbest thing ever, but apparently it's true.

The ride wasn't terrible, but it wasn't exactly good either. 

Fortunately it's oozing with curb appeal.

There they go!

They're about to be in a lot of pain in about 5 seconds.

Bye.

Part of the park's old dark ride was a house of mirrors, which still remain at Dragon's exit.

Here's Storm Chaser.

Yes, I rode it.

No, I didn't enjoy it. 

You guys look at this tree.

It looks like they deliberately planted this tree directly under the sky ride so that they could eventually have it grow around it. 

THROUGH THE TREE!

THROUGH THE MONSTER!

See that cable thing on Monster's lift? It's a new repelling system that can be used if they need to evacuate the lift. 

Take a moment to appreciate this funky little overbanked turn. There's trim brakes right before that turn into a major hangtime experience.

Monster is overhead!

Not one, not two, but three times!

You spend so much time out of your seat on this one. I would say 40% airtime, 60% hang time. Not bad for a steel looper!

Monster went through several short breakdowns throughout the day. Just simple sensor trips that just requited a reset and a few empty dispatches. 

Here's Monster's tight li'l Immelmann.

And the suuuuuper drawn out corkscrew finale!

Hi.

The rest of the sky ride is also nice, if not quite as eventful as the Monster part.

There's our little main street w/ carousel.

This arcade houses a special surprise!

A Huss Breakdance!

Adventureland has a long stretch of midway full of flat rides. One end is capped with a Ferris Wheel.

There's a train hiding in those trees!

Here's a shot of Adventureland's small-but-respectable collection of tall things. 

Woo! We're up high.

From here Dragon barely breaks the horizon. 

Such a pretty park. :}

Next to the Ferris Wheel is a swinging ship,

which is next to this odd Top Spin-style ride,

which is next to this!!

It's a Philadelphia Toboggan Company Cuddle-Up ride!! :D

The Top Spin-ish thing gives a GREAT ride!

Strong G-forces, intense flipping, long ride cycle. 

It's fit for the German Fair Circuit!

Sky Ride Round 2!

Seen here is Monster casually sailing over the sky ride with the greatest of ease.

Just look at that delicious hang time. 

And doesn't that airtime hill look delicious?

Cheers to the Monster crew for getting trains out every 45 seconds or so. 

Let's hang out. 

Lol the Space Shot looks like a support beam.

Did I mention Monster is totally silent?

Magnetic anti-rollbacks and brakes, sand-filled track, silent wheels. All that can be heard are the squeals of Monster's victims!

This is just the prettiest ride. 

I don't know.

Up and over!

HANDS UP

Incoming!

Monster's modest li'l station. Sponsored by Home Depot.

Stuff.

Adventureland has some awesome merchandise!

Look at these!

The snow globe has a tiny li'l Monster in it! :D

Nice magnets.

BEST MAGNET!

Look at this shot glass. Not only does it it have a picture of WindSeeker on it, but it's got "Storm Chaser" written with WindSeeker's logo design! 

Ok. More Monster madness!

This twist is so sharp that you'll probably end up smacking the person on your left if your hands are up. 

brb Monster.

Nathan and I are leaving the park for dinner. But first...

A picture with Bernie Bernard!

Time for lunch!

Think I ordered enough food? lol

Back :}

More selections from Adventureland's flat ride corridor.

Paratrooper!

This park really has some of the nicest looking kiddie rides I've ever seen.

A bridge over the lake takes guests to an otherwise invisible river rapids ride. 

It's a nice ride, but capacity was terrible. 

I had some friends who were at the park the next day, and they said they waited over an hour!

There's the train!

From here it kinda just looks like the train is tooling around an apartment complex.

From the train I got a shot of the Cuddle-Up actually running.

This would be a nice park to have a season pass in. You could just come and hang out and enjoy the atmosphere.

It's the perfect park for families.

A now-rare Chance Inverter occupies the spot once home to an S.D.C. Galaxi coaster, hence the huge queue and large amount of unoccupied space. Looks like a prime spot for another compact coaster to me!

Better shot of the Paratrooper!

Better shot of Monster. 

I just love this ride! I for real need an Infinity coaster in every state. Starting with New York. 

Of course we did another ride on the lovely Tornado.

And the sky ride!

Hello you mess.

Another corkscrew shot!

No train this time. Just appreciate the twisty-ness.

And I love the look of this...whateveryacallit.

Drifting right along. 

I love the look of their Scrambler decals. 

Let's take a moment to appreciate this Coca Cola clock.

Except for maybe the Coke Zero panel, I bet this looks exactly like how it did in 1974.

You guessed it. More Monster photos.

Sorta looks like a pretzel from here. I love pretzels. :}

*slow mo dive*

Radioactive Monster.

I'm getting to that point in the update where I'm running out of things to say.

I don't normally run into this problem, but I had a feeling it would happen on this update.

Y'know...because of the egregious number of Monster photos I took. 

Of course, there are worse things in the world than running out of things to say while looking at a beautiful coaster.

You know, like a hard drive crash. 

Or the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election.

Ok I think this one's my favorite.

Things are winding down now at Adventureland. 

Monster has an exquisite lighting package, but with an 8pm closing it was nowhere near dark enough to enjoy it. 

woo

We were on the last train of the day. Lucky us. :}

I got a shirt from the park that has Space Shot on it. It's an odd thing to have on a shirt, so I had to buy it! They also had a river rapids shirt (also bought). 

You know I couldn't end the update without one more tilt shift.

Ok. That's it! That's everything!

Bye Monster!

After departing Adventureland, I high-tailed it to Missouri for ACE's Outlaw Run Rendezvous and an impromptu visit to Six Flags St. Louis. Had a fabulous time with great people.

Fast forward to the last week of June. My hard drive has a meltdown and I was too dumb to remember to back up my Missouri pictures before taking them off my SD card.


Oops.


I used to be way better about backing up my photos. When Thrillography was new, I would always move my photos over to my external hard drive as soon as my photo processing was complete, and only then would I delete photos from my SD card. As time passed I got more relaxed and complacent about backing up photos. I reached a point where I kinda stopped caring if my photos were backed up. They're just photos, right? I don't really care, right? 

Losing the Missouri photos wasn't a big deal. It was either that or spend $175+ to "rescue" my files on a new external hard drive. I had the money, but it seemed irresponsible to spend that kinda cash on something that I should've been smart enough to prevent. So I let the pictures go. 

The hard part wasn't losing the pictures. The hard part was feeling so embarrassed about making a rookie mistake. The day I lost the pictures was a nightmare. I was on the phone with Apple Support over an hour the night before, made an appointment to go to an Apple Store in Manhattan, troubleshooted everything, got sent to Tekserve to get a quote on hard drive rescue, went back to the Apple Store to tell them it wasn't worth it for me to save the hard drive, had them reformat everything, went back home to set my computer up from scratch, couldn't get the damn thing to work, called Apple Support again, couldn't find answers, went to a different Apple Store in Queens, got told that there weren't any appointments available for the next two days, told them my story and begged them to look at the laptop, had them look at it up and down all over again only to be told that the problem was a mere $17 part and that my hard drive didn't need to be formatted after all. 

I was relieved that my 4 year old laptop didn't need an expensive fix or a replacement, but I couldn't shake my frustration with myself and with Apple (for not finding the real source of my problem before they wiped my hard drive).

Cest la vie.

Backing up my files is my responsibility, not Apple's. Besides, they're just pictures, right? I don't really care, right? 

Once my computer was restored, operating system reinstalled, music re-uploaded, and files re-accounted for, I decided it was time for a break from the computer. My new job with the airline had afforded me incredible opportunities to visit different theme parks literally every week, but the major influx of parks created a back-up here at Thrillography that could not be addressed while also adjusting to the drastically different lifestyle of flying for a living. Every spare moment of time I could find was spent keeping up with Thrillography. That held up for a few months, but when my hard drive crashed, so too did I. Once I rebooted I felt fragile, so I took a break. 


Fast forward to now.


Here we are, folks.


I'm 25 years old now, I've got the greatest job in the world, and I sure as shit didn't take this path so I could not ride roller coasters, not take pictures, and not write Thrillography.

Buckle up, fam. 

:}