Kennywood West Mifflin PA

Earlier this year I had a chance to relive a bit of my youth while taking my children to enjoy the rides at Kennywood.

I'd visited Kennywood a few times as a teenager and enjoyed the thrill of the original Steel Phantom and the heart-stopping adrenaline rush of the since-removed Pitt Fall.

As I waited in line for The Phantoms Revenge I had that same anxious feeling of excitement I had so many years ago when I stood in line on the same platform waiting to board its predecessor. The only difference this time was my age was more than double what it was back then and my weight had long since multiplied as well.

Upon boarding the ride I found that even with my larger size the restraints were snug and comfortable despite the sudden feeling of "What am I doing?" when the train lurched forward to begin its climb. In my youth, a roller coaster was an exciting idea flying around at 80+MPH on a couple of small ribbons of steel was dangerous and awe-inspiring. At my current age the awe-inspiring feeling I had while standing in line while reminiscent of my youth was quickly replaced with my own voice in my head saying "it'll only last two minutes you can do this" and then dismissed altogether as we topped the hill and my life flashed before my eyes in what I had in a moments notice come to consider my last few seconds on Earth.

I laughed, I cried, I laughed again as I caught a view of my wife who had somehow managed to push herself down in the seat and had assumed a posture one could only describe as that of praying to a higher power for a merciful death. The ride only lasted a couple minutes but they were minutes that reminded me of both why I shouldn't ride roller coasters anymore and why I had to go again.

We spent the rest of the day acting like kids and throwing ourselves on each ride as we made our way through the entire park with my own teenage children in tow. I'm looking forward to our next trip back to Kennywood in the coming year and plan to once again enjoy all the park has to offer despite the sheer terror it instills in someone who understands speed, g-force, and the tendencies of machines to break down.