Alpengeist lived up to all of my expectations and more. I’ll say it again, it’s one of the most intense rides I’ve ever had on an invert...
Three months ago Sam and I were talking about her desire to get into the coaster hobby. At the time, she had only ridden eight coasters, and quite honestly, most of them freaked her out. From some of our previous experiences at parks like Kings Dominion, I had my doubts that this hobby was for her. Still, she’s a good friend of mine and I wanted her to help her, if I could. I mean, who better to help with overcoming a fear of coasters than a friend who has almost rode 400 of them? I was going to try my best.
With Sam’s inclusion on this site, and my plans to publish trip reports for each park I visit, I came up with the idea to chronicle her journey along the way throughout the summer. This is how the Summer of Sam title came to fruition. I would have never guessed that title would go on to appear 11 times in just three months. Even the Summer of Sam preview blog, “July 2020 – Kicking Off the Summer of Sam?” was technically a question, since I wasn’t sure how it would go. I would have never expected that the Sam I went to Hersheypark with a few days later, on July 3, would turn into the Sam I went to Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW) on September 11. Talk about a transformation!
It’s pretty safe to say that Sam’s fear of coasters has almost completely vanished now. It still pops its head out from time to time, but after earning herself 39 credits that include some monsters like Skyrush and El Toro, I’m thinking there won’t be a coaster she won’t try before long. It’s so crazy to write that remembering where she was just three months ago!
With today being the first day of fall, that means the Summer of Sam has come to its conclusion. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to do the site’s first Q&A, looking back over the last few months of Sam’s journey. This is her story, not only of getting over her fears, but of all the awesome parks and badass coasters she got to experience along the way. I’m proud of you Sam and can’t wait to continue these adventures moving forward.
Overcoming the Fear & Anxiety
Q. On July 2, 2020 I published a blog titled, “July 2020 – Kicking Off The Summer of Sam?” In it, I talked about how you were looking to get over your fears of roller coasters and expand your budding love for this hobby. I spoke about our upcoming trips to Hersheypark and Six Flag America (SFA) that were slated to happen later that week. I also mentioned a few other parks and ideas I had in mind throughout the summer for you. Would you have ever imagined that we would do as much as we ended up doing before the summer came to and close?
A. Honestly, no. I really didn’t expect us to go on as many adventures as we did. Roller coasters were always an iffy thing for me, but I’m so glad that I ended up liking them! Even if I still get the first ride of the day jitters.
Q. Before we get into this coaster related questions, can you touch upon what it’s like when the anxiety hits for you when presented with riding a roller coaster? Is it all mental, or do you physically feel it too?
A. Most of the time it’s just mental. I always think it’s going to be terrible and then I end up loving it every time. The only real physical part is sometimes I will shake a little out of fear for my impending doom at the prospect of riding a new, big scary coaster.
Q. Did this fear of roller coasters stem from any particular experience with one in the past, or is it just an overall general fear type of thing?
A. I think it’s mostly just a general fear. I do have a memory of my mom getting me on one of the roller coasters at Sesame Place when I was a kid, though. The thing absolutely terrified me! Up until recently, exploring new coasters with you and the rest of the crew, I never thought I would love riding roller coasters. Oh, how the times have changed.
Q. Even as late as our Dorney Park trip on August 13, your nerves had you rattled walking up onto Talon, our first ride at the park for the day. You mentioned that sometimes you just need to get that first one out of the way. Why do you think it’s usually the first one and then it’s over?
A. It’s definitely just getting the first ride of the day out of the way. I like to think I’ve been better about not having the first ride of the day jitters though, especially by time we’d been to Hersheypark for the third time!
Q. Just one week later, you had your first trip to Six Flags Great Adventure (SFGAdv). Granted, we started off with Dark Knight, but it seemed like you had no anxiety going right to Batman the Ride, or Nitro, your fourth hyper coaster, immediately afterward. Was that the case, or were you hiding it? If you didn’t experience the anxiety, do you think it is something you’re starting to overcome, or do you think it might be something that is always present?
A. I don’t think it happened much at SFGadv because, by then, I was more comfortable with riding coasters and it being a real hobby of mine. It also helped that the Dark Knight was just a dumpy indoor Wild Mouse, which was just made worse by having sunlight shine into the building thanks to Covid-19.
I really wasn’t worried about Batman the Ride since I’ve grown to absolutely love Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) inverts. They don’t really scare me off at all anymore.
I was a little bit scared of Nitro, but it’s always just getting past the scary, tall first drop. Then I have a blast the rest of the ride. I really think it’ll always be present but, I’m starting to think it’s just part of the fun.
Conquering Her Fears at Numerous Parks
Q. Okay, let’s talk about some parks and coasters. When the site launched, we had only been to Adventure Park USA (APUSA), Clementon Park, Kings Dominion, and Knoebels together. You were a Rank 4 Ensign on the Flight Crew page. Today, however, you’re a Rank 13 Commander, making you the third highest ranked wingman on the site. You only follow James and Mindy now. How does that make you feel?
A. It makes me feel awesome. The site really helped me figure out a new hobby and a fun thing I can do with my friends. It also helps me feel accomplished because it shows me that I’m getting over my previous fear of roller coasters.
Q. Here are all the parks you have visited since the site’s launch. Give me some feedback about each of these trips we made throughout the summer:
- Hersheypark (Opening Day) – I was happy to go to my favorite park, with one of my best friends, for my birthday! It sucked that I started to feel under the weather, probably from the heat in combination with having to wear a face mask. I still had a lot of fun just hanging out with you for my birthday gift though. Love ya, Pat.
- Six Flags America – It was about as impressive as I thought it would be based on everything I was told about it and through various YouTube videos. Thanks, Chris from Airtime Thrills! I did get to ride my first hyper coaster in Superman: Ride of Steel, which was fun, although it’d be better if it didn’t have those awkward leg restraints. I’m hoping we get back soon so that I can collect Firebird and Jokers Jinx seeing as I chickened out on both of them the first time.
- Hersheypark (Work Trip) – Our second trip to Hersheypark was so much better than the first, seeing as I wasn’t feeling under the weather this time! It was even more fun to have our big group with Mindy and Mailyn. It was my first time meeting them and they were so cool and amazing to spend the day with. Mai even helped me scope out real estate opportunities from the stop of Great Bear’s lift hill – that way I could find the best spot to build a house by my favorite park!
- Wisp Resort – This was my first mountain coaster credit and it was just as fun as I thought it would be. It felt like the ride was over in a flash, which was sad. I still loved the view and zooming down the mountain without a care in the world.
- Lakemont Park – A surprise trip that you took me on after Wisp! I was wondering where you’d be taking me all day and I was not disappointed with my surprise. We got to ride the world’s oldest roller coaster! And Skyliner too, but that was not as impressive to me.
- Camelback Mountain Adventures (CMA) – Easily my favorite of the two mountain coaster credits I have. It felt much more scenic and it was so fun to just whiz through the forest.
- Dorney Park – It’s always a great time with Greg and Renee. Both of them are such a treat to be around. Dorney also featured my favorite coaster, Hydra: The Revenge! Well, for like a month.
- Six Flags Great Adventure – A way better Six Flags park than SFA. I was so excited to ride El Toro and Nitro. That trip helped me find my new favorite woodie and number one hyper coaster. Not to mention, my best friend, Alissa, came with us.
- Hersheypark (Labor Day) – Hershey is my favorite park, so getting to go for a third time this season was awesome. Even though it started off as a Six Flags day with my favorite coaster there, Great Bear, breaking down, and then Wildcat getting stuck on the lift hill. But, hey, at least I found my new second favorite ride in the park in Skyrush!
- Go-Karts Plus – Even though all that was there was a little Python Pit, it was still fun because hanging out with you and Greg is always a fantastic time.
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW) – This trip was amazing. It was the first time I’d been to BGW and had the nerve to ride some coasters. It was also great to get to hang out with you, Greg, Chris D., and Carrie.
Q. During all those trips, you managed to land 39 new credits. What are some of the coasters you enjoyed the most, or were most memorable to you? Why?
A. Some of the most memorable coasters were Superman: Ride of Steel, the Wisp Mountain Coaster, Leap the Dips, Hydra: The Revenge, and Griffon. All of those were my firsts of some kind – hyper coaster, mountain coaster, oldest coaster, B&M floorless, and B&M dive. Not to mention, Hydra was my favorite coaster for about a month until I came face to face with the ghost of the Alps at BGW.
Speaking of, Alpengeist, it was by far the most stand-out coaster and B&M invert I rode all summer, especially after we got a back row ride. It’s one of the most intense and amazing rides on a coaster I’ve ever experienced.
Nitro, at SFGAdv, also stood out to me and was the hyper coaster I enjoyed the most. For once, I wasn’t stapled and felt so much consistent floater airtime, which I have never experienced on another coaster.
Griffon was also so memorable because that first drop is absolutely no joke, even if I was too scared to hold my hands up! It absolutely lifted me up out of my seat until we hit the first Immelmann.
Q. One of my happiest moments for you was getting you your first hyper coaster in Superman: Ride of Steel at SFA. I know you were terrified, but now you’ve managed to ride five hypers – six if we count Griffon being over 200 feet. Can you talk about what was going through your mind getting on Superman: Ride of Steel and how that has changed since?
A. My first thought on Superman, as we started climbing up the lift hill was, well, to put it simply, “Oh sh*t.” It was absolutely terrifying, but still loads of fun. I think it being so scary was actually part of the fun, honestly! Superman helped me in a weird way, embrace the fear of roller coasters and turn it into part of the charm and fun of riding them.
Q. Of all those hyper coasters, which one was your favorite and why?
A. Without a doubt, it would be Nitro from SFGAdv. For once, I wasn’t stapled to my seat in a ride that’s supposed to provide floater airtime. And boy, did Nitro have loads of it. I don’t think my butt was in my seat on that coaster at any point after we dropped off the lift hill. It was so amazing to feel so much sustained floater airtime and it just blew me away with how fun it was.
Q. The one I was most impressed with seeing you ride was Skyrush, when we went to Hersheypark on Labor Day. You even said it’s now your second favorite ride at the park. Can you talk a little about what it was like conquering that ride finally, knowing its reputation of intensity?
A. It felt amazing for me to finally conquer something that’s so widely known for its intensity. Hell, it’s nickname among enthusiasts is “Thigh crush!” That’s what mostly scared me away from it for so long. Getting on four hypers in the months prior made me say, “F*ck it! I wanna ride!” I’m so happy that it didn’t disappoint and became my second favorite ride in the park, and my second favorite hyper. Up next, Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion. I’m coming for you when you open in 2021!
Q. Speaking of favorites, when We Were Inverted launched, you were head over heels in love with Great Bear and Lightning Racer at Hersheypark. They comprised your favorite steel and favorite wood coasters at the time. Along our journeys you managed to find new favorites in each category. Care to share some info about each of these new favorites?
- Steel: Alpengeist – I absolutely love B&M inverted roller coasters, so it was no surprise that my favorite steel coaster is still one of the same model. From the theming, to the scenery, and overall ride intensity, Alpengeist lived up to all of my expectations and more. I’ll say it again, it’s one of the most intense rides I’ve ever had on an invert, or any coaster to date, while riding in the back row.
- Wood: El Toro – I also had high hopes and expectations for this Intamin prefab. It 100 percent lived up to its high praises – providing an intense and thrilling ride, full of ejector airtime. It was just perfect from start to finish. “Surprisingly awesome for an Intamin!” – a quote from B&M fangirl.
Q. You really are a B&M fan girl. Maybe they should send you some free merch? Is it safe to say that they’re currently your favorite coaster manufacturer? What is it about their rides that you have come to like?
A. I would absolutely love it if they sent me merch. Please B&M, I love you! There is no doubt that they are my favorite manufacturer. I just love the smoothness of their rides that still manage to provide intensity and thrills.
Q. Okay, tough one. I want you to rank, in order from favorite to least favorite, all the B&M coasters you’ve ridden. And… go!
A. Oh no. Okay, here we go. Starting at the top: Alpengeist, Nitro, Griffon, Hydra: The Revenge, Talon, Great Bear, Candymonium, Bizzaro, and Batman the Ride coming in at last.
Q. A long time ago, many years before the formation of B&M, a coaster named Leap the Dips was built. It’s the world’s oldest roller coaster and one you were able to experience during a surprise visit to Lakemont Park in August. While not the wildest, fastest, or tallest ride out there, I’m betting you are still happy that you got to ride it and have that credit on your credits list. Can you talk about what it was like riding the world’s oldest coaster?
A. I’m absolutely thrilled to have Leap the Dips be part of my credit count. It’s just a cool thing to be able to say that I’ve ridden the world’s oldest roller coaster! Even if it did bust my butt.
Q. The same day that you rode Leap the Dips you also rode your first mountain coaster at Wisp Resort. Later that same month, you rode your second when we went up to CMA with Renee and Greg. What are your overall feelings on mountain coasters in general? Would you like to do more of them if the opportunity presents itself?
A. I would love to ride more mountain coasters in the future! They’re just so fun and scenic, which is why I love riding them.
Q. While you’ve been collecting credits this summer, are there any coasters that you’re upset that you were not able to secure during our visits?
A. I really wish that I could’ve gotten on Jokers Jinx at SFA. I literally walked off of it in the station because I was just too scared to get on it, even after conquering Superman. Hopefully we can get a trip back there soon. I think I’m more upset about being unable to ride Storm Runner at Hersheypark since it was closed down for the season. Ugh. Verbolten was also a credit I was sad about missing because I’ve heard so much about it and it’s spectacular theming. Just my luck with experiencing my first launch coaster.
Q. On a side note, during one of our recent visits to the restaurant where we met Greg, we were talking about Clementon Park. We visited that park a few years ago with Elaina, her boyfriend, Austin, and our friend, Brian after a day at the Philadephia Museum of Art. When we arrived, Hellcat was down and it stayed down for most of our short visit. Thankfully, it did resume right before we left, but you did not ride it with the rest of us. You said you now regret not getting to ride it since the park is now closed. Should that park ever reopen, would you like to head back up there to get that janky Custom Coasters International (CCI) credit?
A. I would just love to get that janky and rough credit if the park ever opens back up. I’ve been on Wildcat at Hersheypark, so it can’t be too much worse than that thing, can it? ElToroRyan seemed to have such a fun time on Hellcat.
Post Summer Plans for Sam
Q. Now that summer is over, is it safe to say that this really was the Summer of Sam? What are some of your favorite memories from these last few months?
A. It was amazing to meet Greg and hang out with him. He’s so excitable and fun to ride coasters with. Also, getting to see Renee again was great. I hadn’t seen her since she started her teaching career. It was just so fun to hang out with my friends and make new ones along the way!
Q. Just because this summer is over, it doesn’t mean we won’t be riding roller coasters anymore. With some holiday events coming up, I’m thinking we should attend a few. You down?
A. Absolutely. I really want to go to the Hersheypark Christmas event this year and maybe even Hersheypark in the Dark, if we could. Howl-O-Scream at BGW would be just as fun too, especially if Chris and Carrie can come with us. Not to mention, how much I want to go to Kings Island in general, especially after you showed me that cool skeleton key/lanyard you got at their Halloween event with Mindy in 2017! Maybe next year we could plan that one out.
Q. If we look further out, we have also talked about the idea of getting you to your bucket list park, Dollywood, in the summer of 2021. That area is also surrounded by six mountain coasters, the last time I checked. We also said on the way home that we can stop by Carowinds for Fury 325. And hey, we could always swing by Kings Dominion on the way home too and get you i305! Sound like a plan?
A. Yes, that sounds like a perfect plan!
Q. Do you think you have it in you to ride even more coasters next summer that you did this summer? That’s going to be hard to top without some travel, although we do have several options.
A. I definitely want to get on more coasters next year. I’m so excited that I’ve discovered this hobby and I’m happy to embrace it and go even farther next year. Hopefully without Covid protocols at the parks too.
Q. Are there any parks, both closer to us and maybe a little farther out, that you’d like to experience one day? What are a few of those parks and what has you most wanting to visit them?
A. Well, I mentioned Kings Island before. I’d love to head up there and maybe hit Cedar Point while we’re at it. I really want to ride Banshee and Diamondback at Kings Island. Nabbing their woodies with Beast and Mystic Timbers would also be fantastic. Then ride even more at Cedar Point. They’re like a B&M heaven with Raptor, Gatekeeper, and Valravn. Cedar Point also has Steel Vengeance, Top Thrill Dragster, Magnum XL 200, Millennium Force, and Maverick too! Ugh, both parks just have such perfect ride collections that I want to experience.
Q. Any final thoughts on this summer of riding roller coasters and all the experiences we shared throughout those amazing journeys?
A. This summer was honestly the best summer I’ve ever had, which is ironic with all of the Covid related things going on. I think just getting to hang out and have thrills with my friends, despite all of the things going on in the world, is what really made this summer the best. I thought it would suck due to the pandemic.
Q. Thanks for logging all these hours as my wingman these last few months, Sam. I appreciate our friendship so much and look forward to all those memories we are bound to make moving forward. I also love sharing them with everyone here on We Were Inverted. You’ve been a massive part of this site’s progress thus far and I thank you for all you’ve done.
A. Aw, thanks, Pat. I’m just glad you invited me to be on the site. Even despite knowing how I felt about roller coasters in the beginning, you helped me get over my fear. It’s been just beyond amazing getting to spend time with you, seeing as you’re one of my best friends, and helping me meet new people like Greg, Mindy, Mailyn, Chris, and Carrie. Thank you for such a fun-packed summer, despite everything going on around us.
