I’m back to let you know…

Well, just that I’m back!  I have missed all of my blog buddies recently.  Most of my writing energy has been spent TRYING to pull together my thesis.  Thank goodness it is the last requirement before I graduate from Hopkins.  M.A. here I come!! 

I thought I would start back with all of you by sharing the fun details of my amazing trip to Cedar Pointe!  Yep, I spent the weekend in Sandusky, OH riding the tallest rollercoasters in the U.S. and laughing with friends until I cried.  It was just what I needed! Unfortunately, my camera died over the weekend, so I only have a few pictures that I snapped with my phone to share with everyone. 

Well, we only started the day two hours late due to a bit of  a late riser…no worries…we ragged on him mercilessly the entire day and made him buy everyone lunch.  So mean   As I’m sure most of you know, road trips can be a blast or a disaster.  I am happy to report that our trip was ridiculous!  It is the most fun I have had in a long time.  All of us laughed until our stomachs hurt.  I made the valiant effort to bring yummy and healthy snacks, but of course, at the first rest stop, I snatched a bag of doritos haha.  Other amazing combinations included Full Throttle, chocolate milk and dortitos (all at once) and sour cream and cheddar potato chips + slim jim…wow…I have no words.  We drove the entire 6.5 hours with the windows down and the music up!

It got a little windy...

Finally, we arrived in Ohio and checked into the Residence Inn in Independence.  The rooms were really nice, but the people were a little slow .  We dropped off our bags, grabbed a few showers and headed out for the night.  The night started with a great little tribute band and curb side popcorn.  We all sang along to some of our favorites and plugged our ears for a few missed notes.  All in all, it was a great start.  A little cold, a lot hungry and even more sleepy, we grabbed our things and headed over to the Rib, White and Blue festival in the city.  Can you say fun?!?  At least ten different vendors all selling award winning BBQ and frosty birch beer.  It was a little slice of Ohio heaven…to say nothing of the people watching.  WOW! 

Saturday morning we grabbed a yummy hot breakfast at the hotel and got on the road to Cedar Pointe.  It was the perfect day for an amusement park.  Around 70 degrees, light breeze and sparkling sunshine.  We couldn’t have asked for more.  First stop…the Raptor!

Waiting in line...

And on and on it went…I think we rode every coaster in the park almost.  We stopped at a cute little saloon for BBQ, beer and “Got Country.”  It was a fun western themed show with a lot of patriotism thrown in.  So much fun!  Needless to say, night fell and we were still going strong.  We strolled, wide-eyed, through the starlight express light display and bundled up in sweatshirts for a cool Ohio evening.  The highlight of the day came when we all hopped on a coaster right when the fireworks began.  We were shot 415 feet into the air and right into the middle of the fireworks (well OK, not RIGHT in the middle, but you get the idea.)  It was amazing!  After I recovered from the fear and shock of that coaster ride….yep you guessed it…I rode it again!!!

Sunday morning, we headed out to Lake Erie and a cute little lake town.  We stopped off at an adorable coffee shop for some frozen coffee and belly laughs.  “If that had happened in Maryland, the popcorn machine would have been up on cinder blocks”  :):).  I stuck my little feet in Lake Erie and collected a few beautiful stones.  It was the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  After a yummy assortment of hotdogs, burgers and macaroni salad, we all hopped in the car to head home. 

Beautiful Lake Erie

Well, the ride home was just as fun as the ride in.  We danced in our seats, cracked jokes and had our fill of junk food.  We even had a guest performance by Little D, the Kia hamster stand in…it was hilarious. 

Little D doing the Kia head bop

All in all, it was a great weekend with great friends!!!  I can’t wait for the next one…