Health & Fitness
Our Trip to Belmont Park in Mission Beach
Childhood memories surface when the Misplaced Midwesterner travels to Belmont Park for the first time. She experiences the amusements of the park and takes in the beach-front neighborhood.
I may have grown up in Ohio, but I am lucky enough to say that I was of a select group of Ohians that grew up on America's Roller Coast. Less than an hour's drive from me was Cedar Point, which currently holds several roller-coaster related world's records. It took me quite sometime to warm up to the speedy beasts, but I love roller coasters. I usually get quite scared, but I love the adrenaline rush. Growing up so close to Cedar Point made me a bit of a roller coaster snob, give me a good, wooden coaster any day. The history with wooden coasters is deep and the ride is always different.
That's why my husband and I were so excited to travel to Belmont Park.
We both love roller coasters and wooden ones are our favorites. After speaking with some coworkers, several people told us not to go to the park, not because of the small selection of amusements, but because the coaster was wooden. They were unfamiliar with the wooden ride and these statements made me more excited to go.
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Belmont Park was tiny and sort of reminded me of the pier amusements that are out in New Jersey, despite never actually seeing those in person. I loved the atmosphere. We had a unlimited ride coupon but after seeing the selection of rides, we opted to just spend the $12 for two roller coaster tickets instead. This pay-as-you-ride system proved fruitful because the line was minimal and we boarded quickly.
The coaster didn't take too long but I loved the jostle of the track. I loved being shoved back and forth. The ride was bumpy and the click of the car on the track brought back so many great memories. How did I know the coaster was awesome? I left the car with a minor headache. That's how you know your wooden coaster is great.
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After our ride, we walked around the neighborhood; I could people watch for hours. We walked up against the beach and watched families play, children dig in the sand, women dance to their sound systems and others try to conquer the grill. Instead of dining at one of the beach-front restaurants, we opted to bring a picnic dinner. We feasted on sandwiches and were soon surrounded by seagulls.
The evening was a great way to get out of the house and it was so interesting experiencing another beach. We've walked around OB and PB and I find it so fascinating how their can be three distinctly different neighborhoods up against the same ocean. (I think OB is my fave.)
