My Favorite Summer Pastime: Roller Coaster Thrills and Chills

Some people think I'm a daredevil. I don't agree. Others think I'm a little touched in the head. Well, yeah, maybe, but not for the same reasons they think I am. You see, I have this hobby that I simply can't resist, and the unfortunate thing about it is I can only indulge in it during the summer months. You see, one of my favorite things to do during the summer is ride roller coasters, the higher and faster and crazier the better.

Many of my longtime readers can attest to my love of roller coasters. I've written many an article on them, from profiles of amusement parks to news of new ones coming out. I sometimes get so excited when news of a new coaster becomes available that I just can't help but get it out there as soon as I can. I'm also a card carrying member of American Coaster Enthusiasts, or ACE. I'm kind of a coaster dork that way.

Anyway, my love of the wondrous thrill machines first started when I was about 16 years old. My family headed out one summer night to Rye Playland up in Westchester County and my cousin talked me into riding the park's landmark Dragon Coaster. Up until that point in my life, I had always been terrified to even try one, but I loved every second of it -- I was hooked.

Since that night, I've ridden so many roller coasters that I lost count. I ride them whenever I get the chance, and a summer never goes by without me riding at least a few of them. Unfortunately I live on Long Island and I usually have to travel far to ride, but it's always worth the time in the car to quench my thirst for the thrills I get from my hobby.

Over the years I've traveled near and far to indulge in my favorite summertime hobby. Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, the home of Kingda Ka, is the closest and most visited park. Every once in awhile I take extended weekend roller coaster jaunts to Pennsylvania's Dorney and Hershey Parks, and Virginia's Busch Gardens and King's Dominion, but my best coaster trip happened just last summer.

Luckily, one of my best buddies is also a coaster enthusiast and he, another friend and I all took a long road trip from New York to Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh just to ride roller coasters. In all, we rode 23 coasters in four separate parks: Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH, King's Island, near Cincinnati, OH, Kennywood, Pittsburgh, PA and Knoebel's in Elysburgh, PA. Needless to say, for a roller coaster freak like me, it was a little slice of coaster heaven. In fact, Knoebel's wasn't even on our agenda, but we saw a sign on the highway headed towards Ohio and took an hour and a half detour to go and ride their two coasters. It was a blast!

So far this year the only coaster trip I'm planning is to Canada's Wonderland outside of Toronto, Canada. It'll be my first time there and I'm excited about it. As for the rest of the summer, who knows what it will bring. There's always the Cyclone at Coney Island, the Dragon Coaster at Rye Playland, Six Flags and others within striking distance. Wherever the summer takes me, you know I'll be riding somewhere.

I know that my summer pastime is not your usual hobby, but I can never get enough of those wooden and steel behemoths that bring me so much pleasure. If you've ever had the experience and either loved it or hated it, I'd love to hear your stories! Until then, happy riding!

Here are some slideshows I've posted on some of the parks I've been to:

Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY

Cedar Point, Parts I and II

Stay tuned to my pages for upcoming pieces and slideshows on my favorite pastime, roller coasters! Thanks for reading.