MasonMetu Blog

Turning 40 is a BIG deal but surviving riding Firehawk is even bigger.  I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I asked my friend, LP, to go with me to Kings Island last week.  Kids in school? Check! Beautiful day with no humidity? Check! Moms ready to ride? Check! No lines? Priceless.

Kings Island and I go way way back.  I fondly remember the days when I would don that oh so flattering Bavarian frock and joyously serve park patrons puff pastry, cotton candy and funnel cakes. It was great coming home with cotton candy streaked through my hair while my younger brother asked if I brought any funnel cakes home for him since they smelled delicious (uhhhhh, that would be the new perfume I’m wearing called “OFD” – otherwise known as “ode to fried dough”).

We’ve had family season passes since the girls were babes so we haven’t had a chance to venture much out of kiddie land.  But for one glorious day (really 1.5 hours), I got to ride, ride, ride and scream, scream, scream.  With our gold passes in hand, we entered the park early and headed straight for Diamondback. I can now say that I have conquered Diamondback twice and I would definitely ride again.  Getting over the height factor (it’s the tallest roller coaster at KI) is a bit difficult especially since you are only harnessed in by a lap restraint (granted it’s a big restraint that comes over your lap to touch your waist but there are no upper harnesses so your upper body is free and clear- a bit disconcerting for me). After looking up info on Diamondback, I see this comment, “the lapbar must be secured at all time”….uh, check and double check that one. The ride itself is fast and smooth – you don’t feel jolted but you do feel your cheeks wobble.  LP asked if that was the result of our age – “No, that is the G force – age has nothing to do with it”, I replied.

 After Diamondback, we were on a mission to ride as much as we could handle. Our next stop was the Backlot Stunt Coaster.  This is one of my favorite rides.  I like zipping along in those little cars and I feel secure.  There is no sense whatsoever that you are going to fall out of that ride and there are no upside down loops to worry about.  Next we headed to the indoor roller coaster, Flight of Fear, another ride that I love because of the speed and since it’s in the dark I don’t really know what to expect but I do feel secure (harness comes over the shoulders and buckles in at the seat).

Near Flight of Fear is Firehawk.  I didn’t even know Firehawk existed and I have never ridden it in my life.  LP asked me if I wanted to go and I’m like sure.  Uh, FYI if you ever ride with LP do not be deceived.  She is a thrill rider.  Since there were no lines (no lines means there is no time to bail out) we were on the ride in no time flat and FLAT is exactly the position I was put in.  After getting restrained (this time with a full upper body restraint - over the shoulder and then over the lap with some contraption covering my feet), the announcement came on that we would now be lowered backward to a prone position. WHAT??????  There’s nothing like having all the blood flow to your head while you are slowly being pulled upside down as the roller coaster creeps to the top.  Then LP tells me to get ready because once we were at the top, we were going to be flipped over.  “ARE YOU SERIOUS?” LP calmly laughs and the next thing I know we were flipped over faster than a hot cake at Perkins. 

I have never been more terrified in my life.  This was not the ride for me and it seemed to last forever.  You are hanging face down in a prone position while rocketing through twists and turns and loop-de-loops.  I closed my eyes for most of the ride and clutched my hand rails so hard that I think I lost circulation for a few minutes.  I felt like I was going to fall out of that ride.  I could feel my legs pressing down on the restraints and I swear they felt like they were going to come free at any moment.  Help me please! I don’t think LP made one little peep but me, I was screaming the whole time, “LP what have you gotten me into”.

Thankfully I made it through Firehawk but that will be the first and last time we ever spend terrifying quality time together. LP and I finished our day with a few more roller coasters – Adventure Express (more my speed and classified as a “family ride), and Fight Deck (love this one since you are in your own car with a shoulder harness and lapbar and you don’t do any flips but you do go fast). 

Now, after my terrifying thrilling ride on Firehawk, I have a whole new appreciation for thrill seekers and LP can definitely run with the big dogs.  She’s even excited for their new ride, WindSeeker, coming out in 2011.  Uh, LP, I can tell you right now that I will not be going on a ride that is 301 feet tall and spins you around and around at a 45 degree angle with your feet dangling down.  Ummmmm, nope that is definitely not for me.