by Joseph Malek

Created on: April 07, 2009

The rollercoaster immediately comes to mind when thinking about the most enjoyable rides that I have been on. As a matter of fact, new and even better rollercoaster rides are being built and put into operation at some of the existing theme parks that mostly have taken the place of what I once knew as an amusement park. Then again, some amusement parks have adapted with the times and now promote a particular theme to highlight all of their attractions.

Be that as it may, I remember riding on the greyhound rollercoaster and I still can feel the thrill of the many such rides, each of which I most certainly enjoyed, even when I was familiar with the entire ride from start to finish.

The same is true for the silver streak rollercoaster and all of the twists, turns, rises and drops along the way. Then there was also the wild mouse rollercoaster. Same kind of ride but it was just a mini version of the first two roller coasters that I mentioned. Then again, the car was shaped in a figure of a mouse that had room for two people who sat inside of it. It was built to accommodate kids, and that is was what I was those many years ago.

Speaking of roller coasters, "The Bobs" was one of the mightiest that was ever built. As the years passed, more than seven people died after they flew out of the car that they were riding on. This killer beast surely wasn't for the likes of a kid. It is also true that many who did survive the ride were most certainly sick.

I saw many hearty and healthy people become green in the face while heaving the contents of their stomachs all over the place. Near that ride pocket money seemed to rain down from Heaven. That coin money did fly out of the pockets of some of those who were taking the ride of their life, along with a wallet or two. Me, I had a whole lot of fun just watching it go like a bat out of Hell.

Then again, some people were killed on a parachute ride whose name I can't remember. People sat on a bench and a strap was fastened to hold them in place. Then up they went, about 200 feet into the air. When they reached the top of the tower they were released and a parachute opened to allow them to safely reach the bottom of that tower. From where I lived within the City of Chicago, I could see that ride in constant operation each and every day. Seeing it up close was an entirely different matter and God Himself couldn't make me take a ride on that thing. I was young but I wasn't stupid.

The Riverview Amusement Park closed in 1970 and is now a just another memory of my past. While it was there within Chicago, Illinois and in full operation, I never had a better time within any amusement park and I suppose that I never will.

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