Bruschi Returns

Being at last nights Patriots game and seeing Tedy Bruschi return after suffering a stroke earlier this year was amazing. As always, the team came onto the field as one, not with individual introductions like most other teams. But they did announce each name on the starting defense and saved Tedy Brushci's name for last and there was probably the loudest and longest ovation Gillette Stadium has seen. He acknowledged the crowd, then he was all business. He played so much more than anyone expected and seemed to be everywhere. Every time he took the field or his name was announced for making a tackle - the whole place went nuts all over again. Very cool.
Meanwhile at Red Sox Nation - I was stunned that boy wonder GM Theo Epstein is leaving. This morning's Boston Globe was saying an announcement of a new three year deal for him would be announced today. And now Manny is demanding to be traded. Again. Looks like another 86 year wait for the Sox to be champs again.

What The?!?!?

Holy crap! Its snowing. And it isn't even Halloween yet.

Cedar Point is Totally Sick!

We got back yesterday morning from a weekend of smashing our brains into our skulls at Cedar Point in Ohio. Cedar Point has won Best Amusement Park for the 8th year in a row and most of their 16 roller coasters broke records when they first opened. Plus the whole park was done up for Halloween with many haunted houses and fright zones. We brought all our water proof gear and were prepared for horrible weather. It was 50 and raining on Friday night, which kept the crowds low and added to the creepiness of the whole park. Was really weird seeing white caps breaking on the shore just feet away from the rides. With wind and cold rain whipping at us it seemed like we were at some amusement park in Iceland. Riding the coasters at night next to the pitch black and eerie Lake Erie was really cool. Felt like you just being tossed out into nothingness on Magnum XL 200 (#3 rated coaster in world and probably my favorite), and being pelted in the face with rain made the coasters even sicker. We were at the park for full 13 hours on Saturday - it was cloudy and drizzly at first, but then never actually rained again. We got on every ride multiple times, rode each coaster from first and last seats, and even did the water rides since we were still dressed for rain. Crowds picked up as the day went on we had our our first and only long wait of 90 minutes for Millennium Force (#1 rated coaster on planet) at end of the night. By midnight my head was killing me from being bashed about so many times on Raptor, Mantis, Wicked Twister (Lori's favorite), Gemini, Corkscrew, Blue Streak, Wildcat, Mean Streak (the hardest, roughest ride I've ever been on) and even the lame by comparison Iron Dragon and we thought of blowing off Sunday, but in the morning it was actually sunny so we went for it. The place was empty. We walked in at 9am and there wasn't anyone else entering. We got three rides on Millennium Force in the first hour and got on every other ride without a wait until we just couldn't take anymore and headed out around 2pm. The only bummer was that two rides (MaxAir and Top Thrill Dragster) were down for the whole weekend - but that just gives an excuse to return. And Larry The Lizard wasn't tall enough for any of the cool rides. Check out some photos.

Even after being totally coastered out, we might head to Six Flags New England this weekend just to be able to ride the top 3 coasters in the world in one week. Six Flags is home to #2 rated Superman. We've been on it before but not in a few years. Then Sunday night we'll be at Gillette Stadium for the return of Tedy Bruschi!

Another Exotic Adventure

This is the bye week for the New England Patriots, so it's the only weekend we dare go away until the NFL season is over. After visiting such places as Nepal, Iceland and Belize the one glaring hole in our adventures was obvious. Ohio. Sandusky, Ohio to be exact - home of Cedar Point Amusement Park.

Cedar Point has been the top rated amusement park for 8 years running and has 16 roller coasters. We thought about going in the summer, but they go sick for Halloween. A few years ago we did Universal Islands of Adventure in Orlando at Halloween and it was awesome. But of course October in Ohio can be a little different than Florida. This weekend's forecast is for rain and highs in the 50's. At least the lines won't be long. We can always end up at the Sell-Out, I mean Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland if it's a total wash out.

Tedy's Back!

Patriot's All Pro linebacker Tedy Bruschi is returning to football this week! Just months ago all of New England was wondering if he was going to live, let alone play again. I know I can't expect his return to suddenly make the defense amazing again. But I sure wouldn't be surprised. Just the emotional impact of his return could trigger quite a winning streak. You can't doubt anybody who goes from suffering a stroke in February to playing in the NFL in October. All hail Bruschi!!

Brushci's press conference statement from today and some Q&A highlights.
Patriots statement from yesterday on return of #54.