Other (amusement parks) suggestions while you're in PA:

Hit Kennywood since it's RIGHT there in Pittsburgh!

If you have time, Hershey Park (a bit East of Pittsburgh) is one of the best (IMHO) amusement parks here in the States! Riding the back-row/outside seat on Skyrush is one of the most F-ing INSANE experiences ever! Rider Beware!!!!!

Then there's Knoebels!?!?! Pronounced "KA-NO-Bulls". I grew up in Orlando, FL and I've traveled extensively in the USA (and even some places abroad), but Knoebels will always be my favorite amusement park in the States! From the "lovely hillside setting", to the free parking, free admission, cheap (but delicious) eats, along with one of the BEST wooden coasters in the world (Phoenix), (heck...did I even mention the pinball machines?!)

I see Texas isn't the only place with giant margarita's.

Love your travel threads!!! Who's the driving force behind these trips to the states? And who does all the planning and scheduling? Lots of work! What a great family! Apparently you all get along really well and enjoy each other's company? Hope the rest of the trip brings many great experiences and great food!

that is the great thing about the states;
you can be fairly spontaneous when traveling
cause you know just about every 20-30 miles
there will be a place to eat or sleep or get gas, from coast to coast
and tons of stuff to see and do along the way
with little fear of being stranded.

Nice meeting you yesterday Dave! Good luck at the rest of PAPA!

Hey Dave I have to ask now that you have seen the majority of the US, where would you live or relocate if you were to move to the US? Or what has been your favorite state you visited? Curious what a New Zealand native thinks of the good ol USA in comparison to NZ?

Weather for today high of 39 with Snow and high winds - Sunday will be 71 and sunny - Welcome back to Pittsburgh (aka the Burgh)

If you want cheapish real estate check out southern IN. We have had very mild winters the last couple of years. I think it only snowed twice this winter.

Louisville might be a good urban compromise. They've got an airport. Pretty close to Nashville. Nashville might be a good choice too. Plus pins are cheap in the midwest.

I would recommend Portland Seattle areas.
Probably closest to NZ in scenery and weather.
Rains a lot 40-60 inches depending
only a little bit of snow (<3-5in)
Moderate Temps not too hot or cold.
Choice of mountains, beach or valleys or farmland.
Excellent pinball scene by the locals and bars.
Housing costs would depend on how close to
major urban area you want,
Some areas one can get acreage and/or house for relatively cheap
Good airports.

You need to consider the crime.My sister lived there and got broke into twice in 2 years and she lives in a nice area.

Good luck to your kiddo in the tourney! 2 questions..whats the artist/song on the 3 min YouTube video of your amazing game room?! And who the heck is tending to your amazing game room while you are overseas?! You know, like making sure they don't get dusty and are still working! For the record ..I would love that job! Haha

If you want some classic arcade action to mix with your pin action.. drive out to https://www.facebook.com/pinballpa/ - about 30mins from PAPA and has the best classic (including EM games) collection I've seen open to the public. Plus, they have about 200 pins Seriously, its worth the trip if you appreciate arcades at all. He also has a lot of rare pins not seen in the papa collection. Condition is good, but not papa tourney ready.

Ping https://www.facebook.com/ed.edward.33 Ed and let him know you are in the area (the owner)

Could someone possibly post the link to Rotordave's gameroom video id like to check that out

It's hard to hold back tears after watching the video...u been warned! Haha

Super nice collection!

Yes, he would not leave me the keys!

My water bill ( we are on the Detroit water & sewage system) is 1/3 metered water use age and 2/3 sewage charge. You can tee into the feed and have a landscape irrigation system meter that bills for water only.

As for the dual flush toilets, I travel a lot and would say that maybe 5% of the hotels I stay in have them.

I'm seeing more of the green handle flush valves (offering two flush strengths) on the high pressure commercial (2" water line) toilets in public places. The Illinois Tollway service centers (Oasis') have has them for at least four years now.

Based on my data from directing some large herb style tournaments (including a PAPA circuit event) I'd say you should expect them to have played an amount in the 40 - 60 games range. Possibly more than that with this being best 6 games instead of 5, not sure how that difference would effect people's play.

Holy hell that is one impressive room! Wanna adopt me?

heck with papa tournaments at Dave's!

I want to see pinwiztom's gameroom!
Get better rd.

Rd, how big is that room dimension wise. Looks like you are ready to expand. Do you even have room to take the glass off between rows?

My 3 pin collection is put to shame. Hehe

You will have to go to the Pacific Pinball Museum Annex
to see what is left of my gameroom or
should i say former gameroom,
as 75% of my collection is now in the good hands
of the good people at the PPM in Alameda CA.
I did have about 2300sqft space filled with ~80 EM pins at one time a few years back
but it was never as nice as RD's more modern collection.
here are a couple of pics.

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I am down to about 50 pins left, some in storage, some at home;
i need to update my collection list, since i donated the majority,
got a good tax write off this year and getting a nice refund from uncle sam.

Like the couch crammed in the corner and the 2 chairs between games. Who needs to sit?

Hope you get better Dave. It sucks being sick on vacation.

Remember everyone, the United States will be on the Metric System by 1980. LLLLLLMFAO!!!!!!

Saw interview with dani on the PAPA 20 finals feed. As a father of 2 young girls myself, i send you respect. You seem to be a very level headed young lady. Enjoy the rest of your stay in the states!

Horns-up! Nice to see anthrax doing good still! That'll be a deadly show! Must be a family thing 'cause your wife and kid were sitting front row at the papa finals..haha! Just watched on YouTube! And holy sheeet batman! That young man Escher sure can pinball! Good for him, & only 13 years old! Yikes

http://www.stevesprinceofsteaks.com/
When in Phila check out steves I like mine Prov/wit!

Yaaaaaay it's almost over. Not yay because I'm leaving the US, but because the rest of my family is back home. I wanna go have a cup of tea with my nana and then cuddle my fat dogs.

Shoutout to my man Pete who is the best scorekeeper at PAPA, and has the best hat ever. Hands down. Plus he does some pretty good interviewing.
I was able to get a selfie with the famous hat, too!

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Regarding the tournament itself, I sucked (at least imo). Especially in B division. I just totally blew it, and nothing worked for me. Like it didn't matter what I did, it just wasn't good enough to get me to the top.

However, that is how pinball goes. So no biggie. I still got 3 big medals regardless...

Now I'm going to drink some more lemonade...

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