USA 2011 - Shake, Rattler & Roll Day 16 - Monday 20th June 2011 Trip Report from Shopping & Flight Home :-(

Our last day of the trip and we were blessed with a lie in. This gave us enough time to repack the cases. Our luggage allowance this year was reduced to just 1 case at 23kg. Once checked if we had some room we could pop over to the shopping mall opposite our hotel for some last minute shopping. At 10.45AM it was on the coach for our drive to Philadelphia. Mike came onto the coach to say Goodbye as he was heading back to his home from the hotel. Once we started the journey it was time to see how many room keys people had, Matt had all of his! There were a total of 77 room keys not returned to the hotels, the journey continued and we know Nev likes surprises and today was to be no different. En route to the airport we stopped off at Ride Manufacturer Great Coasters International who had only just announced a new wooden coaster to be built at Europa Park.

Once we entered their premises we had to sign a document for confidentiality before being given a tour of their establishment. We were not able to take photo's of the whole site which was a shame as there were a lot of great aerial photo's of their existing rides. We saw their Millennium Flyer Car which they use on the trade fairs and we all took a seat and posed for a photo or two! Then we collected at the entrance for some more photo opportunities including a customary group photo. Nev seemed more interested in their mailbox! Photo's over, tour over it was back on the coach for the short journey to the airport. We still had a lot of time before we needed to check-in for the flight so we stopped off again, this time at the Springfield Mall just outside of Philadelphia.

There was time for some more Shopping, something to eat and drink. When we gathered at the coach we found out that Death had left the group to make his way back to New York for his flight back to the UK. It was now time for the presentations. First up was Bob, Nev thanked him and then presented him with a collection we made for him. Hopefully he'll be able to join us next year on the west coast as he is one of the family now. After we thanked Bob, Pete got up to present Nev with the second collection that was made for another great trip as a lot of background work goes into every trip, organising all the parks, all the great ERS's. Presentations over it was back on the coach for the last time for the short journey to the airport. Once there we said our goodbye's to Bob, Pete & Lisa before checking in for our flight. We can now look forward to the next USA trip in 2012 and the next club trip, the Summer Bash.

Please Note: Any on ride photographs were taken WITH PERMISSION of the theme park and ride management. Under no circumstances should any member of the public or club member attempt to take photographs on rides without express permission from the theme park. Safety comes first - follow the rules!