37th Birthday Trip to Western New York

To celebrate my birthday, Deb and I packed up the Volvo (including Michael) and headed up to the Buffalo, NY area to ride some coasters and do some hiking. We left Thursday evening so Michael could sleep during the 400 mile drive, and he pretty much did so. We arrived in Rochester around 11:00pm and hit the sack.

Friday to hit Six Flags Darien Lake in the morning (after a visit to Krispy Kreme which made Deb very happy). The park was not too crowded, and I managed to ride all 5 coasters (including Superman:Ride of Steel which was my 250th coaster) by around 2. Check my Coaster Photos pages for lots of photos and videos from Darien Lake.

 

Mike was practicing his bubble blowing


click picture to play movie


click picture to play movie

 

From there we headed over to Martin's Fantasy Island to ride the Silver Comet. Definitely a Top 10 coaster! I took lots of photos and videos on the Silver Comet.

Since we were only about 10 miles from Niagara Falls at that point, we made a sidetrip to see that (my first time). The falls were impressive, the carnival-like surroundings were not. We were treated to a surprise fireworks show over the falls which made the trip worthwhile.

Saturday we went to Letchworth State Park to do some hiking, tried out the kid carrier for the first time.

 
 

The coolest things we did was to hike over the railroad bridge that spans the falls. Quite a vertigo-inducing experience but an amazing view. I took 2 quick movies from the bridge, this one and this one.

 

After Letchworth we drove up to Seabreeze Amusement Park in Rochester. I don't think I need to go back there again. Of course I took some photos.