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Thanks for the Follow, Destination America!

It’s always great to receive new followers on social media – but some, such as the one I received last evening, are very special!

Destination America follows Great American Thrills

Thanks for the follow, Destination America – glad to have you along for the ride! This tweet brought to you by Verizon Wireless 4G LTE…

Destination America is a partner channel with Discovery Communications, and would be a WONDERFUL place to have Great American Thrills show just how amazing our amusement parks are – (wink wink, nod nod) after all…we invented them!

I look forward to sharing my passion of amusement and theme parks with you, Destination America – in addition to my extensive knowledge of Talkeetna, AK ; ) Have you ever tried their pancakes?

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On Google+? So are We!

G+ers – we just went live with our Great American Thrills™ fan page!

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Great American Thrills on Google+

You can also check out our other social media pages here:

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/GreatAmericanThrills

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/GreatAmericanThrills

Twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/GreatAmThrills

Google+:

http://www.google.com/+KrisRowberry

Instagram:

http://instagram.com/krowberry

Receive updates, invites to events and more on the world of “Great American Thrills™” as well as the “Lost Parks of Northern California” series. So don’t delay – join us on social media and follow us today!

Happy Halloween from Great American Thrills!

Halloween is upon us – and for fans of haunted events, such as the “Halloween Haunt” at California’s Great America, or “Fright Fest” at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom – the parks are slowly tearing down the mazes and decor, in anticipation for a new season to begin in earnest in March (Discovery Kingdom stays open year-round.)

Halloween Haunt at California's Great America. Photo by Kris Rowberry

Haunt may be closed – but that doesn’t mean we can’t relive it!

So let us remember the zombie scares, the clownish stares, the frightfully fun times. Halloween comes but once a year – and now for the scaredy cats, there is no more need to fear anything here.

Unless you hate the holidays…

San Mateo County History Museum Presentation a Success

For everyone who attended my “Lost Parks” history presentation at the San Mateo County History Museum last weekend – an immense THANK YOU is in order!

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Over 60 of you attended the event (which was a VERY large crowd for these sorts of events, according to the museum staff). And the feedback we received was universally positive. If you’ve never been to this museum – the building itself is a piece of art, in addition to all of the exhibits!

If you missed the event – don’t despair – we’re already working on a video of the presentation, so you can attend “virtually.”

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Remember, you can always help support Great American Thrills™ by liking and sharing our updates with your favorite cable channels social media pages – or just tell your friends about the work we’re doing!

San Mateo County History Museum Presentation Tomorrow

Don’t forget!

Tomorrow afternoon is my “Lost Parks” presentation at the San Mateo County Museum.

The presentation starts promptly at 1:00pm – don’t be late!

Learn more here: http://www.historysmc.org/main.php?page=docket

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“Lost Parks” featured in the San Francisco Examiner!

No, it’s not a broken record you’re hearing – I really am featured in / on a major news outlet for the second time this week!

This time, it’s the San Francisco Examiner, who were very kind to promote my “Lost Parks” presentation at the San Mateo County History Museum.

For the full article, pick up a copy of today's Examiner, or click the link below.

For the full article, pick up a copy of today’s Examiner, or click the link below.

Let’s hope to keep this remarkable streak alive and continue to build awareness for the brand – feel free to share Great American Thrills with all your friends, family and favorite television stations / networks!

Read the article here:

Or copy / paste this link:

http://www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/thrill-seeker-revels-in-amusement-park-history/Content?oid=2610741

Featured on BBC News!

Yes, you read that correctly – I had the honor of being featured in a BBC News video released today about roller coaster technology and the  “plateau” some say we’ve reached. (I don’t think we have, by the way).

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You can view the whole video by clicking here.

Or, you can copy and paste this link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24553630

The backstory behind this interview is just as intriguing –

I had already planned to attend Six Flags Discovery Kingdom’s “Ghoulish Gathering” VIP event last Friday. When the tram dropped us off at the front entrance, I noticed a OMB (One Man Band) setup, with a man struggling to cope with the sound of the many rides in the area. In hindsight, I should have gone over to offer my assistance – but I digress…

When I asked the Public Relations person at the event about the cameraman, she immediately said, “Oh, he’s with the BBC…I should introduce you to him!”

Pinch me.

After we grabbed a bite to eat at the event, I got to talking with Richard, who quickly found out (and said), “I should interview you…”

You had to ask?

Careful to make sure I didn’t step on any known “land mines” when you do interviews like this, Richard slapped a lav mic on me, and into the sun he pointed me!

Now, it should be noted, that short of begging, I did my best to convince the segment producer to stay longer, so my Lost Parks Producer, American Coaster Enthusiasts Asst. Regional Rep AND all-around quality news source on all things coasters, Nicholas Laschkewitsch could arrive to be interviewed as well – but sadly, Richard had to leave before Nicholas could arrive. Thanks, BART Strike…

But, for now, it’s yet another milestone in my journey to be in the world of television. “Great American Thrills” has officially jumped the pond and gone international…WOW.

History Museum Presentation This Saturday

Planning your weekend already? Don’t forget about my “Lost Parks” presentation at the San Mateo County History Museum at 1:00pm this Saturday.

Join me as I take you back in time to five different defunct amusement parks from the greater Bay Area, as well as explain why our history is so important to preserve. In addition, you’ll see how you can still experience pieces of these long gone parks in our modern world. See you there!

Learn more, here: http://www.historysmc.org/main.php?page=docket

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Undertow Now Open at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Undertow Car

Photo Credit: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

After several months of will they / won’t they open, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk pulled a “Disney” and had a soft opening for their Undertow spinning roller coaster today.

The first reviews are already in – and everything points to positive so far!

The ride, a brilliant yellow with sea foam green supports, combines the sharp curves of a “wild mouse” with the uncontrolled, spinning action of a “spin n’ puke.” It is manufactured by Maurer Sohne, of Germany.

It is a historical throwback to the past as well – for many years, the park had a wooden wild mouse located on the present site of the “Logger’s Run” flume ride.

Undertow replaced the aging “Hurricane” steel roller coaster that debuted in 1993 in the same location.

YouTube Milestone Reached!

Over the weekend, I reached a YouTube milestone I thought worthy of sharing.

I have eclipsed over 30,000 views on the channel since it was launched back in April of 2012!

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While it’s certainly tiny in comparison to, say other channels on YouTube, it’s still a milestone to reach, then continue to grow from – and that’s worth celebrating.

Thanks to everyone for their continued support and viewing – I look forward to creating even more engaging content over the next year and a half!

Add to the view count – check out my YouTube and Vimeo channels!