As many times as we have been to Dollywood, this time we had
a couple of surprises.
We arrived early, around 8:30 or so, and got to park all the
way in B section! We stood at the entrance waiting for the park to open, the
ropes dropped and we moved forward to an area where they were checking bags - a
first time for that.
Then we moved on up to the turnstiles which were not open
yet. Standing there with all the other early folks, with the sun rising over
the top of the Show Street Theater, a lady came out and welcomes everyone to
Dollywood on this beautiful day, and then invites us all to take off our hats
and put our hands over our hearts to join her in the national anthem - another
first, a great way to start the day.
As is the case at places like this - hurry up and wait. We
headed over to check out the latest greatest roller coaster, the Lightning Rod.
Waiting in line for the Lightning Rod we are listening to
all the other folks, how they have been trying to ride this but it is often
shut down for repairs, wow that is encouraging. About this time I am asking myself why
do I let him talk me into these things, what if something happens, oh well it's
been a good life and will make a good story to tell - about how granma flew off
the roller coaster at DW.
Sitting in the roller coaster car, making sure everything
was extra tight, we made the curve out of the loading area and faced the
vertical rise. The car paused for a second like most roller coasters do to
start the slow ascent, but not this one - we were shot out like a cannon up to
the top of the first hill. My heart was in my throat, no wait it was my
breakfast. From then on it was a minute and a half of eyes wide shut and jaw
clinched tight telling myself just breathe it's almost over don't pass out.
All in all it was worse than the Tennessee Tornado or The Eagle
or Thunderhead - or in rollercoasterspeak
I guess you would say it was better
if that's the kind of thing you like - the nausea the lightheadedness the
getting all shook up.
Check that off the list, we had now ridden all the coasters
at DW, then on to the shows where the old folks go to rest.
