MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. — Ups and downs. Matt Robert’s every day is full of them.
“I am the chief trial attorney for the Muskegon County Prosecutor's Office," said Matt, walking through Michigan's Adventure theme park.
“Right now, I'd be in my suit. I'd be at the office. I'd be working on cases.”
Today’s ups and downs, though, will throw you for a loop.
“I mean, it's hard not to have fun at an amusement park, right?” he smiled.
Today, he’s trading in the courtroom for a corkscrew — with his son, Drew.
“Growing up, he wasn't into the rides," said Matt, "when he started to like them, it was just like a whole new world opened up."
“I love the coasters. It's just a really good experience to hang out with my dad this much," said Drew, an incoming high school freshman.
Bonding with a teenager is not for the faint of heart. But for Matt and Drew, not being faint of heart is how they got their start.
“I have an older son, his brother, who does not like roller coasters," said Matt. “My wife doesn't like them either."
"This is just our thing," said Drew.
It's a thing that’s brought them across the country — and to a total number of coasters that may lead you to say they’re on a roll.
“Most people, the idea of going on 100 different coasters, they probably wouldn't do that in a lifetime, and we've done it in the space of a couple of months," said Matt.
So far this summer, they've entered the fast pass lane of a different roller coaster 134 times. But for Matt, it’s a chance to ensure life doesn’t pass too fast.
"The stuff I deal with on a daily basis is just sometimes it's just unimaginably horrible, the horrible things that people do to each other. And it's just our job. We just have to deal with it," Matt said.
“If you just focus all your time on your work or think about it, when you get home or don't take time for yourself, you're going to burn out. So this is, how I get my therapy," he said.
Ups and downs are always lurking on the wayside. But on their bench seat for two — it’s easy to enjoy the ride.
“That's a good motto. Yeah, I can get on board with that," smiled Matt.
Matt and Drew have already made plans for their next four parks, which will bring their total ride count to more than 175—their goal for the year. In summer 2025, they may even shoot for the 200s.