Living Wright: Summer-fun activities inspire wishes to be a kid again
BY JASON ASHLEY WRIGHT World Scene Writer
Thursday, July 12, 2012
7/12/12 at 4:59 AM
Go to Jason Ashley Wright's BlogOriginal Print Headline: Kiddie summer
I miss water guns.
Perhaps not surprisingly, I was quite happy to stay indoors during childhood summers, playing Atari, drawing my own comic books or building alien cities for my "Clash of the Titans" Kraken action figure to destroy. It was either the Kraken or my Cabbage Patch Kid, Josh, who wasn't nearly as menacing.
But given permission and a fully loaded water gun, plus fuel in the form of Pixy Stix and Peach Nehi sodas, I was happier still to run amok outside.
That might be why I took so much joy in buying my nephew, T, some water guns - more specifically, one for him, one for me and one for his daddy - summer before last.
My parents and grandparents were right about enjoying my childhood days while they lasted. I mean, they didn't put it quite so ominously ...
Mom: "Your days are numbered, Baby."
Me: "What?"
Mom: "Nothing. Just drink your Nehi with Josh."
But it's this time of year that I miss playing like a kid - know what I mean? So I've come up with a list of stuff I'd love to do if I could turn back time.
The Frogger, Tulsa Zoo I have absolutely no desire to bungee-jump off anything more than a high stool, so the idea of the Frogger appeals to me - a bungee harness I can jump around in like a little freak. Or, as the name suggests, an amphibian.
Extreme Water Park, Oklahoma Aquarium As I have many a fond memory of my Slip 'N Slide, I'd love to take a turn on the 50-foot-long Volcano Slip and Slide - which, I've discovered, is for ages 4 and older, meaning me. They also said something about inflatables - those bounce-house things. But having been stuck once in one between the floor and the wall, and kicked loose by a carney, I'll pass.
Go-Karts at Andy B's I haven't been in a go-cart - or however it's spelled - since I was in sixth grade, and I don't remember anything about it because it was on a church trip during middle school, so I was probably more concerned about my hair being out of place. Whatever, I want a do-over with this experience. Then, when I'm done, I can walk safely to the bar.
Big Splash Other than for a couple of swimsuit photo shoots in the past 14 years, I've never been. Seeing as how it's a Tulsa summer icon, I have to go, right?
Granted, I can't swim, but I still want to scream down one of those water slides, as long as there's at least one lifeguard and zero Krakens.
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