Southern Musings

Today as I went through my usually daily routine of logging on and seeing what all I can find that I might find interesting enough to actually read, I came across a mention of amusement parks on AOL. I used to really enjoy going to amusement parks. They were a large part of my life growing up. Until I gained so much weight that they were uncomfortable to visit, I would crave going each summer. I actually missed them.

Of course, that set me in search of hidden memories. When I a young child and into my teens, my parents always found a way for us to take a family vacation. If an amusement park was not part of it, then we often would visit an amusement park for a weekend trip at another time during the summer. I always loved those visits. My favorite rides were the tilt-a-whirl and the roller coasters. The spinning just sort of freed all the thoughts of problems and stress. Whatever had been happening went right out of your mind. Roller coasters had a sense of controlled being out of control. The ups and downs, turns, and spins of the rides were a way to make dreams seem possible and pain only a faint memory.

Don’t get me wrong, my childhood wasn’t extreme. My parents and I had more than our share of disagreements and pains. Through it all, I knew that they loved me and they knew that I respected the fact that they were my parents. Our relationship was never the storybook version which I dreamed of having. We had good days and we had bad days. Through it all, we knew we would be there for each other no matter what. In my young mind, so would the amusement parks. There I could forget whatever arguments we have may had over the past year and just feel free to be me.

I was quite lucky in the range of parks that I visited. North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia all had parks that called to me. Six Flags in Georgia was one of the parks that dominated my childhood. I remember spending many days walking the paths, marveling at the beauty that surrounded me. The waiting in line was horrible for a young, impatient girl, but the rides were well worth it. When it was my time to climb into the ride, I could feel the excitement. One of my fondest memories is riding the log flume with my dad. He would always lean down to make sure that you got off the ride as soaking wet as possible.

Tennessee held the key to my heart for years. Opryland combined my love of music and my love of rides. I never visited as much as I would have hoped, but when I did, it was like heaven on earth. I could sit in the audience and hear music that was so close it was like it was actually being played just for me. The intimacy created by such small audience and musicians that were performing for the love of the music melted my heart. I never wanted to leave. The day that Opryland closed, I thought of the song “American Pie” and I truly felt that “this would be the day that I die.” Live through it, I did. My heartache was as real as the pain of a lost love.

The trips continued and one day as a young adult, I saw a tour bus going through the town we were visiting. I enjoyed their music and was thrilled to find out they were playing that day at a local amusement park. I begged, pleaded, cried a thousand tears, and did everything short of threatening my life to get to go. It was expensive. The concert was extra. Did I dare spend the money that I had planned on using for new clothes? You know I did! I plopped down my hard earned money so fast, it made my parent’s head spin. I was going to the show! When I saw the building the concert would be in, I was a little nervous. It was nice looking, but rather small. Would they really try to put on a good show for such a small audience? The music lover in me knew that if they were playing for the love of the music, they would.

The show was great. I had such a great time that I even plopped down money the next day to see yet another group. I had found my own corner of the world again. It had everything I needed. It had an amusement park that truly treasured good music. It had cool mountain streams where my troubles could be simply washed away. I could find peace again. Pigeon Forge and Dollywood were my new escapes. I knew that there, everything could be put in perspective.

We all need our own place that we can feel safe and secure. We all need the opportunity to be free from troubles and just be ourselves. For me, amusement parks were my place growing up. As a teen, the mountains began to take an equal footing. As an adult, I found a place where I can enjoy both. Even though I can not go as often as I wish, when things get tough, I close my eyes and visit my memories. I think it is time to get off my duff and lose some weight. Then I can go back and create new memories with my own children and husband. I would hate to slow the roller coaster down with my heavy weight. Maybe if I start walking, I can kill two birds with one stone. Maybe I could lose weight and find yet another place to escape my worries.

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