Monday, October 7, 2013

Would You?

     My son took this photo with his cell phone. This is the Ferris wheel at Pier 50 near where he works in downtown Seattle.  I live in the desert...we don't see water in large amounts like that!  As my daughter and I looked at the photo she commented that she would not even consider getting on that Ferris wheel and riding over the water.
     I have never been to Seattle so I did some research on The Seattle Great Wheel. The wheel was built directly on the pier with 550 tons of concrete poured for the foundation.  It is new, only opening in June of 2012.  300 people can ride at one time and the wheel extends nearly 40 feet beyond the end of the pier over Elliott Bay. For adults it costs $13 to ride. Of course if you want an even more impressive view you can ride in the VIP gondola for $50 a person.  It has a glass floor.   I didn't find out how long a ride lasts but each ride is three revolutions of the 175 foot Ferris wheel. 175 feet??!! In case you wonder, the tallest Ferris Wheel is the Singapore Flyer at 541 feet tall.  LOL, the Ferris wheel in our local amusement park seems pretty small now --- it is only 54 feet high.
     My daughter's comment that she would not get on that thing stems from the fact that she has a fierce fear of water, a fear my mother instilled in all of us. I am also fearful of heights and I am claustrophobic.  On top of that, once when I was about 8 years old my older brother and I rode a Ferris wheel type ride in which the gondola was an enclosed cage that also rotated.  Well, it was a traveling carnival ride, just passing through town for a few nights. Something happened to the wheel and it stopped. Our cage was at the very top, stuck hanging upside down, for over 30 minutes.  I ponder a long time whether I really want to ride something before I get on a ride now!  I look at them and say to myself how will I feel if something happens and I am stuck on that thing for a half hour or so. 
     Considering this is a newly built wheel I think I might overcome my fears and ride it.  But sitting here in Texas that is easy to say right now.  How about you? Would you ride a Ferris wheel this tall over water?

10 comments:

  1. Only with you in the seat beside me!!!

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  2. LOL! Let's go! Are you springing for the $50 a person gondola? (I know this is my sister---I'm not taking up with strangers!)

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    1. Yes, I will spring for us tickets. Just don't know how we are going to get to Seattle. Plus, I think I would also like to walk on the glass walkway that extends out at Grand Canyon, and ride in a hot air balloon.

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    2. Ohkay, I will put on my big girl panties and do all 3 too, when Publishers Clearing House comes by my house with that big check. News is on right now and just heard a balloon at Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta crashed into something, basket came loose and dropped 2 people 40 feet. They have at least one balloon incident every year it seems. I would sure want to know the balloon pilot knew what he was doing!

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    3. Oh NO! Update on accident....balloon got tangled in electrical wires, basket caught on fire, and the 2 men not only fell but were burned, but have survived and in hospital.

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  3. A glass gondola!? No way would I ever do that!

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  4. No, just the floor is glass. (the rest is probably fiberglass, I am just guessing)

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  5. Okay I didn't see the photo - it did not come up for me. But yes I think I would do it - not for $50 - wowowowowow.

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    1. LOL! I thought $13 a person was a pretty hefty price!!! I wonder why you can't see the photo when I can...crumb.

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    2. I deleted the photo and reattached---would you mind checking again and letting me know if you can see the photo now please? and thank you! Have a great day

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