Speechless in Hershey

I don't do roller coasters. They've always scared me just to look at them. But when Paul and Bryan pleaded with me to ride a roller coaster at Hershey Park, telling me it was time "to face your fears," I took the challenge.

Bryan told me that the Comet was the easiest of the "real" roller coasters at Hershey and that it would be a good first ride for me. We went over to check it out and it didn't look so bad. Before I knew it, I had talked myself into riding it, and was zipping down its hills and around its curves, screaming my head off and having a great time.

Since I survived the Comet, the boys lobbied for me to ride the Wildcat, another wooden coaster, but, in Bryan's opinion, one that was bigger and scarier. We went to take a look at it and, with some trepidation, I agreed to give it a try.

Well! From the first downhill plunge, the Wildcat left me speechless. Not with fright --though it was really scary to me -- but with astonishment at the entire sensation of riding such a noisy, jerky, thrilling ride. Talk about being in the moment! I think time literally stood still. I know that I rode the whole ride with my mouth open, not making a noise.


When I got off I couldn't speak for minutes.

It's just amazing how kids can open up the world to you.


To end on a soothing note, here's a nice, calm picture from our Hershey trip.