Can I Still Canobie?

Sometime back in 1993, on North Policy Street, a precocious, tiny version of myself was rocking her favorite summer ensemble: a sweet cotton shirt with a comical octopus facade, and some matching Spandex shorts that featured a sea motif. Carefree, I was bouncing around in the back of Auntie Jo's blue Ford Taurus station wagon, jazzed for the fun that would ensue when we arrived at Canobie Lake Park.

When we did arrive, I bounded out of the car and excitedly waited for my family to get everything together so we could head inside. I remember looking around at all the boxy cars - a true sign of the times. My older cousins, Tristan and Taryn, would follow me as we blew past the turnstile and headed for the Crystal Maze (I, of course, had to lead the group), which was super prominent at the front of the park. The rest of the day was filled with the conquering of plenty of rides, such as the Caterpillar, the Carousel, the Skyride, and everything else that I found to be an adrenaline rush at that point in life (I had the iron stomach of a champion). 

Funnel cakes were consumed, along with a Richardson's watermelon slush, and a fun-filled day at Canobie was had by all (in my opinion). Grateful, I would thank whoever took me (usually Jo and her family), and fall asleep in the car before we could even leave the parking lot.

Time passed and 1993 became 2002. I was a spirited, angsty 14-year-old who craved independence. My friends and I would cajole our parents into catering to our social lives by lining our pockets with cash and carpooling us to and from the park on summer nights - bonus if we could stay there unattended. 

We'd get dropped off at the gate, pay full price without thinking twice, and then saunter in to meet up with our friends. The Crystal Maze was again, always first, because of its prominence, and because we could be ridiculous inside. For the remainder of our evening, we'd meander about, picking and choosing our rides, and gossip about "who liked who?" (even better if your crush was part of the group for the night). 

A long line never mattered, along with the summer heat, because we were too self-absorbed and busy pondering the next step of the night, ignorant to those around us. We'd judge those around us, giggle loudly, and basically be as obnoxious as possible, without realizing it at the time. 

We could do the "lame" things, like the antique cars and carousel, but it was the adrenaline rush that we were after, such as the Corkscrew, the Turkish Twist, and the Matterhorn, which I believe was still in existence at that time (I still had the iron stomach). The Psychodrome was prime, because it was not only thrill-inducing, but the lights went out, and if you were riding it with the boy you liked, you would always slide into him. Swoon.

Let's fast forward to this past summer. It was the dead of July and the heat was awful. I had a car full of teenagers (my 14-year-old brother Spencer and company) who decided it was a good idea to listen to Ke$ha "sing-talk" on KISS108, which I did NOT agree with. Yes, that's right, I was the poor sap who got talked into carting the crew to Canobie (and the best part is, my mom was still paying for me to go...she was just bribing me this time, not the other way around). 

Regardless, I fought my way through traffic towards the front of the park, where I managed to win a crooked parking space. As I was celebrating my mini-victory and gathering my purse and necessary accoutrements (hello, coupons!!), I noticed my car had emptied and the crew was heading towards the gate.  Thanks for leaving me behind, lovebugs. And oh hey, PS: you're welcome for the ride.

The kids slowed down when they realized that I, of course, was funding this excursion. They waited impatiently as I scurried to catch up with them.  I was simultaneously digging to China in my purse looking for my wallet. Proudly presenting my coupons to the cashier, I realized that no matter what, one ticket is still equivalent to a full tank of gas for my car.

The kids had pretty much made their way into the park before I was even done paying. I again scurried to catch up with them (as I did most of the day) and made mention of two things that I wanted to do at some point - 1.) go through the Crystal Maze (which they had no problem with), and 2.) see the Michael Jackson tribute show, as I had met the actors at Margarita's after work with some colleagues. The kids chuckled and called me elderly.

Some notes about the day: The funnel cake stand by the Corkscrew was closed, to which everyone gave the thumbs-down. Also, the lines were so long for certain rides that the kids would just get restless. I did a lot of people-watching and held bags - typical chaperone stuff, and I was thrilled when I ran into former students of mine that work throughout the park. One of them, ADG, told me that it takes one button to make his ride go and that he just pushes it all day long. Sounds fun, no?  I also discovered that one of my good friends from high school is a supervisor for half of the rides in the park. It was awesome just sitting with him, catching up on life, while Spencer and company had their own brand of fun. 

I must admit, the crew was pretty good at maximizing their ride time. They did manage to go on most rides at least twice, if not more. I myself, having not been to Canobie in quite some time, went on the Tilt-A-Whirl, Caterpillar, and Teacups...and I was close to getting sick on each of them (iron stomach, yeah right...). The Psychodrome didn't stand a chance with me (it was one of the few I avoided). Related: Spencer and his friends were discussing the last time they visited, and how the Psychodrome kept their lights on during the ride, which they considered extra lame. They were pleasantly surprised that the lights were off this time, as they said it meant they can now make-out freely with their girlfriends.  Ugh. I shot my brother the stink-eye to shut up. 

Here's the thing - all things aside (the heat, the lines, my rare cynicism, et cetera), it was a pretty magical experience.  I got the familiar adrenaline rush that I had been missing for so long, even though it also brought unwanted nausea. I saw the happiness it brought the crew, and that's all I could ask for. Spencer was shocked at how much money I was willing to spend, as I had always said how over-priced I thought some things were (yes, I refused to spend $5 for sub-par french fries, but you best believe that I spent $4.75 on a small cup of Richardson's watermelon slush). At the end of the day, when we were on our way home, the exhausted bunch showed their gratitude by reliving their day, sharing the best moments with each other. I couldn't help but smile. 

I was recently talking with Tristan, who has since married and has a beautiful son of her own (he's 2). She lives out of state and when she does visit her hometown, she never goes to Canobie. In fact, she hasn't been in years. I was telling her about how great it was, and how I know we both went through the phase where we didn't go at all, because we felt we "outgrew" it. I suggested she take Owen at some point, just because it's like passing it down the line, from one lifer to another. She chuckled at the thought and we moved onto another topic.

Now, I know I consider Canobie to be rather passe at times, and I will drive by it almost daily without glancing at it once. But I have to say...for local thrill seekers, it's a hint of nostalgia, plain old fun, and although it is constantly changing, it is (eventually) always the Canobie we used to know. Sometimes we just need that college kid to push a button to make us remember.