King's Island

Click to View Album

Abbey, Amy and I enjoyed a day at King's Island yesterday. Every year, at the end of the season, Procter and Gamble rent out the park for all of their employees, retirees, and families to enjoy a free day they call "Dividend Day". We're happy to partake, since GE cut morale-boosters like this from the budget in the Jack Welch days, long ago.

Last year was the first time we took Abbey, and this year was even better (Emily enjoyed the morning with Grandma and Grandpa). She's 36 inches tall (by about 3 hairs on her head), so she could ride quite a few more rides this year than last. She had a blast riding the various pint-size rides, culminating in a ride on the Wild Thornberry's River Adventure... basically a log flume for kids. It was the only "Moderately Thrilling Ride" in the park that would allow 36-inchers. (Most of her rides were prominently labeled "Low Thrill Ride", a claim that Abbey would certainly contest).

In the end, Amy didn't ride any real roller coasters, and I only rode one, but it was totally worth it to see Abbey have such a great time. We were sure to collect our bag of P&G goodies (mostly faltering international products or manufacturing overruns/defects... but hey, it's free!) And before you ask, yes, we got home in time to watch the Notre Dame/Michigan and Virginia Tech/Georgia Tech football games.