Roller Coasters No More

So I didn't think the day would ever come.  Ever.  I even laughed at the proposition when I heard the prediction as a child.  No way, jose.  It may be truth for some, but never for me.

Well, it finally happened.  I've officially grown out of some amusement parks.  Here's the story . . .

Yesterday Raleigh and I went to spend a day at Elitch's Amusement Park with our friends Brian and Mick before heading downtown to the Taste of Colorado.  It'd been years since we were last there, and figured it'd be a great way to hang out with each other, expend a bit of energy, and just have some fun before walking the streets of LoDo on the lookout for good local fare.

The first ride we went on was fun--Hollywood & Vine--a twirly ride where you're strapped in a car with one other person, and then the cars spin around a center point, faster and faster, with one end pointed up and the other towards the ground.  (Think spinning frisbee, tipped on its side.)  It was great.  A good warmer-upper for the more "exciting" rides deeper into the park.  We all exited laughing and having a good time.

Next was the famous Mind Eraser roller coaster.  This is the one on all the television commercials and can be seen from the highway.  I've been on it probably two dozen times before, although admittedly the last time I was probably still in my teens.  Regardless, we all stood in line and when it was our turn, buckled in with nervous excitement.  This time, the rattle of the track and the whoosh of the wind pushing past my face kept me from hearing Raleigh who was sitting beside me.  But as the cars came to an abrupt halt, and then slowly crept their way into the loading/unloading zone, I could hear him . . . groaning.

"Sweetie, what's wrong?  You okay?"

"Um, no."

The harnesses were released and I jumped out of my seat.  Raleigh was hobbling towards the ride's exit, not walking upright, and not moving quickly.  "The coaster jarred my back," he grimaced.  I could see the pain on his face.  "Oooh, this isn't good," I thought.

One quick look back towards Brian and Mick and my thought was confirmed.  There was Brian, lurched over the railing, puking his guts out.  "Nope, not good at all."

Mick and I managed to go on a couple more rides, while Raleigh sprawled himself on out every flat section he could fine (picnic tables, retaining walls, cement dividers, etc.) and Brian quietly sat nearby to watch.  (He did eventually remove himself to the car for an hour or so.)

And I was fine--as was Mick--until we hit the Half Pipe ride.  It's like a giant snow/skateboard that holds 8-10 people (facing out, back-to-back), which is mounted onto a larger "board" that while spinning in circles, moves up and down a mounted "half pipe" into the sky.  I cannot remember praying harder than I did for that ride to be over with, as within 30 seconds I thought I was going to die.  My head was POUNDING and it hurt so bad I was certain my brain had to be bleeding out my ears.  I was in so much pain I couldn't even cry, although I wished I could so there might be some relief.  No such luck, at least until the ride ended and I could stumble down the stairs towards my hurting hunny who was patiently waiting for us to give the thumbs up for and approval to exit.

Thumbs up I gave him, and we headed out of there shortly after that.  I never thought the day would come when amusement parks wouldn't be so much fun, but I think I found that day!  It definitely was not as much fun as I remember... 

Next time, we're sticking with Water World.  :)