Six Flags Over Georgia

Me and my Mom - Denise

What a summer it was, back when I was still just a girl, and adventures were plentiful.  Being just my Mom and I, it was easy to have time to get-a-way, but money was hard to come by. Often our summer adventures were at the local Moose Lodge, where I went swimming six days a week. I had met and made many friends in that 12' deep pool, and couple of foes, that were two boys that always tried to drown the girls, splash us endlessly or untie our bikini tops. Little did they know, my Mom always tied the strings in a knot, prior to tying them into bows.   Once in a while, we would drive to the next biggest city to spend a day, and only a day. My Mom was the first to take me to the French Quarters in New Orleans. She said, "As your Mother it is my duty to take you to where I know one day you will sneak off to. This way you can tell the others, I have been here, my Mother brought me." Over time we have made several trips to the Big Easy, but none will be as memorable as that first trip with my Mom. After a while, my Mom decided we needed to take more extensive trips across the U.S. We traveled to the beaches of Key West, to the beaches of New Port and Virginia Beach. We have been to the deserts of Arizona to the deserts of Mexico. We have been to the Red Rocks of Sedona, to the top of The Great Smoky Mountains and all across the foothills of The Appalachians.  We traveled by foot, automobile, bike, bus, boat, trains and planes. If we had wings I am sure we would have flown on our own. I think, I recall seeing a pair sprouting from my Mom. She has always been an angel in my eyes, and has protected me, shining a beacon light to help keep me on course.  One of my favorite trips was to Six Flags Over Georgia. My Mom did not plan the trip, she simply said, "In the morning, we will drive to Georgia and take a short trip." And we did. We packed for the three day, two night stay, and took off early that morning. The four hour road trip was fun, as we sung to songs on the radio, had breakfast at Waffle House and one stop for gas. I had no idea where we were heading, except to Georgia, perhaps even Atlanta? Indeed, Atlanta, for a brief shopping trip.  We did not check into the hotel, we headed straight to Six Flags. It can be seen from the Interstate. I was so excited as we pulled into the entrance. We got out, locked up the car and a trolley train picked us up and took us right to the admission booths. Once the tickets were purchased, my Mom exclaimed, "Oh, NO!" I asked, "What is wrong, Mom?" She stated she had left the camera at home. I did not care about the camera, I was focused on that big wooden roller-coaster. But, things worked out, as soon as we entered, we were met by an employee of Six Flags, whose job was to capture people upon entering, and before leaving they could purchase the photo. At least we had that one photograph, which we almost forget to pick up on our way out.  Back to that roller-coaster I had my eye on. I had never been on a roller-coaster, so it looked very exciting. It was called 'Great American Scream Machine', built in 1973, this old wooden construction should have been named the 'Great American Cry Machine', because I cried, next to my Mom, the entire two minutes it was moving. It seemed more like twenty minutes. It being so old, it really hurt and banged us up. It jerked to the point I thought it would jerk me off the ride. Did I say, "One of my favorite trips was to Six Flags Over Georgia." (?) In spite of that first ride, the remainder of my Six Flag Over Georgia adventure was filled with thrills and laughs. We loved the water rides the most. Plus they cooled us off. Thunder River was our favorite ride and after the fourth time, we were soaked to the bone. I can still hear our laughter and feel that waterfall we got stuck under, till the older guys rocked us away from the wall. Even the Mississippi River could not beat Thunder River in the summer heat.  It was not till we were headed back home, after our adventures were over, that my Mom told me about her first trip to Six Flags Over Georgia.  In 1971 my Mom went to the same theme park as a child, and still has photographs of herself and the entire family. On that particular trip in 1971, the park officials notified my Grandfather Burnside that his oldest brother, Broughton, had been trying to reach him, and the hotel gave him the number to the theme park. That called revealed the worse news, their beloved Mother had passed away. Their summer vacation was met with grief and sorrow.  Perhaps, going back to Six Flags Over Georgia, with my brother and later with me, made it a place of good memories, to counteract the bad memories? Who knows her reasons? But for whatever they may be, I am glad she went back with me.  ℰℒℬ                                                                       2011 My Grandfather and my Mom, circa 1970