It was my first trip to Silverwood Theme Park in Athol, Idaho, and I was melting in the 89-degree heat. “I need ice cream,” I informed my husband.
“Order a kid’s size,” he advised, “the portions are huge.”
He wasn’t kidding.
“Do you want two scoops or five?” the guy at the concessions stand asked. I pointed at the smallest option and handed over my cash.
One cup of Moose Tracks later, I felt better, especially when I collapsed on a shady piece of grass in Coaster Alley. Bluegrass music played in the background. My husband and daughter dropped down next to me. We were surrounded by lush landscaping, and the petunias made the air smell sweet.
“Where’s our teenager?” I asked.
“Riding Aftershock by himself.” My husband shuddered. “Once was enough for me.”
“It was Tremors that did me in,” I admitted.
“I wasn’t scared on Corkscrew at all,” said my daughter. “Do you think I’ll be tall enough to ride Aftershock next year?”
“Maybe.” I kicked off my sandals and stared up at the blue sky.
Silverwood Theme Park is close to Coeur d’Alene. It felt full but not overcrowded with people. There were families, thrill seekers and the most safety conscious roller-coaster operators I’d ever seen — but no busloads of tourists like at the Californian amusement parks of my childhood. At Silverwood, lines were short and the opportunity for adventure was huge.
We had spent the previous day at Boulder Beach, the water slide part of the property, where we had enjoyed rapids, wave pools and the lazy river. Then we spent the night in our tent trailer at Silverwood RV Park across the highway.
A wet day and a dry day, that was the way to do it, but still, I was exhausted. Today my FitBit already registered 18,400 steps.
“It’s weird to lay down in grass in a public space and not worry there might be hypodermic needles,” I remarked.
“Yeah,” my husband agreed. “We’re a long way from Seattle. I do wish they’d add some recycling bins, though, especially at the RV park.”
“That would be a nice improvement,” I agreed, “especially since they’re attracting guests from Western Washington.”
The grass felt cool and accommodating. A three-minute power nap later, and we all felt better. “Let’s go ride the steam train,” I said, propping myself up on my elbows. “Then we can watch the magic show again.”
“Yes!” My daughter jumped to her feet. “That would be perfect!”
I strapped on my sandals and stood up, too. “Did you know,” I said as we strolled out of Coaster Alley, “that when I was a teenager I once went to Six Flags Magic Mountain and only rode four rides all day because it was so crowded? I spent two and a half hours in line to ride Viper.”
“That sounds awful,” my daughter said.
“It was,” I nodded, “but I didn’t realize it at the time. That’s what California’s like.”
“Not like the Idaho,” added my husband.
“No. And thank goodness for that.”
Jennifer Bardsley is author of the books “Genesis Girl” and “Damaged Goods.” Find her online on Instagram @the_ya_gal, on Twitter @jennbardsley or on Facebook as The YA Gal.
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