Jr's first "Big" coaster

Our found-and-a-half-year-old made 40" last year, which allowed him access to Big Thunder and Space Mountain, which was a big step. We took a bigger step yesterday at Knott's with a trip on his first "big" coaster, the Sierra Sidewinder at Knott's.

It was also our first time on it. We got there at opening (after a breakfast of fried chicken and eggs) and pretty much walked on. And our very trusting son just walked right on up the line with us without a second thought.

Wow, what a zippy twirly coaster! My son had quite an amusing look of "uh, woah? Is this supposed to be happening?" on his face the whole time. Unfortunately, the on ride video kiosk was closed that day.

After the ride, he seemed stunned. We asked him if he was OK. He replied with "Yah.....". "Were you a 'little' scared? "Yah..." "That's OK, you're 'supposed' to be a little scared on roller coasters." "Yah..." ;)

By the way, I'm still irked about taking my glasses off for the coasters at Knott's (but understood after a VERY rough ride on Ghostrider later in the day). Also, a couple of bored ride ops were running rides in Camp Snoopy that shoudn't have been running rides in Camp Snoopy. My son was stuck in the up position after a ride on the Red Baron. The operator was mumbling something in the mic about the stick. I couldn't understand him let alone a 4-year-old who didn't even realize that someone was talking to him. He finally came around and in a very irritated manner repeated something about the stick. I still couldn't understand him and he acted as if it were my son's fault.

Come on. These are little kids. Have some patience. He should have walked around and coached him individually (not that the ride should even allow this to happen). Instead he was irked and used a "what's wrong with you?!" tone of voice. Not nice.

As an ex ride op, I would have been more patient, as it would have made my own life easier at the very least. And this was at opening, so it's not like the drudgery had set in yet.

OK, I shouldn't rant so much. Aside from that, we had a wonderful time at Knott's even though Mom and Dad rode only half the rides ridden. We even rode the Stagecoach, which I hadn't since the 70's. Also, I coached him to stick his hands up when the train was robbed. It was classic. And when they asked him for money, he said it was in his piggy bank.

Man, this will all be ancient history some day.

Found and a half? :-P
Congrats to the little guy. Our 5 month old is a mere 2'4". Still a long way to go.

Wow, how did "four" turn into "found"? In any case, it will go much quicker than you realize. Seems like yesterday we took him on his very first ride, the Artichoke Dip, at Bonfante (Gilroy) Gardens.

Wow...I remember that time we met for a beer and you had NO KIDS! How times flies.... : )

It most certainly does! I miss living around the corner from Shakespeares.

And did I mention how rough Ghostrider was? I thought I'd cracked a rib at one point.