Lake Erie [South Bass Island->Cedar Point]

we also used the family boat to take, what is becoming, our annual trip to cedar point. if you've never been to cedar point, go. it's the epitome of an american amusement park...the best i've heard!

it's about an hour boat ride over to cedar point. it's rather enjoyable during the day.

cedar point at arrival [yes, we rode the yellow one!]

we take advantage of their starlight pass. basically half price, it gives you about five hours to get as dizzy as you can before the park closes.

here are a few artsy photos of the mantis. not the best, but will get your heading spinning and your knees aching:





we made it to all of the best [all we wanted to ride] roller coasters.

here's the 2008 list with commentary:

1. mantis
2. millennium force [we will only right this after dark]
3. maverick [follow my brother's instructions, 'keep your shit in your pockets!" during the ride, a nickel hit my foot and lodged between my foot and flipflop. it was not mine...i don't carry nickels. i gave it back to the guy in front of me.]
4. cedar creek mine ride [it will blow your mind!]
5. gemini [andrea's favorite... she could ride this all day!]
   
6. magnum xl-200 [i've heard rumors that fabio's face got destroyed by a seagull on this ride...can anyone confirm this?]
7. corkscrew [this gave andrea a nice bruise on her left bicep!]
8. top thrill dragster [try screaming on take off. but if you choke...it's not my fault!]
9. disaster transport [andrea convinced me that we needed to ride this...the scariest part about this ride was that if the cars stopped, nobody would find you for days!]
10. raptor [one of andrea's favorites! your feet dangle and you spin upside down!]

we even had time to sit down and inhale two big-hot-soft preztels and a mountain dew between rides! next year, we'll hit up the blue streak [the original roller coaster], mean streak [we'll only ride this ever other year as it's basically like being shoved into a milkcrate and being kicked down five flights of stairs], and the demon drop [i've never riden this].



after the coasters, we hit up famous dave's barbecue, which is dockside. after our stomaches are filled with beef, we get one final ride! the boat ride home in the dark! if you've never been out on lake erie at night, find some one experienced and try it out!

we had a lot of fun this year and already look forward to next year!

Lake Erie [South Bass Island->Kelley's Island]

one of my favorite things that i love about my parents living on an island is transportation by a boat. we were taught at a very young age a variety of boating skills and etiquette. the current family boat was built for us in south carolina and is starting it's ninth successful summer season. it is a C-Hawk and is named after my grandfather; E.M. Trisler.

the greatest thing about the family boat is that it's sitting at the dock, ready to go whenever you want (except for having to wash the mayflies off in the summer!)

so when andrea and i are home visiting, if the lake's not
frozen, we try to spend a little time on the boat.

andrea takes to running the boat with no problem!

one of the places i feel most 'at home.'

on the way to eat dinner at the Village Pump on Kelley's
Island. they have the best perch on lake erie, next to my
mom!

we normally dock at the casino. it's not really a casino...
come to think about it, i've been docking there for fifteen
years and have no idea why it's called the casino.

the pump.

the pump is 'world' famous for their brandy alexanders.

the way home.

back home before the sun set.