The Giant Dipper

When I was preparing to return to San Diego after having visited there a handful of times last year, I came across Belmont Park, a seaside amusement park featuring a historically landmarked wooden rollercoaster called The Giant Dipper.

Say no more.

On Sunday Edith and I drove to Mission Beach to go check it out.

Most of the rides are for kiddies but we squealed on the truly nervewracking Dipper which shook us to the core and gave us a mild case of whiplash. It only lasts about a minute and a half but the restored coaster - which features original wood and replaced screws to make it slightly less rickety - gave us some twists and turns and heights and dips to rival the Coney Island Cyclone. Only, lucky for us, this one had a nice, sturdy lap bar keeping us in our seats.











After we survived the Dipper and cracked our necks to each side, we made ourselves sick on the Tilt-a-Whirl.

I can't think of a better way to spend vacation than a hot air balloon ride, winetasting, and an amusement park. Add to that a ferry ride and a hot shell massage, and I can't wait to go back.