Story Submitted by Darrah

Scary Rollercoaster

Never say never right? That is except when you’re hanging upside down, hundreds of feet in the air, buckled into a giant metal death trap. Look, don’t get me wrong, I love roller coasters. The wind whipping through your hair and the rush of screaming your face off while you fly around the track – it’s the best. Again – unless you’re upside down. I can’t do it. Nope. No thank you. That was until my 11th birthday party. We’d had a blast at my sleepover the night before and headed to Busch Gardens the next day. My friend Ollie convinced me to go on Cheetah Hunt. Now if you all aren’t familiar with this ride, let me tell you. It’s literally the longest roller coaster at the park and spins you upside down about a million times while you’re suspended over a rocky gorge. Yep, that’s right, a rocky gorge. I couldn’t believe I’d let her talk me into this. I freaked out the entire time in line. Panicking with every step we took closer and closer to the ride. Every couple minutes, I almost chickened out. Finally we were there, it was the moment of truth. Somehow I found myself buckled into my seat and before I change my mind one more time we were off! I screamed the ENTIRE time. I was in a constant fight with myself to keep my eyes open are shut them in terror. Every time we went upside down, Ollie was terrified I was going to pass out. I mean I was terrified of the very same thing! But somehow I made it. After what seemed like an eternity, but was really only 57 seconds, we were back and the ride attendant was letting us out. I was dizzy and out of it, but somewhere deep inside I was proud too. I had conquered my fear, and lived to tell about it!