Monday, September 3, 2012

What I Did Last Summer Blog Hop

What I Did Last Summer Blog Hop: Fact or Fiction?

Emily and Melodie are hosting this fun blog hop! To see the rules go here.

For two hours of standing in line at Knott's Berry Farm, I had remained calm, but here, at the top of the stairs, just one more ride away from our turn, my heart had begun to beat faster. My palms sweated, and I took deep breaths. My husband, who had stood with my daughters and I patiently for the last two hours, left us there, taking the non-riders exit. On the last ride, he had seen black spots at the edge of his vision, and he didn't think a ride that would flip riders over six times, travel at 55 mph, and start with an inital drop of 109 feet would be good for him.

The coaster in front of us left with a jerk and then a whoosh. Screams filled the air. My daughters hugged me, and told me they were excited. I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Sure, I had been on this ride before . . .when they were too little to ride anything other than Snoopy's Skateboard and the Wagon Ride. Eight years can change a person though. I knew that. I couldn't ride spinning rides anymore without getting sick. Was I sure I could ride the Silver Bullet? The look of the ride was scary enough; as a suspended coaster, it would leave our feet dangling in the air, and I wondered if the seat belts and safety harnass really safe? I started breathing faster.

"Don't worry, Mom," said my youngest daughter, "It only lasts two minutes. You'll be ok for two minutes."

As long as I didn't pass out.

The previous riders exited. Everyone looked exhilerated. No one was sick or unconcious. I followed my daughters onto the ride. After a few minutes of fumbling through the safety straps with shaking fingers, I pulled them as tight as they could go. One of the ride assistants checked my straps and smiled at me reassuringly. I nodded, and took a deep breath. My feet dangled uselessly below me, and I trembled.

My daughters laughed.

I looked over at them with some concern. They were so thin, did the straps really fit them right? What if they fell out of the ride? I was reassured by the harnesses, and the sight of them gripping the handles. Then with a few seconds warning, the ride jerked.

With a smooth whoosh we were flying forwards, then down, then up. I had to keep my eyes open. The pavement rushed towards us, then away, blue sky above my feet, then pavement below them. I screamed for the joy of the crazy flight, for the terror and andrenaline coursing through my veins.

So, fact or fiction? Did I ride the Silver Bullet last summer?

Paranormya Cover Reveals posted tomorrow!!!

17 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

From the sound of it, if you did it, you only did it once!
This would've been total fiction from me. I don't do loops at all.

Gwen Gardner said...

HaHa! Sounds like you rode it to me:)

Tyrean Martinson said...

Alex - not everyone can . . .wish I could reveal answer, but not until Friday

Gwen - I'll let you know on Friday!

Emily R. King said...

I love roller coasters! I hope you really did this. What a rush!

Tara Tyler said...

will determine after reading wed, but i bet you did! i never would! i'm over rollercoasters!

Kimberly Gabriel said...

When I was younger, I used to love roller coasters. Then I hit a certain age and for whatever reason can't enjoy them the same way anymore! I'm thinking fact...but my official guess will Wed. ;)

Aidyl Ewoh said...

Arrggg! I can’t tell if it’s true or not. Guess I’ll have to vote on Wen. =0 By the way, your blog is where I found out about the bloghop. Thanks!
~Aidyl

ilima said...

Before having kids, definitely would ride it. After? I don't know. Hmm...

Heather Murphy said...

I'm thinking this is true. I have never been a lover of roller coasters and now I have a heart condition so I have a good excuse not to ride :)

Melodie Wright said...

I'd say this was true - but only once. If you're like me, roller coasters just aren't the same as they were when I was young. They make me sick now! *sad face*

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Fiction. I'm taking a risk.

michelle said...

You DID NOT ride the Silver Bullet...
I'm going with fiction.

Karen Lange said...

Two minutes can seem like an eternity depending on the circumstances...:)

Tyrean Martinson said...

Emily - I wish I could respond, but then I would give myself away!

Tara - I'm waiting for Wednesday too for all my votes

Kimberly - I'm waiting on the Wednesday stories too

Aidyl - You're Welcome!

ilima - kids can make a difference

Heather - I'm sorry about your heart condition.

Melodie - age can definitely make a difference on our perspective of rides

Sheena and michele - You are both huge risk takers - I'm wimping out and not voting until Wednesday

Karen - That's true!

Aidyl Ewoh said...

I’ve decided to vote this as fact, the other one as fiction. =)

A.L. Sonnichsen said...

I'm guessing ... FALSE! I don't know why. With most of these I'm making stabs into the dark. They're all so believable! :)

Shell Flower said...

Funny how age changes you. Back in the day I loved roller coasters, but now...not so much. I think this is true, though.