#60 - Carousel Time! Final Celebration!

​NYC World's Fair in 1964

​Since I turned 60 a year ago, I've been hoping to visit some kind of fair. I figured that would be the ultimate way to celebrate one of my best 6-year-old memories. 

My family only lived in New York one year, but it was a good one! I was 6 and my family lived in Staten Island. The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge was being built that year, so my father had to take the ferry to work. I loved it when our family of 6 took the ferry to Manhattan. I remember viewing the construction of the fair's iconic Unisphere, eager for the fair to open. 

My memories of the World's Fair are wonderful and dream-like! ​​

​Spheres to Dinosaurs

I found old scrapbook photos. Even though they were blurry, they brought back giddy memories and made me crave a little fair time.  But even if I'd found a fair enjoy, there would be no Unisphere or dinosaurs... no General Motors Futurama or Pieta.

However, I knew there had been a big carousel at the World's Fair. If I couldn't make a trip to a fair for my final celebration, maybe a fancy carousel ride would do the trick!  
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The Houston Zoo Carousel!
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When I realized our Houston zoo had a carousel, I decided that could be my fair celebration!

Cheating
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I enjoyed my carousel adventure on my birthday yesterday. So I sort of cheated. My 60th (6-year-old) celebration was actually on the day I turned 61. Oh well. I still acted like  60-yea- old. Actually, I acted more like a 6-year-old, but I'm afraid they still charged me the adult ticket price. 

Early at the Zoo
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Don and I headed for the zoo in the misty, chilly morning. We beat the crowds and had the carousel to ourselves. Staff members Steven and Jill were playful and patient with us, taking photos and putting up with my giddy chatter.

How to Decide?
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How does one possibly make a choice when there are 64 completely different beasts? I could ride a caterpillar or an armadillo, a koala or manatee! I headed for the giraffe, but was reminded by Jill, that the giraffe does not go up and down. Steven told us the cheetah was popular, because it goes so fast. That made me laugh, so I went for it.

​Round and Round 

​Before we got on, I promised Steven and Jill that I would NOT do tricks. I told them my memory of standing on my carousel horse at age 4, hoping to impress my mother who watched from the ground. I was crushed when by the carousel attendant reprimanded! 

Don and I enjoyed having the whole merry-go-round to ourselves. We waved to Steven and Jill, as if they were adoring parents. Well, not really. But we waved for the camera.

Goal Complete! 
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​Riding the carousel, was like stepping back in time! What a wonderful 60th celebration!

I finished my goal!

I am 61 now and all done. It was fun removing that zero from my 60-year-old age, for an entire year. I liked being 6, but I guess I'm ready to grow up. Being 6 is exhausting.