I Sat On Top of a Rollercoaster for a Whole Year

And refused repeated offers of help

Photo by Will Myers on Unsplash

I still remember the very first time I rode a “big” rollercoaster. It was The Beast at King’s Island — an amusement park located just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio.

For a short time, it was the longest wooden coaster in the world. The total ride time is just over four minutes. It’s a pretty awesome experience.

But, that first time, I was more than a little scared. Still, I was on the ride — strapped in with no way out.

I remember that second big hill (I closed my eyes during the first one). The chain lifts to the top. Before the drop, there was a pause. It seemed . . . longer than I wanted.

And, I looked around. Saw the park from my perch. And then noticed the stairs right next to the track, the ladder that led to the ground.

I realized that if something happened, this was the way down. The only way down. I told myself I’d rather just sit there and wait for the coaster to work again than walk down the stairs and ladder. I didn’t care if someone was next to me or behind me — going down those stairs was more terrifying than just about anything.

Then, the ride moved again, we whooshed down the hill, I screamed, and all was right with the world.