When I was a kid one of my all time favorite things to do was go to the amusement park. I say “the”, because back then the only one we went to was Rocky Point. It was just in the next town over, and we went every year…multiple times at that. And I was fearless. I can’t remember half the names of the rides that I went on, but they were fast, went upside down, hung in death defying angles, and dropped in ways that you would think a human being just shouldn’t be able to tackle unscathed.
I’m not sure exactly when I got old, but it definitely happened. The time has now come that I, with the exception of the occasional non-spiral roller coaster, just can’t do the Roley-Poly, upside down while spinning and swaying to and fro crap. It was great while it lasted, and it is with slight dismay that I have abandoned the activity.
It’s Kids’ Day this weekend in our fine town of North Attleboro. Kids’ Day isn’t just a day; it’s a 4 day carnival. Last year when we went, Sofia was only old enough to ride the merry-go-round. I was really excited to take her this year, with the thought that she might be old enough for a few more of the kiddie rides. Poor Dominic was stroller bound. First stop, of course, is back to the merry-go-round. It was all she could talk about for the past few days. It’s the best feeling, seeing your child overcome with glee. I tried to slip back into my memory of being a young girl, seeing all the beautiful horses, and hearing the all too familiar music of the ride. I can remember picking out my horse while in line and hoping that it would be available by the time I got through. Sofia approached it the same way. “I want the purple one!” she exclaimed as I walked her around the circumference looking for a horse.
After a few romps on the horses I suggest we go find something else. There was a “Crazy Bus” ride, which was basically a big open bus that goes around in a circle, slowly, but pretty damn high up. She’s psyched. We ride along and talk about how we are “way up in the sky!!!” Afterwards, she spies the Viking Ship ride that swings way up, very fast I might add, to and fro. Clearly, this is an adult ride. Not only would I never take her on it at her age, but I’m also pretty sure the operator wouldn’t allow it either. Instead I convince her to go on the Tugboat ride, which is basically the same thing but much smaller and more kid friendly.
After a few rides on the tugboat with my elated toddler, openly giggling as we move in circles and swing back and forth, I start to get a not so easy feeling. With every spin and turn, as my daughter shouted “WEE”, I was trying to keep my eyes focused on something to avoid the horrible dizzy feeling that was creeping within me as my stomach turned over. I don’t think that I came all that close to yakking, but it did feel like a possibility at the time. We only bought two bracelets for ride access, one for Sofia and one which (bad idea in hindsight) was tightly fastened with glue around my wrist. There were no substitutions to be had unless we wanted to spend another $20 for Tony to go get one. I managed, but I pretty much had to breathe through it.
I’ve learned something about my little girl though, and that’s this apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. She’s fearless. She loves the feeling of the air breezing across her face as she spins, and finds elation in going way up high and then back down again. She even went running for one of the roller coasters, which she had no hope of riding. Thankfully I was able to avoid that near tantrum with the allure of a hot dog and fries. After a good break I was back with her on the Tugboat and Crazy Bus, and one more trip on the merry-go-round. One thing’s for certain, with my beloved Rocky Point long gone, I see a lot of 6 Flags in my future for years to come. I better stock up on the Dramamine.
Sofia and Mama enjoying the Tugboat ride.
Mama starting to feel a the repercussions of too much spinning.
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