True of Queen Victoria, I guess, but not me. The family went to Kings Island on Saturday, a major regional amusement park in southwest Ohio. It was a terrible day to go, but the only one available to all of us. 95 degrees F (36 C?), with humidity to make it feel 105. Warmish.
We rode lots of coasters, and my boy didn't balk at any of them this year. He's finally getting over his fear of the unpredictable, and he greatly enjoyed himself. We even rode a couple after dark, something new to us. It's kind of like the whole ride being in a tunnel. Quite thrilling, but rough on the neck not knowing what turns lie ahead.
My oldest enjoyed going up to the observation deck of the Eiffel Tower. Yeah, you heard me right. They have a 1/3 scale replica there, 314 feet high. It's the centerpiece of the park.
Weird Tangent: Anyone conversant on the 1968-74 sitcom The Brady Bunch will know Kings Island. Americans my age can quote chapter and verse on the Bradys or Gilligan's Island. Just try me. In the last season (I think) they did an episode promoting Kings Island. It seems the architect father, Mike, has been deeply involved in the creation of the park, so the family got to go visit it. Quite possibly where the show jumped the shark (if it's possible for a show this mediocre to lose credibility). Lots of lingering shots of the family enjoying the park, with a tiny plot draped over it.
Back to the present: My wife and son went off to the water park for a couple hours in the afternoon. I don't really like my body much in its current state, so the girls not being in a condition to swim gave me an easy out. This gave me an opportunity to disappoint my wife regarding my parenting skills. My oldest was not feeling well while Mrs. L was away, and I failed to take the proper steps, or recognize the problem (likely dehydration, but she doesn't tell me she's thirsty). So now the missus is worried what would become of our daughter if Mrs. L weren't around. I think she just needs to have a nit to pick.
A grand time, for the most part. Everyone is old enough now to be semi-independent, and we've aged out of tantrums (though teenage surliness and sarcasm is more frequent). No one barfed, a whole new level of success for us. The entertainment is canned, but it does provide lasting memories for everyone involved.
Musings: It's All About Community
5 hours ago
Sounds like you had a good day :) It's been a while since I went to a theme park. Have to see about getting a trip set up next year...
ReplyDeleteStace
We have an amusement park just north of Richmond, called King's Dominion, that opened up back in the early to mid 70's. It has a scaled down Eiffel Tower replica too! It must be a sister park of Kings Island. When it first opened, it had an adjacent wild life park, call Lion Country Safari, where you could drive your car through a wilderness area filled with African wildlife. That part was eventually done away with.
ReplyDeleteGlad you and your family enjoyed yourselves. Any outing where the kids don't barf is a good one! You must be a hearty bunch, to have braved that kind of heat.
Melissa XX
Heat takes its toll. Amusement/theme parks do so equally. And besides that, parents are not the same in understanding the needs of their children and don’t you think this is different for families with one or more parent doubting his/her gender. I can’t remember having a day out with my family without any stress moments but looking back we relish the time spend together. You are so right about that.
ReplyDeleteCorinna
You are correct, Melissa. They were developed by the same people in the early seventies. Kings Island has changed hands at least three times in the last 15 years, so I think it's unlikely that they are still linked by anything other than Eiffel towers.
ReplyDeleteWe had the Lion Country Safari too, except with a monorail! Long gone, like yours. I think they found being zookeepers was not as profitable as they'd hoped.
I'm glad you and your family had a good time... "for the most part." I haven't been to an amusement park for four years now. It's a bit overdue, methinks.
ReplyDeleteRegarding Melissa's comment, I've been to Kings Dominion two or three times when I was little, as my parents would take us for a tour of the east coast every summer. I remember liking it, that and Hershey's Park. :)
The debate rages of course, but I contend that The Brady Bunch jumped the shark in Hawaii.
ReplyDeletePractically every facet of that overwrought 2 part family adventure stretched credibility to and beyond the snapping point.
After overcoming the totemic curse of Mr. Kanaamee's idol, there was nothing for la familia Brady to do other than to whore themselves out to the highest bidder, Kings Island included.
It is a shame, Marcia was maturing quite nicely.
You should trek further north and go to Cedar Point. They have the most amazing roller coasters! I can only handle the newer ones that aren't as jerky as the older ones. My old bod can't handle those older ones that toss and jerk you around a lot. I loved the Brady Bunch and Gilligan's Island! And don't forget Hogan's Heroes!
ReplyDeletePetra, I knew I could count on you for an argument. The Hawaii story arc was full of holes, yes, but Vincent Price more than made up for it! And tarantulas! What else do you want from television, girl?
ReplyDeleteIt could be said that both our choices for shark jumping were just the show creeping toward the abyss that was Cousin Oliver. This "plot device" was the gold standard before Fonzie ever thought about waterproofing his leather jacket. Robbie Rist (bastard son of John Denver?) had a mercifully short acting career. Trying to squeeze laughs out of this "situation" was the death knell of a truly mediocre American classic.
Ah, Marcia... I blame you for my long, straight hair fetish.