2015 Day 4 - Six Flags America

Up early again today, leaving the hotel at 8am, had the doorman hail us a taxi to take us to Ronald Reagan Airport to pick up our car for the rest of the holiday. Taxi driver was very friendly and pointed out different buildings as we drove through the city. He took us right into the airport car park to the Alamo drop off point so it was only a short walk to collections.

Another very helpful man soon had us heading back to the garage to pick up a Toyota Sienna, similar to one we've had in the past. Now came the interesting bit, navigating our way out of the airport and south around the city. It soon became clear that the US sat nav we had brought off ebay was going to be a godsend, especially when it came to lanes needed for turn offs!

Half an hour later and we found the entrance to Six Flags America. Driving into the car park we were amazed to find it nearly empty! A member of staff pointed us in the direction of the Annual Pass office so we could exchange our prepaid vouchers. After the obligatory awful photos we had our tickets. 

 

The park was just opening when we returned to the entrance. First ride was Jokers Jinx, a really fast launch throws your round multiple loops and twists on a really compact footprint. Great fun. Next was Superman Ride of Steel. A 200ft coaster that made Keith a little nervous, but thats 'nothing' compared to some of the others to come later this week!! Quite liked this one. Onto the 3rd coaster - Batwing, a flying coaster. The seat harnesses didn't feel as secure as other similar ride. You sit in your seat to start with and then get reclined for take off up the lift hill. As you reach the top the track twists so you are facing downwards for the drop. Not sure why I ride these flying coasters, I do enjoy them but they don't like me! By the time I came off I felt quite ill :( combined with the humidity I decided to miss the next couple of rides.

Jokers Jinx

Batwing

Superman: Ride of Steel (Keith, Sarah and Stephen in second from last car!)

The others then rode Roar, a wooden coaster, and Mind Eraser, a hanging coaster. I don't think I missed anything much as the others didn't rate them - real bone shakers in need of some tlc.

Roar

3rd and 4th rows!

We tried to cool off on a rapids ride, but the water was warm! Very odd feeling! We also walked through some misters but the humidity was so high you couldn't actually feel them.

Ragin Cajun

Stephen and Keith joined a small queue for Ragin' Cajun, a spinning mouse ride, while Sarah and I found some shade. It was now just after 2pm and we felt we had done all we had set out to do (minus one ride that wasn't running, much to Stephen's disappointment), so we stopped to get a funnel cake, complete with chocolate sauce, apples, strawberries and cream to share before heading back to the car, via the shops for a couple of small souvenirs.

Funnel Cake photo on food page - it was good!!!

This seemed like quite a small park and given the lack of visitors a half day visit proved ample. There is an attached water park but we didn't feel the need!

Back on the road, the sat nav took us through some residential areas before hitting the Interstate. Keith was well impressed that it actually got us right to the door of our next hotel at Springfield - no not where Bart lives!!

The front desk had given us a list of local recommended restaurants around the local area, we tried Mikes Bar Grill first but despite being huge it was packed and there was a wait for seats.  So we went to Outback Steakhouse, a favourite from our last trip.  Food and service was excellent from the Blooming Onion, to the steaks, ribs and even salads!  So off now to bed feeling full.

Tomorrow we are off further south towards Richmond to a park called Kings Dominion, hopefully for a hyper coaster 305ft high.

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Click here for Todays food post