Something synonymous with Summer is a trip to an amusement park, especially if there are children in the family. Somehow amusement parks lose some of their sparkle and wonder as we grow older--probably because we discover that life itself holds more excitement than that concocted mechanically.
But a large amusement park with its fun houses, roller coasters, trains, boats, merry-go-rounds, whips and airplanes still is exciting no matter what age--still take you back to your kid days.
Remember the summer days of holding that small youngster on a wooden steed for his first ride on the merry-go-round? Or remember the first breath-taking plunge on that ride alone on the roller coaster? Or the rides with the boyfriend on the "tunnel of love" or dancing in that open air pavilion which was part of every amusement park?
When I was a child there was a certain day in August set aside for families of members of the Shrine. This was a day eagerly awaited when everything in the biggest amusement park in Cleveland, Ohio could be ridden by merely showing a stamped hand.
My father always arranged for the day off and a special friend of mine was my yearly companion on this special day. We'd arrive with the park opening and after Dad showed proper credentials we were duly stamped and turned loose to ride everything in the park. Things that usually demanded six tickets or more were picked first and brand new attractions were always tackled.
My heart was in my mouth more than in my chest and rides I couldn't be dragged on at "pay as you go" park visits were always tried once.
Before lunch we rode the more violent roller coasters and the airplanes that tipped you upside down. The shows and more mild of amusements were kept for that hour after lunch deemed necessary by my parents.
My more venturesome friend on these jaunts was always the driver on the "dodg'em" or the racing cars. She was two years my senior and always the leader. She would ride the highest roller coaster or go into the spookiest fun house with nary a qualm and naturally, I wouldn't be left behind. Once I balked after viewing a high structure she wanted to ascend and descend and her look was withering.
"Spoilsport," sh'd declare with disgust. "Okay, okay, so I'll go alone and leave sissy you right here alone and missing the fun."
That did it! I didn't want to miss the fun so I trotted along to try everything.
Even my parents rode amusements they'd never consider at regular prices and I remember my mother stopped the race horse derby one picnic day.
These wonder horses went around five in a row on a huge round pie, and at a bell, they'd move swiftly forward in a long box enclosure at high speed. The horse who stayed ahead got a flag in his bridle and a free ride for his passenger.
But mother stopped the machinery while the man who ran the "flying derby" insisted she straddle the horse instead of riding the more ladylike side saddle. She refused and the ride came to a stop until she climbed off. My girlfriend and I continued the ride red faced.
If I eat ham salad today I'm always reminded of the Shrine picnic as that was the yearly filling for our picnic sandwiches.
The day always ended with the purchase of a gas filled balloon--popcorn buttery warm--sticky popcorn balls and bags of wrapped candy kisses always hard on the fillings.
Exhausted, we'd tumble into bed but not to sleep. In whispers we'd discuss the high points of our day and still feel like we were riding the roller coaster all night. Our big day was over to be eagerly waited for the next year.
And to this day Summer wouldn't be right without one day at an amusement park. Not to try the rides myself anymore, but to see the kids have fun and to awaken memories of that special day in my own young Summer.
September 9, 1965