It’s officially the dog days of summer, whatever that means.
It’s lemonade drinkin’, divin’ in the pool HOT! That’s why July is a great time to kick back and enjoy our latest installment of RFM, filled with everything from Disney to horses to violins.
So far this summer, we’re having fun as a family reliving summertime memories. As we found out on our recent visit to Busch Gardens, my soon- to-be 5-year-old is finally tall enough to ride some of my favorite amusement park rides, and what fun I’ve had turning him into a little adrenalin e junkie. First up, Le Catapult, also known as the Scrambler or the Merry Mixer. After spending my youth in the “get totally smashed by your cousins” outside spot, I was nice enough to give Will the inside. Spinning in and out with a big “whooooah” at every turn, we smiled until we both had sore cheeks from all the laughing by the time we stumbled off the ride.
Next up, the log flume. After an excitement-building wait, we jumped into our soggy log, Will in front of me to block the water (or so I thought). We gleefully floated our way through the trees to the top of the BIG drop , and then SPLASH!, down we went, screaming all the way. When we assessed the outcome of the plunge, Will was pleased to see that he was relatively dry, while I was completely drenched. He couldn’t run fast enough back to Daddy to report on Mommy’s soaking wet shorts and hair.
We dried out on the way over to the bumper cars. Now this is where my fond childhood memories begin to sour. Bumper cars have a special place in my heart – right next to dodgeball. Both, in my opinion, are just plain ol’ mean – clearly invented just for the bullies of the world who love an excuse to smack the you-know-what out of their friends. Here’s how I remember it: The ride starts, and my car just spins around and around in circles. It didn’t matter what I did with the pedals or the steering wheel, I was just stuck in the spin cycle, like a broken washing machine. SLAM from the back! BAM from the right! I was getting pummeled from all sides, as I helplessly felt the whiplash set in. As Will and I wait in line, 30-some-odd years later, I watch another little girl go through a similar misery. I get more and more nervous about what will happen to my little guy when he gets behind the wheel. Then, as if the universe knew I wasn’t ready for it, Will announced that he’d had enough waiting in line. A stay of execution for my fearless little man.
Our adventures continued on the boardwalk in Ocean City (the real one, in Maryland), where we conquered the Tilt-a-Whirl and the Whip, my absolute favorite ride from childhood. The red velvet cushions were unchanged, and as I watched Will’s little body slide from one side of the seat to the other on the turn, and shake with uncontrollable laughter, I was taken right back to the dog days of yesteryear, and I too, shook with laughter.
From all of us at RFM, enjoy the summer!
