potato patch fries cure all

After yesterday’s episode of bank drama, I needed a release. The husband and the baby and I had had plans to go to Kennywood for a little bit. Originally, I was going to leave work a little early so we could get some decent hours in, but since I had to spend nearly two hours at the bank, that wouldn’t work.

So they picked me up, we debated whether or not it was worth it since it was nearly 5:30 at that point, had an argument, and I cried again, all in the space of about five minutes. Then the husband got all alpha male and declared, “FUCK IT, WE’RE GOING,” and I replied, “OH YAY I CAN’T WAIT TO SPEND TIME WITH MY ‘LOVELY’ FAMILY! CAN WE SCREAM AT EACH OTHER THE WHOLE WAY THERE?”

We all eventually settled down and when we got there, the excitement over the fact that it was the baby’s first time there took over. As far as he knows, it’s the greatest place on Earth. And really, I’m not inclined to disagree. Summer really isn’t summer if it doesn’t include a trip to Kennywood.

The baby is obviously still pretty little, so our four-hour trip was from a small person’s perspective. We didn’t ride the Thunderbolt or the Phantom’s Revenge, etc. But we did take him on the Pirate Ship, which I think he found both thrilling and terrifying. I looked at him when the ride hit top speed and thought, “Man, it would really suck to find out right now that he barfs on thrill rides.” But he held it together, even if he wasn’t clamoring to ride again.

We did get to take him on the Jack Rabbit a few times, because everyone should experience the feeling of “Oh my god, I could actually die while on this rickety, wooden thing from 1921.”

It’s too bad it was such a short visit, but I found that some fries, some ice cream, and screaming my lungs out helped me get over my crappy day. And seeing the baby experience such an integral part of childhood was just…awesome.

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10 Responses to “potato patch fries cure all”

  1. Karen D. Says:

    Honestly, there is nothing like a trip to Kennywood when you are stressed. When I was at CCAC, college day always fell the Sunday before finals. I would go, ride all day and scream my lungs out, then go and ace my finals.

  2. kdiddy Says:

    I agree wholeheartedly.

  3. frank Says:

    whoa. he really looks like you in that photo. it’s kind of uncanny because up until this point i’ve seen much more tom in him.

  4. kdiddy Says:

    I know! I was just thinking the same thing. I’m not sure what it is…maybe the angle of the head and the slight smirk.

  5. Ellen Says:

    I have never commented here before but had to today. My grandparents lived in McKeesport and we went to Kennywood every summer when I was a kid. Ah, the memories! Funny but true: Three of my friends have responded to my stories of these summers by asking when Kenny Rogers opened a theme park.

  6. kdiddy Says:

    ha! KennyRogersWood

  7. jive turkey Says:

    Kennywood will definitely cure what ails you. If a ride on the Turtles doesn’t put a smile on your face, nothing will. LOVE the Turtles. Instant happy.

  8. kdiddy Says:

    seriously. I was also feeling very healed by the parachutes.

  9. Jolene Says:

    This just gave me a painful pang for Kennywood. I just wish there was some way around the lines. I wish I could reserve a non-crowded night or something.

  10. kdiddy Says:

    if you go after 5 during the week, it’s cheaper and there are hardly any lines.

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