Sunday, July 11, 2010

a visit to Storyland

While Rachel, John and Naomi were here, we decided to take a day and make a visit to Storyland. Now, anyone who has grown up in this area probably knows Storyland and has made at least one visit there. I know we did... my parents took us there several times when my sisters and I were little. Then, when Kas and Sadie were small, we took them , and now on this day (which was last Wednesday).. we took yet another generation to Storyland with Naomi and Abby.

This is a sweet little park. It is over 50 years old and they have kept it in great shape. Adding new rides over the years, and keeping the older ones in perfect condition. Some of it has changed, but I was happy to see that much of it was (is) still the same. The whole park is based on childhood stories... and the first greetings you get are in the "Crooked Man's house"......



Our next stop was at the picture frame. Somewhere in all my packed away things, I have a photo of me and my sisters in the picture frame.. and another of a very small Kas and Sadie in the frame. Now we have this up dated version.. Sadie and Tom, baby Abby, Kas and Nate. (I even got one with Ed and I, but already I have too many photos in this post)....




The little cars are still here. Now they run on a quiet electric engine, and you no longer do the steering (it runs on a track).. but we still had fun "driving them". Naomi thought she was quite the gal, being able to drive her very own car!!!



Course, for me.. the favorite is the beautiful carousel!! This is a German made carousel, and the horses are wonderful, All of them are hand carved and each one is different. The other great features about this one, is each horse rocks back and forth, so there is a "double movement" when you are riding (they do not go up and down). And, maybe you noticed, this one goes in a clockwise direction.. most carousels go counter clockwise. Every year, Storyland restores 12 horses, and that way they keep them all up to date.


Naomi certainly enjoyed riding her pink horse. I actually rode twice (and could have gone a dozen times more!!!!)








But the biggest smile was on Abby's face. She had a grand time on her horse and laughed the whole time!!! I was amazed that she seemed to know how to hold on (Sadie was right there beside her) and she just had a great time. It was actually hard to get her to leave!!!!!





We did all the rides, visited Cinderella's castle, ate all the "junk food" and certainly had a day of special memories....



















Abby "dressed up as Alice in Wonderland".....






This has to be one of the oldest rides!!! It's now called the "Tiger turnabout".. but when I was little... this was "Little black Sambo's ride". Course in this day and age, that is no longer politically correct. So, they have changed it up a little bit, but I was pleased to see that they didn't just throw it out. And maybe it isn't as exciting as the new "log flume".. but it has it's own special place, and is a great little ride for the smaller kids!!!




As a kid, Kas thought the "Three bears house" was the best. So, she was happy to see that it was still there, and as cute as it always was....


















Sadly, she doesn't fit in it like she used to... but she still paid a visit to it just the same.





The day was very hot - in the 90's - but we spent the whole day there, not missing out on one thing. I am very sure that in the summers to come, we will pay many more visits...







and it was very tired children that we brought home!!!!