The Lagoon Experience

Yesterday we decided to go to Lagoon for the first time in a couple of years. They have a new rollercoaster that I couldn't pass up experiencing in it's first year of existence. I didn't want to be the one guy in Utah who hasn't experienced "Wicked." We decided to go on a Monday to avoid the large crowds that seem to show up on every other day of the week. This wasn't overly convenient with my work schedule. I had a meeting scheduled at 12:00 that was pushed back to 1:00. By the time I got out of there, it was a little after 3:00. Meanwhile, Jenny had taken the boys with her and the rest of my family to swim in the morning at Lagoon-A-Beach. They had a good time, but Jenny got sunburned pretty bad. They came home to eat and I met up with them shortly after they returned to the park.

We spent the first little while getting the kids on the kiddy rides. Boston was a pretty big wuss. I don't know if it was the Disneyworld experience (which he didn't like too much), or the fact that the first ride Jenny took him on was the Terror Ride. Either way, we pretty much couldn't get him to go on any other rides and even had to force him on the train. He was fine by the end of the ride after seeing all the animals. I got to go on Wicked a couple of times before the lines got too long. I must admit that it's a pretty solid ride. Although it's not the caliber of a "Hulk" or "Mr. Freeze", it has it's unique qualities that make it fun. Going up at 90 degrees and coming back down at 90 degrees is pretty intense. The fact that the harnesses do not go over your shoulders also made for a fun experience, especially during the barrel roll.

We had a good time, but I am definitely not as young as I once was. While I used to be able to go all-out all day, the 6 hours I was there just about did me in. It was hot and hectic trying to keep track of all the kids. Boston was exhausted by the time I got there, so he was pretty restless and grumpy the rest of the evening. Jenny was tired and sore from her sunburn. I didn't get anything to eat and wasn't about to appease the price gougers in the park, so I subsisted on water, a few fries and a salty nut roll. By the time the park closed and we headed home, my feet were sore, my head was aching and I was so tired I pretty much just crashed when we got home.

All in all, though, I still like Lagoon. It has its character and a lot of fond memories of my youth. I still live by the adage: "Lagoon is as fun as you make it!"