11 responses to “Gemini.”

1. 

   brian stouder said on August 14, 2008 at 2:41 pm

   Google tells me they built Demon Drop in 1983 and Gemini in 1978; and I know that before Demon Drop existed, some buddies of mine and I rode every big ride there, including Gemini, which was the biggest ride there at the time. (1980?)

   I always HATE the climb up the first hill, and I always shout every profanity I know, and make up some new ones along the way. As the ride progresses, I always hang on as tight as I possibly can (raising hands up just ain’t never gonna happen!). Blue Streak struck me as fun (after the first hill), as did Gemini; didn’t like Corkscrew or Wildcat….so I learned I like wooden coasters – and Gemini would be the one biggie that I can say I enjoyed the most……but coasters ain’t for me! In later years, I only had to take one look at big steel monsters like Magnum (et al) to know that I’d never, ever, ever ride them*.

   *if NASA offered me a free Shuttle ride, but one of the conditions was to ride all these sadistic rides at the big theme parks, THEN I’d do it – because there’d be a purpose!

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2. 

   Danny said on August 14, 2008 at 3:09 pm

   Who is this carny chick who has taken over the blog?

   Burns (JC), release the hounds!

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3. 

   joodyb said on August 14, 2008 at 3:28 pm

   like air travel and silicone spatulas, they defy modern belief.

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4. 

   Dexter said on August 14, 2008 at 5:46 pm

   I remember when this was built…same year my daughter was born. I enjoyed it immensely.
   I rode The Corkscrew one time. I was hung over to begin with and that damn ride affected my ears for a long time…ringing and pressure…docs couldn’t really tell me wha’hoppen…but I always loved the good ol’ Blue Streak. The Magnum was fun, too. My first roller coaster ride was at Santa Cruz on the boardwalk . Awesome…I was hooked for years, but I retired a long time ago from the fun.

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5. 

   caliban said on August 14, 2008 at 7:08 pm

   Old times, in Detroit, there was Lakeside, with a wooden coaster and an extremely scary Wild Mouse.

   There are also carney rides to consider, like the Zipper. My kid, Emily, knew no fear. Neither did I but for her safety. I mean she had to outlive me.

   Nasncy loves Detroit

   I wouldn’t say a thing about wierd priests, but we had Fr. Flannacan. So, these places are hotbeds for wierdos?

   I’m stymied here And it comes to me. Nancy’s an ocassionalyl brilliant writer.Nancy thinks shes a clue about detroit music. Thinks she has it wrapped.

   Musically, those days, you had SRC and MC5.

   In the late 60s Wverybody decided Eric was God. Notwithstanfing Jimi, that could put him in the ground, and Neil and Steven. It’s always astounded me that people would listen to the little stingers on For What It’s Worth. The whole thingk is the rhythm guitar and Steven’s vocal

   But every one of you gets to bote. Anybody doesn’t feel diminished and sullied by what the Lerry identified everything as a police matter, Su wasn’t rigtht?

   Fact is, W and the PMAC turned out to be idiots

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6. 

   Colleen said on August 14, 2008 at 8:56 pm

   Gemini was my first coaster ride. With my dad. I was in high school, I think.

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7. 

   Catherine said on August 14, 2008 at 11:48 pm

   My neck has never been the same since going on the Viper at Magic Mountain, circa 1994. Possibly the first inkling that middle age was really going to happen.

   But I still loves me a good coaster — no drop rides, though. What Nancy said about FAA lighting. My personal favorite: the Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster at MGM Studios/Walt Disney World. Lots of Aerosmith playing in the line, good line theming, then there’s an amusing video where the band invites you to join them in their limo on the way to their concert. Then, with “Sweet Emotion” blasting, you start to giggle, and you’re accelerated from 0 to 60 in less than 3 seconds. Awesome, dude.

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8. 

   James said on August 15, 2008 at 7:05 am

   I rode the Demon Drop at Cedar Point back around then (1983-ish). When I got off, I was shaking like an old man, and now when I fly commercial jets, and they hit a little air-pocket, I instantly flash-back to that experience.

   Easily the stupidest thing I ever got talked into.

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9. 

   Jen said on August 15, 2008 at 8:15 am

   The Gemini is a fun coaster, though I can find fewer and fewer people to go on the old wooden coasters with me. My mom and sister, both of whom love going on roller coasters, say they jar them too much. The steel ones are a lot smoother and faster, but I still love a good wooden coaster. My first coaster was the Blue Streak at Cedar Point.

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10. 

    brian stouder said on August 15, 2008 at 9:41 am

    And another thrill ride – involving (as the article reports) thumping music, banging headboards and screamed obscenities

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26207560/

    Hopefully the boyfriend (who is legally banned from coming [so to speak] within 500 feet of the aprtment) paid at least half the $560 fine, levied upon his girlfriend!

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11. 

    del said on August 15, 2008 at 10:10 am

    I got stuck on the Wildcat at Cedar Point as a kid. Funny, instinct takes over, nobody moves while its stuck — or freaks. I’ve been on the Magnum, Gemini, Corkscrew and the Blue Streak was about as good as any of ’em. There is no substitute for the long, slow, clackety-clack climb . . .

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