We took the train past the salt mines. The conductor spent five minutes telling us the story of Drawbridge.

Donna and Nigel picked us up in San Jose and we went to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

Everybody has a good time on the Pirate ride.

We disobeyed the sign.

...and were severely punished.

We didn't play minigolf.

...but I did go on the Giant Dipper, the best rollercoaster on the west coast.

Nigel came along. He doesn't really smell that bad.

Note: be careful when taking pictures on a rollercoaster. My camera almost flew out of my hand half a second later.

Typhoon is my favorite ride. The only person who ever joyfully agreed to ride it with me was Tom Krueger.

I miss Tom.

I have never eaten so much crap in my life. Everything comes deep fried. I had one of the massive corn dogs, split some garlic fries with D'arby, had a handful of Donna's fries and half of her funnel cake, which is deep-fried dough coated in powdered sugar and mm-mm good. Pepsi has taken over, so if you want vanilla anything, it's a Vanilla Pepsi, which is just nasty.

D'arby and Nigel rode Cliff Hanger.

I didn't go on the ferris wheel. The last time I went on it, Aynne freaked out and had to be let off, and it made me feel sick.

Aynne does, however, love Tsunami! which goes around in circles, faster and faster, and then goes backwards for a bit.

The backwards part makes me feel sick, too.

We'd had about enough.

...so we went down to the beach to cool off. (next)