July 31 Diary
Hershey Park, PA "The Roller Coaster"

Last year at this venue I really wanted to go on the Hershey factory tour. A childhood fantasy of living out "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" I guess. Who, as a little kid wouldn't have loved to be on a boat cruising down a chocolate river? Well, it didn't happen last year because of long lines, and it didn't happen this year for fear of the same problem. But there were stories going around of The Roller Coaster ride where screams were heard from radios of those who had braved the Hershey Amusement Park . I didn't even know there was a Roller Coaster last year or I would have been on it. I guess I was obsessed with the idea of chocolate.

At some point in the morning I saw the monstrosity peeking out from the trees. It was huge! One of those old-fashioned wooden roller coasters that twists and turns and doesn't look at all stable or safe. I definately had to get a ride on that thing. I told Vanessa we had to go on it and she agreed. We discovered that free passes were available at the Production Office, so after lunch we grabbed Lou, some passes, and headed over there.

It was even hotter there due to the black asphalt carpet that lined the park. Tons of people were out and about and we were getting a little nervous (we were working after all and we couldn't be gone that long). We kept passing rides whose signs read "1 hour and fifty minute wait for this ride". Uh-oh. The crowd was so thick and the sun so hot we decided to give up the search for the time being, maybe we would try again later after sun-down, when a lot less people were likely to be there.

Right as the sun was going down I noticed that the Roller Coaster was lined with what looked like Christmas tree lights. We were getting ready to interview the Mediaeval Baebes and I told Vanessa "we HAVE to go on The Roller Coaster"! She just nodded knowingly. After shooting the Baebes I ran out to catch one of Sheryl Crow's songs and it started raining while I was shooting. I didn't care about that, I was going on that Roller Coaster. I grabbed Vanessa who had grown hesitant because of the rain. "Come on" I said, "it will be fun in the rain". She grabbed her sweatshirt and off we went.

Over in the park the atmoshpere had changed from earlier in the day. It was cooler but muggy from the sprinkling rain that was falling on the hot cement. People were leaving in droves, tired and hot from a day of sun and adrenalin-seeking fun. We found our way to the "Wild Cat"(the actual name of our Roller Coaster) and got in line. After about twenty minutes we were next in line and decided to sit near the front of the car. I radioed Jocelyn to let her know what we were about to embark upon and asked if she wanted to be "in on it" so to speak. She was all for it. At various points leading up to our departure I let her know the status of our situation. From getting into the car to reaching the peak of the first hill I was letting her know our feelings and thoughts as were getting ready to enjoy The Roller Coaster. Finally we were at the top, I pressed down on the radio button and down we went. Screaming, laughing, and yelling the whole way I didn't let up on the button to the radio. When our ride came to an end I let her know. "That was great" she said. Yes, it was.