In fall of '79, I had a little kid come to the float trip, kicking, screaming, crying, and in complete terror. He was afraid the ride was all going to be dark and scary like the flooded mine. I was alone on the dispatch stand that afternoon, all other employees were gone on breaks. This kid was giving such a fight, his parents were having trouble getting him on the boat. The line was starting to back up. What was I going to do? I began a long, drawn out speech directed at the kid. I told him I was a bona fide river rat, on the mighty James River. I told him the river was magical. It was the eighth wonder of the world...the only river that ran in a complete circle! I showed him the hillbilly hat I was wearing, and I told him it was my magic hat, the hat that protected me from anything and everything. I asked him if he would wear the hat while he rode in the boat. I promised it would keep him safe, and that he would be able to get through the whirlpool, he could go through the cave, and pass the water geysers, and nothing would happen to him, in fact, he would have a good time with his family, and since he wore the magic hat, he'd be protecting them, too. The kid was wide eyed, but stopped crying, I handed the hat to him, and his dad put it on his head. I asked the kid if he was ready to go and have fun, and he nodded he was. With that, I dispached the boat...and as it went off the dock, the fifty or so people waiting to board burst out in massive applause and laughter. Seven minutes later the kid came back around, safe and sound. He had a big ole smile on his face, and his parents said he had a good time on the ride. The look on that kids face when he got off the boat and bounded down the path on to his next adventure at SDC has lasted with me for over thirty years, now. Sometimes the guests gave me more pleasure than I could give back to them. That kid would have to be near 40 years old now. Hey kid, if you're reading this...thanks for the memories! You really made MY day!
