January 29, 2010

summer memories

The carnival was in town, and enjoying the freedom and anticipation of being almost-juniors in high school, we were up for the fun. One of us loved all the rides, but the other of half of this best friendship laid down the law... the only round-and-round ride she would go on was the carousel. And I think she only agreed to the carousel because she knew it was my favorite. I'm sure there is a matching photo... and I wonder if she has it...

Our skin was scorched by the summer sun... as usual, we had spend the day at the beach. Catching too many sun rays and trying to cool off in the ocean. It was a process... wading in only ankle deep, and waiting until the numbness to set in before we dared take another step deeper. I'm not sure we ever made it too far past our knees. Many hours into our day, we would begin lathering on the sunscreen, sure that we had not acquired even an ounce of tan, but wanting to be on the safe side. As usual, we were wrong. Well, not entirely wrong. There was no tan, only red. Red, that was painful to the touch. One day we would learn...

Somehow... I talked her into riding the Skydiver. How I convinced her, I'll never really know, but she decided it wouldn't be too bad. Not too round-and-round, more like the Ferris wheel. And upside down? I'm sure we could hold the wheel...
We still laugh about it today. Sunburned skin and seeing the world spinning by with bright carnival bulbs blurred as the car tumbled around and around. There was laughter and screaming... and probably a I'll never forgive you! But she did. Because that is what best friends do.

Come on and join Jo at Mylestones for Flashback Friday!

post signature

16 comments :

Kellye said...

How fun!!!! I pray and pray that my boys will have a friend like this to pull them out of their comfort zone as they laugh hysterically and shout "I'll never forgive you!" because those are the BEST friends in the world!!!!

Jo said...

Perfect! A smile and a nod to those foolish sunburned beach days. :-)

Unknown said...

I loved this post Dawn! What fun. And what a great picture. Friends are the icing on the cake of our lives! : )

Sharone said...

I love this picture of you! I think we all have pictures like that - and friends like that! What a fun memory :)

Rebekah said...

You're right. That is what best friends do.

HisFireFly said...

Oh.. I LOVE thrll rides, not so for my beloved.

When we ended up on the Mummy ride at Universal Studios he also said he would never forgive me. He just wouldn't believe that I didn't KNOW it was an indoor rollercoaster!

Busy Bee Suz said...

What a sweet memory!!!
The fair/carnival holds so many childhood memories for us all!!!
oh...all those sunburns of our childhood, it is a wonder we are not looking like leather!!!
xo
Suz

Anonymous said...

this is awesome! Someday, when we get together, we will have to go on the carnival rides together. We seem to share a passion for them. My husband isn't a fan, so I seldom get to ride! :)

Anonymous said...

Fun memories! Sunburned skin sounds good right about now. ;-)

-FringeGirl

Kelli said...

I remember those days oh so well with fond memories of the sun, fun and subsequent sunburns!!!

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

The carousel is still my favorite ride. :)

Sharon @ Hiking Toward Home said...

Oh my! I remember riding that one with my mom at about age...11? i swore I would never do anything upside down again! but then I met my husband and he convinced me to go on them again... they are much more fun with him!! Thanks for the memories!

Anonymous said...

She sounds like a great best friend.

jenn said...

ah, reminds me of summer days at the county fair!!

Anonymous said...

I can never see a carnival without thinking of that night. I did forgive you as I think there was far more laughing then screaming and it made me take my mind off the sunburn for at least a few minutes. Now that my son is getting old enough to go on the more adventurous rides I feel compelled to join in the fun. And, as I am spinning in circles, far outside my comfort zone, I think of you and sit back and enjoy the fun (laughing and screaming the entire time).

Cassie said...

Your buddy's comment was the capper. Now I'm teary eyed again. I guess it's part of the "benefits"(?) of growing old(er) and looking back on the past. Wistful, nutty, fun days of childhood. A friend who still loves you after pushing her off the bus seat into the aisle for the 20th time....sorry Sue!
Blessings dear Dawn. x-c

Back to Top