Ever since I moved to Salem in 1977, Enchanted Forest has been a regular must-visit for my family. Notably my daughter Celeste, born in 1972, and now my granddaughter Evelyn, age 7.
Visiting us this week from their home in southern California along with husband/father Patrick, they were as shocked and saddened as I was to hear of the death last Saturday of Humpty Dumpty -- a beloved feature of the park for as long as I can remember.
Download Humpty Dumpty has great fall at Enchanted Forest
Reportedly two men climbing on the wall were responsible for Dumpty's demise. I'm not sure what the penalty is for negligent eggslaughter. Hopefully they will be made to pay for this heinous crime against a character in a children's nursery rhyme.
Today we all went to Enchanted Forest. Naturally we paid our respects to Humpty Dumpty. The remains, thankfully, had been removed. We were pleased to see that Dumpty's rebirth had already been set in motion.
I believe the man on the right is Roger Tofte, the creator of Enchanted Forest, and hero of this poem placed at the site. Tofte was born in 1930, so this makes him about 84 years old. If this indeed was him, he is a testament to the power of staying youthful through bringing joy to young and old.
Many other Enchanted Forest visitors shared our pleasure at finding the Humpty Dumpty resurrection work proceeding so quickly. Next visit, I'm sure, Dumpty will be back as good as new.
We had a great time at the park, as we always do. The BIg Timber Log Ride was a favorite of everybody's. Here's Patrick, Evelyn, and Celeste captured by the Log Ride camera.
And below is Laurel, my wife, and me. I like how my hair blossomed out in the first stage of the 40 foot watery drop at the end of the ride.
Laurel weenied out by using one of the plastic ponchos offered to Log Riders (front person gets wet the most). She also is closing her eyes. I would happily have sat in front, but the ride attendant said the heavier person needed to be in back, and that definitely was me.
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