Since the sun finally came out on Thursday, I took a walk in the park.

Apparently someone ... or should I say something ... went for a walk before me.

What in the world do these footprints belong to?

This photo was take over by Udderly Blue Ice Cream in our 4th of July section.

Too bad I don't carry a ruler in my pocket, because I would have liked to have measured these footprints. They were huge! Six, eight inches easily. And one right in front of the other.

So what kind of critter or extraterrestrial is roaming the park?

Take a closer look at the above photo and you'll see that the extra toe (on the right) seems to disappear after three steps. What does that mean?

Here's a closer look.

(Sort of reminds me of that famous painting "The Scream." Sort of makes me want to scream.)

So does anyone recognize these huge prints? If so, post a comment please. Or I'm not heading out in the park again until spring!

When last we met, we talked about the East Coaster ACE coaster enthusiast event, and how the crazy weather prevented some of the speakers from getting to Allentown.

We sent a video.

And so did The Gravity Group, creators of The Voyage and our new Timberliner trains.

So, just how excited are you about the new Timberliners? Have you voted in our online poll?

Well, sometimes the weather does make it difficult.

We were invited to speak to the American Coaster Enthusiasts' annual "East Coaster" event over the weekend in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

As in mid-Atlantic states. As in blizzardpalooza.

Since they were already closing airports on Friday, we quickly made a video for the enthusiasts to show during the day on Saturday.

Our weather was warmer, but still messy.

In case you missed the event (or you just want to see what we sent), here's the video:

That's right -- Holidog hitched a ride with Eric, our admissions director, to sunny Miami.

Not sure the pup understands this whole football thing. Right before he and Eric left, I got the impression Holidog was expecting to visit the World's Largest Dog Food Bowl.

Eric says security is very tight (and he forgot to bring Holidog's shot records), but he's hoping Holidog will be allowed in to cheer on the winning team.

Update: Holidog made it up to the front gate and was greeted with -- free Pepsi! (Nice to know this free Pepsi thing is catching on.)

He and Eric will also be snacking on empanadas for lunch.

Another wonderful surprise -- there are rides at the Super Bowl!

Update: What a game! And what a half-time show! Holidog happily howled along with Pete and Roger.

Eighty-something days from now, we'll open for our 64th season.

Job Fairs start this weekend as we begin hiring 2,100 seasonal Hosts & Hostesses.

The snowball has topped the crest and is starting its downhill race.

Just wondering, what are you looking forward to the most when you visit this season?

When we started to plan our online shop, we talked about making it "fit" what we're all about.

We'd use our owners, employees and their families as models for the HoliShop.

We'd have fun. But, honestly, this much fun, Will?

More...

This can be a lonely place.

Not usually, but when it's a week away from the Super Bowl and yours truly is the only one who isn't losing sleep over the excitement of an Indiana team heading to ... Miami is it? ... one can definitely feel like a square peg.

And so I turn to our admissions director, Eric, for help.

Eric digs the Colts.

For the uninitiated, Eric is ... um...smooching the Vince Lombardi Trophy. That's the sterling silver award the Colts took back home to Indiana after winning the Super Bowl in 2007.

Then there's the bling.

Marketing intern Amanda feels lucky wearing the horseshoe ring. Apparently the winning team gets to design its own ring each year.

She really got a kick out of trying it on. (And yes, she did give it back. Eventually.)

Another intern, Brittany, looks like she's planning to run off with the trophy!

Eric tells me our old pal Gary Brackett has been having a good season. (As you may remember, in 2008 he spent the day here with children from his IMPACT Foundation's "Field of Dreams" program.)

That's Brandon Phillips from Bowling Green, who won a charity eBay auction we held to help support Gary's foundation.

Lots of friends were made that day. That's the Colts' mascot, Blue, horsing around with Holidog.

Go Colts! Go to Miami and win that game.

...and don't forget your friends back home when asked, "Hey Colts! You just won the Super Bowl! What are you going to do next?"

Just got a copy of a graphic of the new Voyage trains.

As you may recall, we're getting a set of Timberliner trains, designed by the same engineers who came up with Voyage in the first place. 

Just a few minor changes from the original graphic. Can you find them?

January's nearly over. February is ... for lovers. Fudge lovers, that is.

With each new month comes the decision: which flavor of fudge to offer as our "Fudge of the Month" at the HoliShop. With Valentine's Day looming, that choice is extra important.

And so, for February, foods director Jason says, "Let them decide!" Hence, another poll.

Please take a look at the yummy options and vote for your favorite. At the end of this week, the flavor with the most votes wins. The two traditionally favorite flavors at our Mrs. Klaus's Kitchen--chocolate and peanut butter--will continue be offered each month, so they're not part of the poll.

As you can see below, marketing director John is not fussy in his choice of fudge flavors.

He wants it all.

Does this remind anyone else of the old Dagwood comic strip? And Dagwood sandwiches? Leave it to John to create one out of fudge. (Our web designer didn't select this photo to feature on the HoliShop, so I saved it for the HoliBlog. John's a good sport. Plus I bribed him. With fudge.)

It's been a crummy couple of weather days.

We keep saying, "Well, at least it isn't ice" and "Look on the bright side -- if this was snow, we'd be buried!"

But still, all this gloomy, drizzly rain has been a bummer.

Until this, just a few minutes ago...

Normally, I'd give Marketing Intern Ryan a hard time for gazing out the window when he had ticket orders to fill.

But I think in this case, considering he captured this magical moment, we can let it go.