Tuesday, August 3, 2004

Amusement Park

Hot hot hot.  Why is it that when I go to an amusement park it is so HOT!   I imagine it is all the concrete and so little green foliage to absorb the heat.  This was my first trip to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom.  When I realized this, it surprised me because the park has been around for a long time, since the late 80's.  It always seemed the second destination point after Kings Island, which is only another 45 minutes away from where I live.  

I rode one ride, the giant Ferris Wheel.  It was thrilling to be so high and look out over the park and get my bearings on where everything is situated.  Other than that, we rode nothing.  Not one singe roller coaster, not one single water ride, not one single yell till you think you are going to pass out ride!  The Slingshot looked like the Mother of all rides too.  Two people are strapped into a huge open ball and then virtually snapped up into the air much like a slingshot.  Bungee Jumping in Reverse.

We hung out at the Wave Pool and beat the heat that way.  My buddy from work, Ted, lost his Panama hat on the Ferris Wheel.  It flew into the Wave Pool area.  They were leaving the park as we were headed into the pool area.  We volunteered to retrieve the hat.  And we actually located the hat, upside down under a lawn chair.  When I presented it to Ted yesterday he says, "That's not my hat!"....Oooooppppppsssssssssss!!!!  

The amusement park is aptly named.  Not only in reference to the rides and attractions, but for the people watching. What a slice of Americana parading around in 90 degree weather.  It is fascinating and akin to gawking at a car accident.  Children crying, children carrying on and acting up, frustrated parents, arguments erupting between overheated couples, lovers smooching, teenagers trying to maintain the appearance of coolness on the jerking, jarring rides.  For me, that was the amusement. 

That's when you know, that's when it smacks you in the head..."Oh my God!!! I'm over the Hill!!!" Also, I lost my 35mm.  My small canon point and shoot.  That totally bummed me out.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those teenagers will be over the hill soon...that should be some consolation. LOL I don't go on rides I get so sick. I can't even stand to watch them go around and around and around. And the heat. Oh It's as though you took me there with ya...thanks a lot! : )

Anonymous said...

Glad you enjoyed the place. We use to go in the late 80.s and early 90's. very early 90's then it bacame six flags and just before that had started to get noticed. We use to could go and walk right up tothe rides. NOW it s so busy so crowsed. the wave pool you just bounc off people. We use to get in and just play all day. I love the lazy river though. But we havent been for seven years. I bet it has changed alot. Lori OH Yeah sorry aboutyour camera that is a bummer. I wonder if that guy is looking for his hat. LOL

Anonymous said...

We have a Six Flags here in New England.  A couple of years ago, my sister and I decided to go on the Superman rollercoaster.  I hear what you're saying about "hot, hot, hot" because we had to stand in line for TWO hours!  The park personnel came around only once, offering lemonade at four bucks a whack.  We got to the front of the line and were able to position ourselves to sit in the first car.  When we went down that first drop, I opened my mouth to scream and was never able to shut it again during the remainder of the ride.  It was THAT intense.  By the time we got back to the starting point, I had a line of drool that went from my perpetually opened mouth all the way into my ear.

BEST coaster I've ever been on.

Anonymous said...

So funny you stole someone's hat!  But, I guess if you are doing it for a friend, it's not stealing!  Over the hill....yes, I know that ride!  I want my money back!!!!!!Glad you had fun!  JAE

Anonymous said...

The two of us are a pair...scratching our heads, wondering how we can be over the hill when we don't remember ever feeling grown up. I went for a walk and a beer last night at a local marina. I realized that as I was checking out the women, I was being checked out too...by their mothers. Drop by Trickle...I KNOW you have some song lines for me. Paul

Anonymous said...

Those moments when I just know seem to be coming more and more often lately.

Anonymous said...

On a hot day, I personally enjoy playing "fashion police."  It never ceases to amaze me what people will wear out of the house when it's hot out.

Over the hill?  Welcome to the scout pack....  Lisa  :-]

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry you lost your camera..........

Anonymous said...

Strange how ages changes you. When I was reading, I realilzed that today, all I could ride is a ferris wheel without going in my pants. : ) Way back, the more dangerous the ride, the faster I'd run to it.

Anonymous said...

Hey I do hope you did enjoy the day   jonh

Anonymous said...

I just got acquainted with your journal.  I love it, it's addictive!  Will be back to read more of your life's journeys.  Penny

http://journals.aol.com/blondepennierae/APenniesWorth

Anonymous said...

No roller coasters????
Sheesh. You're no fun;)

Anonymous said...

We have season passes there, but I usually try to beg off and let someone else take my daughter.  For that very reason, it's too HOT.  I think I've figured it out, Ky Kingdom is set in a kind of depression, so there's never any breeze, and like you said, no trees.  Well maybe three trees, back by the log ride.

But during Hallowscream, it's a lot more fun, not as hot, and I like to people-watch then, too.

Anonymous said...

Well I don't count that as a sign of aging, because I never did like rides that make me nauseous or turn me upside down.  I can't believe they didn't have any 'in between' rides.. you know, ones you can get on without clearance from NASA.  ¤Holly

Anonymous said...

I realized that I was over the amusement park hill a couple of summers ago. A friend and I went to Knottsbury Farms. By about the fourth roller coaster I couldn't take it anymore. I went by myself on that ride and the little boy in the car in front of me looked all of six and the entire time I was in a panic that he would slide out from under the bar never to be seen again. That's when I realized that I felt that kind of stress on every ride. It didn't feel like fun; it felt like work. No thank you!
:-) ---Robbie