 by Chitown on July 6th, 2003, 9:05 pm
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Ooooh, boy!!!Interesting day at the park. We arrived around 2:30 and sure enough the heavens started to open up. We saw absolutely no coasters running and I knew earlier that we had a tornado watch for the Chicago area all afternoon.. But...... we went anyway.After getting through the gates , we walked around hoping the skies would clear up. We did some arcade games and prize games. Right at about 3:30 , the rain started to come down in sheets while we ran over to the Eagle tent. Got my daughter some cheese fries, and myself a beer, and then an announcement came on the loudspeaker that a tornado warning was no in affect and to take shelter. The emergency sirens started to blare.My daughter was getting a little scared but I assured her we were safe (even though I had no clue if we were or not). The rain was still coming down hard, thunder and lightning were rampant, and the sirens were still blaring.Finally the sirens stopped, the rain let up, and the crowds started walking around. We decided to give it a go, so we started walking through Yukon Territory, Yankee Harbor, and into Orlean's Place. Since everything was still shut down, we took in the show at Theatre Royale. After the show ended , an announcement came on that another tornado warning was on again, and the sirens were blaring with more heavy rain. We stayed under the shelter of the theatre, and when all was clear (again), we started walking toward SWT.As we got near Viper and RB, the skies were actually clearing up with the sun popping out. The temperature started out muggy, dropped to the 60's, and then jumped back up again. At this point all the coasters started to test.By 5:00, the rides started to open and we got a quick ride on Giant Drop. After that, we proceeded to RB which was running 2 trains. The wait was about 15 minutes. Another kick booty back row ride on Da Bull.Made our way around the park again in hopes of a ride on Batman but all they were doing was testing the trains on and off. My daughter decided to ride Whirligig. During her first ride, the black clouds started rolling in again and a bolt of lightning flashed out near Raging Bull. When her ride was done, she wanted to ride again. Just as the rideop was ready to start it up again, a bolt of lightning struck right above us.I am talking a massive flash, an instant loud crackle, and then the earth shook. O.K. THATS ENOUGH OF THIS. I yelled at my daughter to get off immediately. She ran over to me and the heavens opened up yet again.We waited for the rain to let up, and headed out of the park around 7:00.Mother nature lashed out at us today and wouldnt let up. She teased us a few times but kept on coming with full force.Very interesting day. Thanks for reading.
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