Lily and Emmy earn free tickets to Six Flags Great America through their reading program during the school year. Six Flags is only about a 45 minute drive from us, and we try to go once a year. My in-laws live even closer to Six Flags so they buy a season pass. A couple of weeks ago, we all went together–and then split up once we walked into the gates. Ed and my nephew convinced me to go on the new coaster Goliath, supposedly the tallest and steepest wooden roller coaster in the world, while Lily and Emmy went with my niece and sister-in-law for some tamer rides.
After a 2 hour wait, it was finally our turn. It was a little nerve-wracking that Goliath didn’t have shoulder restraints, but a lap belt and lap bar instead. That first drop just about did me in! And then we went upside down twice and through a corkscrew, not necessarily in that order…my brain was a little scrambled. I may have screamed a little.
Later that day, as we were walking past X-Flight (last summer’s new coaster), the wait sign said 45 minutes. Ed hadn’t been on it yet, so we decided to wait while the rest of the group went to a different ride. It soon became obvious that the wait was going to be twice as long as the sign said. Ed and I passed the time with some old-married-couple conversation.
“If I knew the wait was longer than 45 minutes, we wouldn’t have gotten in line.”
“Oh, look, someone lost their hat.”
And of course, the long companionable silences that comes from being married for almost 12 years.
About half way through our wait in the middle of a twisty-turny section of the line, Ed saw a couple that he knew years ago. After their hellos, the wife exclaimed, “We were just talking about you, Ed, and how fun it was to stand in line with you! You were so entertaining!” Turning to me she asked, “Is he still like that?”
“No. He’s actually very boring,” I said. And then they had to move in their direction and we moved in ours.
After our “flight,” (Ed said, “You know it’s a good ride when Ginny laughs the whole time!”) Ed and I joined the rest of the group. The girls wanted to go on the Demon, another roller coaster, so we waited in yet another line. As we were waiting, Ed started to joke around with our nephew, making everyone laugh. All I did was give him a look. “I know what you’re going to say,” he said. And I didn’t even need to say it. I just laughed instead.
This totally reminded me of last year when we went to Splish Splash (a water park near us) with the girls, my brother and a close friend. Kevin and I got to sneak away to go on one of the more adult rides. We stood in line for about 45 minutes or so and the whole time Kevin was entertaining me and those in front and behind us. Sounds like Ed and Kevin would get along famously waiting on a ride line 🙂
Janine Huldie recently posted…MomAssembly To the Rescue
I just hate long lines, which is why we go to Six Flags only once a summer! It is fun to be able to sneak away from the kids, though, and enjoy the bigger rides!
Ginny Marie recently posted…Standing in Line with Ed
Ah, yes, the comfortable silence of married life. I remember the laughter of days gone by, too. Seems the same thing happened with us. Fun story!
Jenny recently posted…Dad and God’s Grace
We have our moments, but he’s definitely funnier when other people are around! 😉
Ginny Marie recently posted…Standing in Line with Ed
haha! I loved that you said he was very boring.
We have Six Flags season passes even though Scarlet can’t go on any of the big rides yet. Ok, I can’t either. Maybe when we both grow up!
Tamara recently posted…Nearly Wordless Wednesday: A Quirky Compilation.
I can’t go on anything that spins in circles, so I just watch. Even the carousel makes me dizzy!
That is the exit we would get off of to head to my dad’s cottage on Huntley Lake when he had it! I love roller coasters. My husband doesn’t like amusement parks and won’t do the lines at all! Sounds like it was a fun day…..
Deborah Pucci recently posted…WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE
It was a fun day! Ugh, I hate standing in lines, but sometimes it’s worth it because the girls have so much fun.
I am scared out of my mind at Six Flags. The ground has enough excitement for me. Good for you.
Bryan and I have been in marital silence for a few years. It is almost like we are expecting the kids to add all the verbal excitement two sets of ears can handle. One day we will add to the silence……….
An empty nest sounds like paradise on certain days.
Sharon, The Mayor recently posted…Enough Already, Pat’s Carrot Cake Recipe
Ha! I know exactly what you mean! The girls are chatterboxes!
Oh you are so brave Ginny! Big rollar coasters scare the wits out of me. I am the one who likes to stay on the ground. Sounds like you had a great time!
I’m starting to like staying on the ground more and more! Both Ed and I were exhausted after our adventures that day!
Roller coasters are not my thing… But it sounds like you had a good time waiting in line with your hubby — hope you have many more laughs together through the years!
I used to love roller coasters and some where along the way I no longer like them. What gets me it the first drop. I hate that free fall feeling. Glad you guys had fun!
Kristina Walters @ Kris On Fitness recently posted…Running Is Contagious
I love roller coasters, but hubby doesn’t so I don’t often get to wait in those long lines with him. It would probably be a fun experience though!
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