Stop the World, I Want to Get Off!

Today I took the kids to the Columbus Day fair in town. All three got ride bracelets because we had a few hours of free time. The older two went off on their own for a while and I hung out with our littlest. He went on the big slide, the bumper cars, and the bouncer. He then wanted to go on something called the Sizzler. Lots of spinning and up and down. I likened it to the Paratrooper, my old nemesis at Adventureland when I was growing up. 30 years ago I learned that any amusement park ride that spun around fast would make me hurl. So I told my son that he could go on by himself.

The attendant said he was tall enough, but needed a companion because the ride's force throws the occupants to the outer part of the car and there must be two or three people in it. Sigh. Maybe I'd be OK. He wanted to go, so I took the plunge. Eyes shut tight the entire time. Holding on to the kid, willing the ride to be over with every movement. I'm sure it was no longer than two or three minutes, but I needed to steady myself when I emerged. We had to move slowly over to one of the tables in the food area (luckily only 20 paces). I didn't hurl but was mighty dizzy and nauseous. Oh for the love of a child. Three and a half hours later, I'm just beginning to feel as though my stomach has settled.

When we reunited with the other two amigos, the oldest and youngest went on that ride together while middle child was on the bumper cars. I couldn't watch too much of the spinning, but I did notice that they both had their eyes open and were screaming with delight. Yoicks. I'm glad they didn't get the "can't spin" gene from Mom.

Here's a shot of bumper cars in action and Sizzler ready to begin.