![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_001.jpg)
Another year, another C3, and another morning breakfast meetup where 30 people say they will attend...
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_002.jpg)
And then less than 10 actually show up. With the opening of a new Cracker Barrel right across the street from the park, we relocated our breakfast (previously at IHOP).
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_003.jpg)
Over at the park, everyone was up bright and early. While previous C3's have been in August, this year it was pushed back to September because of the 100 degree temperatures at last year's event. Good decision.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_004.jpg)
I want to go on something more thrilling than Restroom 1.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_006.jpg)
Carolina Cyclone was the first stop of ERT.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_007.jpg)
Then Ricochet for multiple rides.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_009.jpg)
Much to my dismay we also rode Vortex once, then it was back to Ricochet to camp out for the rest of ERT.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_010.jpg)
This place is packed.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_011.jpg)
I wonder what nearly every single person at the event is going to make a beeline for as soon as the park opens.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_017.jpg)
No flyer ERT this year
![Sad :-(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_019.jpg)
This can only mean one thing...
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_018.jpg)
BIIIILLLLL
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_020.jpg)
Since Dave could not make the event, we took a ride on Dora's Azul Adventure for him.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_021.jpg)
Good times were had by all.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_022.jpg)
Both Eric and Robert had their first Dora experiences, and as you can see they were AMAZED.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_023.jpg)
Looks like this squirrel rode Vortex.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_024.jpg)
Don't give me that look.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_025.jpg)
O RLY?
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_026.jpg)
I'm sooo bored.... Riding coasters.... *emo*
![Sad :-(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_028.jpg)
Scott is on stage, which can only mean one thing. Game show time. I don't have any pictures of any of that because I was on stage for the whole thing. Whootah completely destroyed the GAP (which conveniently shut down after the event) in Family Feud.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_029.jpg)
*insert canned ACEer food joke here*
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_030.jpg)
Here's our merry band of travelers.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_032.jpg)
ACE: reuniting long-lost family members since 1978.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_033.jpg)
ACE: reuniting long-lost PR staff and regional ACE reps since 1978.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_035.jpg)
Next it was time for our EXCLUSIVE Scarowinds backstage tour.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_037.jpg)
Some of this stuff was actually scarier in the light.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_040.jpg)
They may seem innocent at first.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_041.jpg)
But watch yourself.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_042.jpg)
Pretty ****in terrifying.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_044.jpg)
Poor Winterfest trees.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_045.jpg)
I didn't realize that the Winterfest concentration camp was going to be a part of the tour.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_046.jpg)
Apparently John finds Alan's sexual abuse of skeletons to be amusing.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_050.jpg)
I recall a similar scene after last year's flyer ERT.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_055.jpg)
And now we wait for ERT to begin on Thunder Road and Top Gun.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_056.jpg)
And begin it does. It was another awesomefied C3. I can't actually remember what we rode, but it was great hanging out with everyone, and the game shows were a riot. Kudos to Max for scheming them up.
![Image](http://www.jonathanhawkins.net/photos/albums/06c3/normal_c3_058.jpg)
We finished the night at Wild Wings Cafe, and then it was off to bed for me, as I had my sights set on Myrtle Beach the next day.
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