Walk with me for a minute, will you? We are shuffling our way through a LONG line; our bellies filled with equal parts dread and excitement. We finally get to the front and step onto the platform. He points towards the first car and we slide onto the cold, hard plastic with our hearts jackhammering in our chests. With a loud thunk, he pushes the padded safety device into the locked position around our shoulders.

As we watch him walk away, I wonder if it’s too late to yell. Tell him I changed my mind and that I need to get off. But, he pushes the button and with a jerk, the car beneath us glides forward and we ratchet up the giant incline, one terrifying foot at a time. I can’t look down and I don’t want to look up, so I grab your hand, close my eyes, and tell myself to C.T.F.O. and try to enjoy the ride.  (more…)