The end of November 2020 felt like it snuck up on me. I sat down at the computer today and looked down at the calendar. November 30, 2020 the date read. Immediately I thought, “Oh man! I need to write this month’s CAG Report!”
It seems like only a few days ago that Sam and I were meeting two friends for a fun day at Hersheypark on Sunday, November 1. As I write this blog, it’s less than 24 hours from Tuesday, December 1. This month flew by and at first thought, it felt like not much happened with We Were Inverted. When I began looking through all that did happen, however, I realized that was not the case. Here’s a look at happenings from the site over the month of November 2020:
1 + 2 (at a 6) + 1 = 4
What a sub-heading, huh? It was just my fun way of saying the crew of We Were Inverted still managed to enjoy four park outings in November, with two of them coming at Six Flags Great Adventure (SFGAdv) – hence the “2 (at a 6).” Okay, enough of my horrible sub-heading. Here’s a recap of those park trips.
Hersheypark
November got kicked off in amazing fashion with yet another visit to Hersheypark. It was my 10th visit of the season and it was Sam’s first time getting to use her season pass. With us both having King-Sized passes, we were able to take advantage of a two-hour Sweet Start event held by the park. Most of all the park’s best coasters were available for it and we managed to get rides on every single one of them – and some of them, multiple times. That was all before the Sweet Start finished too!
Soon after the park opened, Sam and I met up with our friends, Allison and Natalie, and hit up a couple more coasters. We also got in some time with a lot of the flat rides that we’ve neglected all summer. It was a nice change of pace. Allison and Natalie didn’t stay until the park closed, however, so once they left, Sam and I went and spent some time with our favorite coasters one last time, knowing that some of them would be closed for the remainder of the parks events in 2020. It was easily one of the best visits of the 10 that I’ve had this year at Hersheypark.
Six Flags Great Adventure, Twice in a Week
At the end of October Sam, Kayla, and our friends, Jason and Amber, were supposed to head to SFGAdv. Those plans had to be postponed and thankfully, SFGAdv still had some operating dates in November for us to move to. Problem was, however, not everyone was open to go on the same day. What we ended doing is planning two different excursions up to the park so everyone could still go. This mean, I went twice! Darn!
The first trip ended up just being Sam and myself. It was the final day of the regular season. El Toro was closed, but the rest of the coasters were not. This allowed Sam to finish up all the credits at the park that she still needed. Those included: Superman Ultimate Flight, Green Lantern, Joker, and Kingda Ka. We almost missed out on Ka too, but luckily for us, we were the final train of the short run they did that day (rain), which turned out to be the last of the season!
Just a few days later I returned to the park with Jason and Amber. Kayla could not come so Renee went her in her place. Jason and Amber hadn’t been to an amusement park in a long while and Renee hadn’t been to SFGAdv in years. It turned out to be the first day of their Holiday at the Park event too. Although a few of the coasters were down, we still had an amazing day with some kick ass night rides to finish off the evening.
Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream
A park that I pushed back at the end of 2019 and a park that Covid pushed back for months on end in 2020, Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream in New Jersey was finally visited by the crew and myself in November. Along for the journey, Sam, Greg, and I went up on a Thursday and spent the entire afternoon and evening at the indoor park. It was nice getting in multiple new credits at once, which was the first time that happened for me since last year. Sam and Greg also enjoyed themselves and it was a day that was worth the wait.
If you’re looking to go to this park, I’d suggest giving this park report a read specifically. Not only did I give a rundown of the coasters and rides, but I also gave readers some suggestions about going to this park with some of its current operation limitations in place. Read the trip report, “Nickelodeon Universe: American Dream – 5 New Credits For 3 Crew Members,” for all that information.
The Artist's Canvas
The month of November featured a couple of different artists with two entirely different types of craft. Both of these artists have been spoken about and even mentioned in other blogs in the past. It was nice to finally see my plans with both artists pay off in the same month.
Dave Taylor's 3D Wood Art
A while ago I commissioned a wood cut of the Loch Ness Monster logo from Dave Taylor’s 3D Wood Art. I’m not going to go into details about how I found him and the process involved as I’ve talked about it several times now. What I will say, however, is that he was able to complete my commission in early November, which you can see in the photo above.
I tell you what, this piece is amazing. It’s sturdy and commands attention when in its presence. Taylor did an amazing job with this and I look forward to going to him again for other projects down the road. What’s even better is that some of you reached out to him as well about possible commissions of your own. If you’d like to know more about him and the process I went through with getting this commission, read the blog, “Capturing the Loch Ness Monster.”
Joseph Fells Theme Park Collection
A few months before I began planning We Were Inverted I was made aware of a Kickstarter that featured some roller coaster designs done by artist Joseph Fell. I took a look and fell in love with his art. I immediately backed the project and thought that would be that.
Then, a few months later, after I launched We Were Inverted, Fells launched his second series of his Theme Park Collection pins on Kickstarter. I jumped on that one too and reached out to him about a possible interview for this site. He got back to me a few days later and said he’d love to take part. I told him I’d work on some questions and we could get this underway once things calmed down for him with new project.
I am proud to announce that Fells’ interview just went live about a week ago from the time of this writing. I hope you got a chance to read it and check out his different stores and the products he offers. You can pretty much get his illustrations printed on anything you like, so be sure read his interview for details, “Q&A: Joseph Fells – The Artist/Enthusiast Behind Theme Park Collection.”
One Series Continues While Another Will Soon Begin
Speaking of interviews, it was awesome to interview fellow crew member, Greg Lane, for the second entry in the Coaster Collectible series. His collection of ride photo keychains is growing bigger by the month. He has impressed fellow enthusiasts he’s met and park as well as employees at the parks who happen to see that massive carabiner above. Read this entry in the series, “Coaster Collectibles – Greg Lane: Ride Photo Keychains,” if you haven’t already.
Also, I am currently seeking people with a nice collection of roller coaster or amusement park themed items to take part in this series. Be sure to reach out to me via the site’s Contact page, or the We Were Inverted Facebook page if you are interested in being featured. I’d love to hear from you.
Meanwhile, while the Coaster Collectibles series is in full swing, another series will soon launch here on We Were Inverted called, “Influential Coasters of My Childhood.” I recently published a preview blog about this upcoming series, so if you haven’t checked that out yet, be sure to read, “Preview – Influential Coasters of My Childhood: The Series.” I will be kicking this series off in early December with an entry about the ever-so-popular, Anaconda at Kings Dominion. Yup! Anaconda!
Coming in December: A Few Holiday Outings
With December now upon us, a few crew members are looking to head out to some of the different park’s winter holiday offerings. I will be headed back down with Sam and Greg to meet Chris D. and Carrie at Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW) early in the month. We will also be meeting up with James W., who many of you might recognize from the Facebook group, “Busch Gardens Williamsburg Insiders.” He can be found at the park more days than about 99 percent of the park’s employees. He practically lives at the park and loves everything BGW. It be nice to finally meet up with him for a day of rides. Before we arrive, however, our group will be stopping at Funland Fredericksburg (FOF) on the way. Both Sam and Greg need the Twist n Shout credit, so we’re finally going to make that happen.
It also looks like several crew members will be hitting up Hersheypark’s Christmas Candylane event early in December. I went for the first time last year and with season passes this year, both Sam and I want to head back up there. Renee is planning to join us and I believe that James, Reid, and Chris A. will be as well. A few others might come, but aren’t 100 percent sure yet. It’ll be nice to get to a park with some of them again as it hasn’t happened much this year. As a matter of fact, this will be James’ first visit to a park all season and he still needs the Candymonium credit. Can’t wait to ride it with him.
Before the end of the year, I might head back down to Six Flags America (SFA) one last time with both Sam and Greg. I have some membership perks for cheap admission, so why not? It’s about an hour away for all of us, so it’ll be one last coaster hoorah before 2021.
I have also been eyeing an American Coaster Enthusiast (ACE) event coming up at Storybook Land in New Jersey. I have never been to this park and was thinking of adding it to a future Jersey Shore beach town excursion in 2021. For the $15 entry price, however, I might just go do it and get it out of the way this year instead. It’ll be cheaper to visit it now and I have nothing going on that day anyhow. I’m still debating it, but I’m heavily leaning in that direction.
Other than those trips and the start of the new series, I’m not 100 percent sure of what else December will bring. I’m sure there will be a few surprises and memorable moments along the way. Every other month has had them. Why would December be any different?
