Before I am Famous

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Leap the Dips

Posted on | August 20, 2008 |

Today we finally got to go to Lakemont Park in Altoona for dollar days. I don’t know why they call it dollar days but it is only 3 bucks to get it and ride and slide all day long. This is a good bargain but the rides are antique and most of them spin (think fair or carnival type of rides). The have the one of the oldest, working roller coasters in the world called “Leap the Dips” The coaster is a side friction style and was built in 1902 (for those not good in math it is 106 years old.)

I always wanted to ride this but never got around to it. Sunshine got to go with me and this was her first big coaster. There are no seat belts or lap bars. You just sit in a seat and that is about it. There is only one car and 2-3 people can seat in each seat. When it is done, a guy uses a a long wooden handbreak and the car stops. He then pushes to the entrance and the people get on. After the people are on he pushes the car to the chain, the chain starts rotating and up we go. This coaster is insane when they say leap the dips you really feel airborne. There are no steep drops or anything and it doesn’t go very fast but there are little dips and when you come down you are flying out of the seat.

I love coasters but this was memorable by far plus it is an antique so I think makes it even better. If you are ever in Altoona, PA in the summer go to Lakemont and ride Leap the Dips!

Category: wanderlust

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