After some rides on the Yankee Cannonball I headed over to the Skyride which went down to the lake and back…but the exciting part of the ride was when it went directly over the Caterpillar.  Then it was over to the Flying Skooters which were decorated very well (as Roosters) but ran very poorly.  These Skooters were more aerodynamic than others I have been on and their fins were restricted so much that the best I could manage was to turn sideways a lot…this ride was a large disappointment.  The Kosmojets were a first.  These were cars which spun around a central hub, were raised and lowered by the rider, who could also turn the direction they were facing with a steering wheel and fire a "gun" at other cars which surrounded the hub.  Another ride in this same vein is a name I cannot remember...it is a rocket ride which surrounds a central wheel.  If memory serves me correctly, it is quite similar to the Rocket Jets at Disneyland.  Once the ride is up to full speed (and it feels quite fast) you can pull back or push forward on the stick and your car will rise or fall…quite a lot of fun.

          I walked around to the O.D. Hopkins log flume that fit into the western themed area and was extremely fun.  This flume is great because it gets you a little wet, but not soaked.  The Mine of the Lost Souls, a dark ride, was just down the way.  I enjoyed this, except for the fact that towards the end of the ride there was an Egyptian scene complete with pharaoh and cobras…what the hell was this doing in a New England mine?!

           As I toured the park I saw the pirate ship in pieces.  It appeared as if they were working on the seats for the ride, hopefully it will be up and running soon.

          The park got even more beautiful as dusk fell.  Neon and white lights turned on as the darkness began to creep over the park and it looked unbelievable.  I took another spin on the sky ride and saw a pink sky on the horizon which was reflected in the lake, absolutely beautiful.  The rest of the night was spent doing all of the flat rides at least once more and then many rides on the Corkscrew and Cannonball.  The crew on the Corkscrew let us stay on, but on the Cannonball we had to get off and go around after each ride, which got old quickly.  Never-the-less I ended up spending the hour between 9 & 10 o'clock enjoying the Yankee Cannonball, getting my last seat in the first car almost every time. 

         I had a wonderful time at Canobie Lake and am looking forward to my next visit.  It is a beautiful and fun park…a great way to spend a day.  It was not just one thing, but many small things which make this place so great.  From the retro-fifties light fixtures on the tall lights (colored cubes), to the big band and classical music providing a wonderful background, to the lake setting…this park has it all.  All I can say is that some people are roller coaster junkies…coasters are the thing they would most like to be doing.  I love roller coasters to death, but I think I have become a traditional park junkie…if there is such a thing.  There is no place I would rather be than spending the day at a great traditional park.  If you are ever up in New Hampshire be sure to visit Canobie Lake, you will not regret it.

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Adam Sandy, Copyright 2001.