Silverwood

Summertime in Spokane means the annual trip to Silverwood. Silverwood is the resident theme park in the greater inland northwest, located in Athol, Idaho. It is home to roller coasters with ominous names like "Tremors", "Timbers of Terror", and "AfterShock". I have several adrenalin junkies in my family who expected to wait in long lines for every ride attraction. The kids took part in the summer reading program at school that rewards them with free passes into the park after 10 hours of reading. WELL worth the hours of reading!! This was our third year going to the park, with the promise of many more hours of reading in the future!! And with Jessica going into kindergarten this year, she'll be able to earn her own ticket for next summer. Whoo-Hoo!!

The anticipation to ride these engineering feats was intense. I just wasn't up for it, nor was Dad--so they were on their own for the thrill of the experience. We chalked it up to arriving at the age of saturation--we still remembered the stomach-lurching experiences of last years' Silverwood adventures and weren't eager to repeat. The thought of losing a $50 lunch of lousy theme park food did not sound appetizing or appealing for some reason.

We shuffled the kids to the train depot to take the half hour ride around the park. The kids were whining about how much time they were losing on the roller coasters...and Boulder Beach. But it was tranquil and peaceful until we were held up by a two-man posse demanding silver. Who da' thunk that there would still be train robberies going on. The robbery somewhat salvaged the whole train ride experience in the kids' eyes. Jessica and Ashley had no problem posing for a picture after parting with some loose change--being that it was for a local charity.

But then it was off to Boulder Beach for water slides, the wave pool and some "quiet" deck time for Mom. Dad was a super champ to go wait at the bottom of the slides with the camera in hand for the water pictures. Many memories and thrills were made coming down those slides this afternoon. The thumbs up from Cameron says it all!

Many of the rides have height restrictions and that got a little ugly when all our kids except for the shortest cutie were able to go. Flying elephants soothed the bruised ego for awhile. Needless to say, she had cotton candy, nachos, more candy, an ice-cream cone and promises of toys and future roller coasters for the remainder of the evening--while the big kids took advantage of the adrenalin bursts. Jessica did get to ride the wood roller coaster and I guess it was quite an experience for Dad. Let's just say, not one he wants to repeat. (She decided she wanted off after the first hill and let everyone know that she was NOT happy to be there for the remainder of it).

Cameron loved the Panic Plunge. Somebody told him that you get a bigger rush from the experience if you take your shoes and socks off. So he did. Nothing like being lifted 300 feet in the air and then dropped at 70 mph....or so they say. (His hair was sticking up prior to the experience, too).

Braden said that his favorite part of the day was the boats. For a mere $5 a child (you do the math on how much extra that cost us...) the boys rode the boats that shot water into the audience as counter-shooters aimed and shot rubber balls at the boats--for an additional $5. Quite the bargain for the amount of pleasure it brought my three gaming boys. They put their tactical X-Box skills to work and totally soaked their sisters. Mom was the one ducking for cover after the first ambush.

All in all--it was a great day with plans to go again next year. The caramel apples were divine and the kettle corn nostalgic. And as another great family outing, it was a gentle reminder that they will only be children for so long--and before you know it, they will be thinking twice about those adrenalin bursts that modern engineering afford too. But until then...love live roller coasters!!