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I count myself among those who have nothing but good memories of Astroworld. It was a lot different place in the mid-1970's, when I was in junior high school, than what some of you are describing it has become.

For about three or four years, I got a Season Pass every year. My best friend (who also had a Season Pass) and I would beg our parents to take us down there every day during our summer vacation, and we could usually get either his folks or mine to drop us off there for the day.

We didn't have much money, and didn't really need money -- the rides were all free, and we could usually sweet talk our way to a few free snacks here and there from the park employees, who got to know us pretty well. If I recall correctly, there was also a little bakery near the entrance that sold mini-loaves of bread for 25 cents.

I remember the Texas Cyclone -- we were counting how many times we rode it at one point, but I eventually lost count somewhere in the 700's I think. We would get there early on a summer weekday, and there were no people waiting in line, so they'd let us ride it over and over again without getting off. When people did get in line, we'd get off, run down the ramp, and get right back in line again for the next one.

I remember watching them build Greezed Lightnin', and when it finally opened, how much fun it was to go from 0 to 60 in under four seconds for the first time, and the second time... and the 200th time.

I remember the River of No Return, the Alpine Sleigh Ride (which was so refreshing on those long, hot summer days), the Wacky Shack, the Barrel of Fun, the Black Dragon, the Bamboo Shoot, the Dexter Frebish Electric Roller Ride...

Wow, 'scuse me while I wax nostalgic.

...the Black Dragon, the Bamboo Shoot, the Dexter Frebish Electric Roller Ride...
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Those names bring back memories, especially the Alpine Sleigh Ride! Sorry to hear it's closing. I remember it back in the 1970's when it was fun and safe. Saw the Monkees with the opening act of Weird Al there in the 1980's, which I remember like yesterday. Last time I was there was in 1992 when I first met Weird Al Yankovic and his band.