After being fortunate enough to be invited to the park's announcement event for Storm Runner, it's been hard not to think about the ride. This ride could easily end up being the best new ride for 2004, and one of the best steel coasters overall.

I recently visited Hersheypark on December 27th, 2003 for my first visit to their Christmas Candylane event. The real reason I went was to satisfy my curiosity of how Storm Runner is progressing. The station frame is up, along with the track inside and next to it. No major vertical construction has begun, but many footers are in place, so major vertical construction shouldn't be too far away. The area around Trailblazer's station and the dolphin show looks more like a warzone. Pathways are covered in dirt, machines are everywhere and fencing is missing. However, the majority of the trees are still in place, a refreshing sight to see.

To view the photos I took, click here.

To read the detailed trip report from my visit to Hersheypark Christmas Candylane, click here.