Deep Fried Ambassador update: Flying high

(This is part 5 of the “Whole Lotta Loony” series chronicling the adventures of your Deep-Fried Ambassador and Deputy Deep-Fried at the North Carolina State Fair.)

swellblog13

I did it!

Finally, after 5,000 visits to the State Fair in the last ten days, I worked up the nerve to ride the 100-foot-tall Vertigo Swing.

With my stomach in my throat.

I know, I know. It’s not exactly a high-intensity thrill ride. And, yes, there were some kids on the ride. Ahem.

BUT, I have a huge fear of heights. Huge.

From the moment I heard about the Vertigo at the press lunch last week, I began talking myself into it. It’s one of the fair’s new rides, and if I remember correctly, the only of its kind in the country.

I pulled the buckle extra tight around my rib cage. And triple-checked the one between my knees. Also assessed the chains and bolts holding my seat onto the ride. They looked sturdy, and I figured, if one gives way, there were still three or four other chains (plus trusty seatbelt) holding me into place.

See? FEAR. OF. HEIGHTS.

I sat beside the nicest fella. A high-school sophomore with aspirations to attend N.C. State. It was his first ride on the Vertigo, too. He wasn’t scared at all.

Y’all, that ride was awesome. I actually kept my eyes open. And didn’t curse once.

About Cotton Candy

Karlie Justus - blogged for the 2008 / 2009 N.C. State Fairs. This is her bio from 2009: When I'm not blogging for the N.C. State Fair, I go by Karlie Justus--but Cotton Candy suits me just fine. My earliest memories of the Fair are of the times my parents would bring my brother and I up from Asheville, N.C. for a double dose of the Fair and a N.C. State football game. Fast-forward two decades later, and I'm a public information officer for the deep fried celebration whose must-see Fair attractions include the giant pumpkins, decorated cakes and deep fried Oreos.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *