Sidewinder

Posted by Russ Devan (New Hanover, United States) on 29 February 2008 in Sport & Recreation.

This is an image that I found lurking in the deep recesses of my hard drive which I took last summer. I had totally forgotten about it until recently (with over 200 GB of images, it's easy to do). This is a roller coaster in Hershey Park in Hershey, Pennsylvania (yes, that's where they make the chocolate!) that I shot during my company picnic. I didn't get to ride on any of the rides last summer as I had injured my back and could barely walk, let alone ride the rides. So, I did the next best thing. Yes, take pictures. I even remember bringing along the lighter and smaller of my two digital cameras and only one lens so as to put minimal strain on my back while carrying it around.

Three of my four kids are somewhere in this image. If I know my boys, they're probably in the front car (that would be the right side of the image). If memory serves me correctly, this was the second trip through this loop on this part of the ride and they were going around it backwards. My wife and other daughter were on the coaster behind me as I shot this, which launches them vertically to 75 mph (121 km/hr) in 2 seconds. And to think, I went to Hershey Park and all I got was this lousy photograph. Hurumph!

Thanks for stopping by.

"The Master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his education and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence in whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he is always doing both."
- Zen Buddhist Text

Laurie from New Jersey, United States

My kids are big amusement park fans and LOVE Roller coasters...better them than be.

Bad backs are no fun! At least you had the camera to keep you busy.

This is a great shot. I love the sense of motion in the silhouette.

29 Feb 2008 6:42pm

@Laurie: Thanks, Laurie. I was HATING the fact that I couldn't ride the rides that day. I love coasters. Last year, we rode the Great Bear five times in a row (the line was very short and we could hop right back on). There's no floor on that ride and you sit in a seat with a harness that goes over you and your feet just dangle. There's nothing between your feet and the ground below. There are plenty of loops, corkscrews, and barrel rolls on that ride. It's the smoothest coaster there is! Very, very cool.

Angry Buddha from Phoenixville, United States

I love the silhouette and the sky.

3 Mar 2008 9:30pm

Nikon D70
1/8 second
F/22.0
18 mm

sunset
dusk
roller
coaster