The way-back machine is set for a nice summer day in Clark Park. Yes, put your winter coats away and slip into a pair of shorts because we’re off to the fair for face painting, cotton candy, and amusement rides. Remember the fun you had when you were a kid riding the whip? Let’s relive those moments as we watch the young having a wonderful time on that fine summer day — way back in 1971.
These kids in the foreground look to be nonchalant,
but pay attention to the girl in the next car. Ready?
Can you hear her screaming?
She’s either scared to death or having the time of her life.
There’s no in between here.
These two should be poster children for laid back enjoyment.
We’re getting ready to start and ready for some real fun.
Whoops! Quick, hide me — I’m scared now!
Hey, this isn’t so scary. Yay! We’re having fun now! And the girl who was partially hidden in the last two photos is out in front with a having fun smile glued to her face. This photo is my favorite of the group.
And this is but a taste of the photos I took that day. If I remember correctly, I shot two or three rolls of film.
Stop by James’ Weekend Reflections to see what he has up his sleeve and to visit with other friends and their creative reflections.
P.S. — Kids never change, and as Colleen says “Apparently, the joys of childhood have not changed much in the last…ahem… 30+ years.” Check out Colleen’s daughter and her cousins riding the whip in living color on Colleen’s blog.
Thank you Colleen (blush). Now I want a ride too. I remember the time my daughters and I terrified my wife on the tilt a whirl…
Those are just wonderful. I love these. And all in Black and White make them extra special 🙂
The way back machine is pretty cool. Thanks for sharing. I have a recent picture of my daughter and her cousins on a similar ride. The faces are priceless!
This like going back in time, I remember how fun it was riding the carousels 🙂
Almost forty years back…Where did all those smiles go?do those children remember this day? You caught so well the feelings, the fears, the laughs, the moment.. This serie is quite beautyful , full of charm and nostalgy!
You have captured a range of emotions in these shots! A fun series of photos…so enjoyable to view…
What an excellent series. I love that it’s in b&wh.
I would much rather be there right now than here. 🙂
It’s strange to think that some of the children in the pictures are now my age or older. The action, fun and the expressions on their faces are timeless. Great photos!
Such a fun memories. How wonderful!
Happy weekend.
Love the hiding face!
Such wonderful nostalgia pics! Terrific captures!
I so remember riding the big whip – not in this day though. 🙂
Very neat photos! You captured wonderful expressions of joy! I like the toothy gal and the little girl with her mouse wide open! These pjotos are pure joy!
…Dressed up Creek
These are beautiful!
Great shot! My favorite is the girl screaming!
A very beautiful series of photos in black and white. The kids’ expressions are priceless!
Those faces are so aglow with clear expression! Enjoyed the whole series but especially loved the “open mouth”!
What a lovely series! I love how clear their expressions are.
These are all great expressions, but the second is my favorite, I think she really enjoyed that ride!
Would you mind terribly if I posted a photographic response to this post? I just took a look at my series of photos taken of a group of kids riding the whip at Kings Island this past summer and thought it would be fun to post them along with a link to your post. What do you think?
Mind? I’d be honored Colleen. I think cross links would be fun too.
Good, ’cause I was so inspired, I already typed up the post. I was just waiting to hear back from you. Here’s the link: http://sanderasisproper.blogspot.com/2010/01/photographic-response-to-riding-whip.html
Thanks! It was a fun post to write up.
Thank you Colleen. I hope you don’t mind. I edited my post and put a link in to your great color shots of kids on the whip.
Thanks for the head’s up on the spam John! I got rid of it.
My pleasure James. Spammers are public enemy no. 1. Stomp ’em when you find ’em. I think of them as cockroaches — CRUNCH!!!
I love all the expressions on the kid’s faces, they are obviously having a great time. The open mouth scream is priceless. I remember that ride well, it probably got a scream or two out of me.
Awh, wonderful post – love the captions and pcitures, really nicely compiled!!!
Gena
What a cool ride! The way-back machine is so much fun.
Thanks for visiting !
Wowowow, these are so fantastic, bliss perfectly caught!
I’ve just noticed your wonderful reflection in your header too!
Thanks. The header photo is a good one. It comes with the theme — I’m not the photographer for that one.
Now I want to go to an amusement park!
A very different kind of reflection, but I love it. Thank you.
Happy weekend!
Oh, John, look at the happy faces, the smiles and I could hear the screams of excitement!
Great motion photography too!
They’re all WONDERFUL photos … remind me of my childhood … make me want to dig out old photos to scan and share on my blogs one day. My sister just went through all of her 35mm slides and took them to be copied onto DVDs. I’m eager to see the quality and may do something similar soon myself. Thanks for your visit to my Tamale Reflections at Sacred Ruminations … what’s amazing about making tamales is that there really isn’t a lot of clean up afterward and it goes quickly. Methinks my sister does the real work before I arrive 😉
Methinks that my favorite today is the third … those kids exude the calm, ‘in the moment’ pleasure of childhood don’t they.
Hugs and blessings,
These are wonderful! They really do express pure joy and such a sense of uninhibited fun! Love the black and white, perfect for these. And the shot of the little girl with mouth wide open is great. What a fun post.
Wonderful pictures! Always nice to watch happy children :o)
You really nailed these, capturing all the excitement and motion. I can almost hear it.
These are priceless, really! I absolutely love the one with the girl screaming. Thank you for such a thoughtful reflection.
Great set of photos, use to be my favorite ride.
Love these! You really caught some beautiful, spontaneous portraits!
These are great! The whip was one of the few rides I wasn’t terrified of as a kid. These shots remind me of myself when I was that age. 🙂
Merry Christmas! I hope it filled with joy and love!
Thank you for your visits – I always enjoy reading you comments!
These were one of my favorites posts of 2010 – great photos!
Quiltworks