Too Late

The trees have leaves, the flowers have buds and the natural areas around the house are covered in honeysuckle.  The birds wake us each morning and the air smells like honey and lilacs.  Sure signs of Spring, right?  Not quite so fast.  If you live in Northern Cincinnati, you know there is only one sure to way to know when Spring has sprung....opening weekend at Kings Island.  It was 10 o'clock on the nose last night when the familiar boom sounded.  Those fireworks are how we will tell time until the leaves begin to fall again.  

And just like every opening weekend, Jeff and I take a trip past the park to see the first rides starting and the parking lot full of kids of all ages.  This time, we took also took detour...a trip to the beach.

Unfortunately, this park was not quite as joyous.  There were no cars, no kids, no rides running.  The dilapidated flags showed the only signs of movement in the park.  The gate was locked.  Adjoining fields were littered with "parts" being prepared for sale.  

Twenty seven years..and this was my first trip to The Beach.  It seems I was a season too late.