An 80 Foot Drop & No Parachute
GREETINGS! That sounds pretty scary in itself, but suppose you have no vehicle to protect your delicate, aging body???? Well, I made it down the very wet, steep slide down the CLIFFHANGER at Schlitterbahn Waterpark on Galveston Island, Texas.
The “ride” looked pretty cool from down below, and the grandkids were all excited and eager to climb the huge spiral to the top. It really didn’t take too long because the line was actually for two different attractions---F-5, a covered one which twisted around & banged up my somewhat younger cousin--- and the even higher one out in the open.
As you’re climbing the spiral, you admire the view of the whole waterpark and you spot the rides, slides & rivers you’ve already conquered. The three pyramids are a mostly educational attraction called Moody Gardens. We’d been a couple of days before. Of course, once you finally reach 80 foot high platform and see the slide...you begin to have seconds thoughts about the wisdom of dropping 80 feet in your bathing suit.
Especially when the platform starts swaying in the wind, you begin to actually read all the cautionary warnings that are posted, realize you can’t wear your water shoes, but that you will have to take them off and hold them as you drop. Then the three kids begin arguing as to whether the youngest is big enough to do this. We measure, she passes. I watch as each one lays down in the water, slips slowly over the edge & disappears at a rate of 30 - 40 mph.
Suddenly it’s my turn and I begin to wonder if I REALLY want to do this...but I reason that it must be safe, thousands have already done it and survived...so I take off my shoes and hope the sunglasses survive...I climb into the top of the slide...I lay back...that much was easy...I watch with apprehension for the signal to go... and with the tinest of forward motion, I’m launched. I’m zooming down, water is spraying up everywhere, I squeeze my eyes shut, then I’m slowing & safely stopping at the bottom. None of my clothing is where it started out, but hey, the employees have probably seen worse. I survived and it was kinda fun. I’m feeling brave. The kids are jumping with joy...ready to run back for another round...can we? Sure! But, I’ll watch this time...
BoogieBahn, the kids favorite part of Schlitterbahn.
PHOTOTIP: When you go to a water park, bring a small, inexpensive camera or video that can stand
up to some water. I took these shots when I was NOT going on the ride. If you have a waterproof camera, you can take pix on a slower ride. Just ask expect to get a little wet.
BLESSINGS!
Psalm 23: 1-2
See more pix
Go the my home page
Facebook connection
email:artisticimagesbypc@me.com
The “ride” looked pretty cool from down below, and the grandkids were all excited and eager to climb the huge spiral to the top. It really didn’t take too long because the line was actually for two different attractions---F-5, a covered one which twisted around & banged up my somewhat younger cousin--- and the even higher one out in the open.
The pyramids of Texas
As you’re climbing the spiral, you admire the view of the whole waterpark and you spot the rides, slides & rivers you’ve already conquered. The three pyramids are a mostly educational attraction called Moody Gardens. We’d been a couple of days before. Of course, once you finally reach 80 foot high platform and see the slide...you begin to have seconds thoughts about the wisdom of dropping 80 feet in your bathing suit.
Check the 80 ft spiral you have to climb
Especially when the platform starts swaying in the wind, you begin to actually read all the cautionary warnings that are posted, realize you can’t wear your water shoes, but that you will have to take them off and hold them as you drop. Then the three kids begin arguing as to whether the youngest is big enough to do this. We measure, she passes. I watch as each one lays down in the water, slips slowly over the edge & disappears at a rate of 30 - 40 mph.
Suddenly it’s my turn and I begin to wonder if I REALLY want to do this...but I reason that it must be safe, thousands have already done it and survived...so I take off my shoes and hope the sunglasses survive...I climb into the top of the slide...I lay back...that much was easy...I watch with apprehension for the signal to go... and with the tinest of forward motion, I’m launched. I’m zooming down, water is spraying up everywhere, I squeeze my eyes shut, then I’m slowing & safely stopping at the bottom. None of my clothing is where it started out, but hey, the employees have probably seen worse. I survived and it was kinda fun. I’m feeling brave. The kids are jumping with joy...ready to run back for another round...can we? Sure! But, I’ll watch this time...
BoogieBahn, the kids favorite part of Schlitterbahn.
PHOTOTIP: When you go to a water park, bring a small, inexpensive camera or video that can stand
up to some water. I took these shots when I was NOT going on the ride. If you have a waterproof camera, you can take pix on a slower ride. Just ask expect to get a little wet.
BLESSINGS!
Psalm 23: 1-2
See more pix
Go the my home page
Facebook connection
email:artisticimagesbypc@me.com
Posted by Pamela at 8/3/2011 6:56 PM 
Categories: America, Personal, FUN
Tags: Texas Galveston Island pyramids MoodyGardens waterpark cliffhanger 80foot drop 30-40mph no parachute banged up
Categories: America, Personal, FUN
Tags: Texas Galveston Island pyramids MoodyGardens waterpark cliffhanger 80foot drop 30-40mph no parachute banged up
You were much braver than me cousin! I know the kids enjoyed it.
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