Ride the Wave

I knew I was going to go on this camping/stargazing trip last weekend, and I knew I wanted to catch the fireworks over the San Diego Bay, so I decided to leisurely make my way down with stops in Julian, Palomar Mountain, Valley Center, and Del Mar to catch the last day of the San Diego County Fair, something I'd wanted to visit when I lived in Joshua Tree two years ago, and when I was housesitting in LA a year ago, but never did.

Amusement parks and fairs aren't that fun when you go alone, but I'm enough of a fair food and amusements nut to brave the solitary life and just go.

And boy am I glad I did, not only to see my first demolition derby, but to discover my favorite ride I have ever ridden: the Rave Wave.

Faster than the Flying Bobs, less nauseating than the Scrambler, and louder than the Tilt-a-Whirl, the Rave Wave is a version of the Himalaya (as us East Coasters know it), with a circular train that goes up and down an undulating circular track, only the Rave Wave goes really fast, only backwards, and envelopes you in a canopy that leaves you riding in the dark for the last half.

You have to see it to believe it, so I scrambled to document it.

For your viewing pleasure, may I present, the Rave Wave:


Rave Wave - SD County Fair amusement park ride


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