Two of my Grand Musketeers started back to school this morning and I’m still getting used to the idea of school starting before Labor Day. It’s sad to think of kids loaded down with backpacks and lunch packs when there’s still so much summer left to squeeze out. Despite Labor Day Weekend being simply another holiday, not the great gateway between summer vacation and the school year, the Grands and all the other students have an exciting new year ahead. As much as things change, some things remain the same.

This spring I was reminded of that as Hubby and I made a quick stop at Cedar Point, Lake Erie’s premier amusement park. I know one of the coasters had issues recently, but the park still holds a place in my heart.

Growing up, the annual two-hour ride to Sandusky was the first of many rides for the day. Our parents seemed to enjoy the day as much as my sisters and I did, even with the eventual afternoon pop-up thunderstorm that sent us huddling under any awning until it passed. A day at Cedar Point was the highlight of our summer vacation. We’d arrive as the gates opened and stay until all the rides sparkled with brightly-colored lights against the dark, starry night. It seemed magical.

Hubby knows this and puts up with my exuberance even though he doesn’t have quite the same nostalgic affection for the place. On this day in May, we did arrive as the gates opened, but not before having to deal with the new way of purchasing tickets–through our phones. We’d started the process the day before while sitting in a Michigan parking lot, planning to get passes for the next day. One would think that wouldn’t be a problem. It was. Because we were in Michigan, and our phones knew this, we could only access a special package for Michigan residents. Which of course, we aren’t.

Hubby scrolled, hit drop-down prompts, etc. but there was no place for a senior one-day pass. When he called about purchasing tickets at the gate, the price jumped drastically. The difference was crazy. So back to the phones. Hubby had his phone and credit card; I had my phone hoping someone in ticket sales could walk two ‘old’ people through this new-fangled technology. This was through chat so there was a few second time-delay which added to the fun. Our helper was really sweet, and she coached us through the prompts, (where we’d already been) until she said, ‘Now on the screen you should see …’ And Hubby said, ‘that’s not what’s on my screen.’

We told her about the Michigan special we were seeing, because our phones knew we were in the Great Lakes State, not the Buckeye State. ‘I guess Michigan is doing its own deal for its residents! We don’t show that on our screens. It’s actually a pretty good deal. I’d go ahead and purchase those tickets, they’re cheaper than what you’d pay for a senior ticket.’

‘There isn’t any kind of proof of residency?’

‘Not on our end!’

So, we purchased our Michigan Resident Special, and had the address of an Ann Arbor relative handy just in case.

We started the day at Derby Downs, a sort of merry-go-round on high speed. For me a trip to Cedar Point isn’t complete without a ride on the Blue Streak. I like most coasters but there’s something different about this old wooden one that creaks and groans. Hubby’s not fond of coasters but he powered through its 1.5minute ride.

The summer before I started college, I worked at the Point. It wasn’t quite as magical as I scrubbed bathtubs and did laundry in the Hotel Breakers, but it was still special. The Breakers lobby and rotunda retain that turn of the century elegance, even with its modern upgrades.

Most food vendors weren’t open, (their pool of high school employees still in school), so no Mama Berardi’s French Fries or waffle florets dusted with powdered sugar. We ended the day on the Giant Wheel, a Ferris Wheel topping out at 145 ft. Because of travel schedules, we left before the lights came on. The one difference I’d redo. The emotions of the day were different … yet the same. I’m ready to take the Grands for their first CP adventure.

The last time I’d been to Cedar Point was taking Dad for one of his last times. It wasn’t crowded, but then we weren’t riding many rides anyway. We watched a show and enjoyed a beer in the Red Garter Saloon, rode the C.P.&L.E. train. Mostly we reminisced about not only our family vacations, but also ones he’d taken with his family; about all the different rides and attractions that had come and gone over the years–Jungle Larry’s Safari, the double Ferris wheel, the wax museum … As I pushed his wheelchair, he told me about taking his mom for her final visit, pushing her wheelchair. Of course, we got caught in one of Lake Erie’s downpours. We huddled and laughed under a sunshade. I don’t know which of my kids will be my wheelchair escort when the time comes but there will be plenty of memories to share.

As I see all the First Day of School photos pop up on my phone and Facebook, I wish everyone – students, teachers and parents – a safe school year, and to relax and enjoy the ride.

I hope you have a wonderful week. I’ll be back next week with Book Review Monday!