The DU Lounge

I've nobody to go with - DH won't, the kids think they're too old and the grands aren't interested. I used to like big roller coasters and double ferris wheels.

I don't know any of the ride names, though. When I was a kid and we all went to the fair, we usually were restricted to the Tilt-a-Whirl (I can remember that one) and similar. But there was one ride and I wish I could remember the name of it. I'm not sure why I was allowed and I'm not sure why my youngest sister volunteered to go with me.

It consisted of two capsules, each at the end of a long stick. It started horizontal, as I remember, and eventually went vertical or almost vertical. There was no safety equipment in those days, just an open hole for entry on each side, each closed with a single bar meant to keep us inside. No seat belts, no padding. We were just told to keep all body parts inside.

It started up and my little sister panicked. Somehow, she became convinced that the only safe place to be was on top of my head. She's clawing her way up me, I'm getting pushed against this 2" metal pipe with nothing else between me, air, and a long way down, and I'm trying to fight her off without pushing her out her side. The ride operator was magnificently unaware of anything wrong and didn't even slow it down. Obviously, we lived, but I've never gone on a ride with her since.

She did the same thing once when a June bug got into the car. I think she's part cat.

Does this ride sound familiar to anybody who's old enough? I haven't seen it on a midway in 40, 50 years.