[CaptHook1117]

Pride and Triumph: Climbing the Mountain... by Brian Payne

I have always had sketchy recollection of my childhood, but I will never forget the day I conquered the brute mountain. I was just at that age where I was able to take on the world, just as long as the world didn’t fight back. It took some time for me to finally reach the height requirements, but it was well worth the wait. I was David and it was Goliath. From the queue area, you could barely see the comets shooting above your head. It was standing tall, a massive pile of well-constructed steel in perfect form. If you had a problem with heights, darkness, or speed, then it was time to turn around and head for Fantasyland. For this was no fantasy. It stood 300 feet wide and 180 feet tall. It was a nail-biting, jaw-dropping sight, and coincidentally my first childhood nightmare. It was...Space Mountain.

Upon the arrival of the Magic Kingdom, I could already feel the anxiety, knowing that this is the year I have to achieve this. I had known I had a purpose in life, and for the time being, it was to ride that coaster. Besides, if I chickened out one more time, then I will have a twelve-hour car ride of mockery with relentless teasing from my older brother. I couldn’t deal with that.

As my brother and I got closer to the end of the line, the more and more I wanted to go back to the Tea Cups. Alas, I was at my final destination and there was no turning back. I knew my brother would kill me if I left him alone after an hour wait. We sat down in the vehicle seat, or as I called it: “the cage of doom”. The ride attendants had an idea this was my first coaster when I told them to turn if off if I start waiving my hands. I pulled the lap bar down like there was no tomorrow, and we were off.

Just as the coaster made its first turn, we were already up the hill. I had absolutely no prep time. My breathing got heavy, my stomach was turning, and I’m pretty sure my eyes were generating tears. I can still hear the hard clanking of the coaster, as it made its way up the fiery tunnel. The further up the hill we ascended the harder and slower those clanks sounded. We reached the top of the hill and I will never forget the feeling of charge I gained at that point. I climbed that mountain. I graduated from kiddy rides. I defeated my purpose. That was my first coaster.

[Dana]

Great little story. Thanks for sharing it.