Ultimate shoulder rides

Just wanted to congratulate all on the great photos, videos, and stories. This site has provided warmth and sunshine to me during the dark, dreary months of winter in the northern hemisphere. It is heartening to see the number of people who share my passion for shoulder riding. Even better, the universal enjoyment that is herein represented

Sorry that I do not have photos and videos that I am free to share with you, all I have is my experiences and imagination. I hope you can appreciate these small contributions. Due to my advanced years the opportunity to participate have diminished; however I have numerous recent observances and some fond remebrances that I can relate.

When I was a youth summer was definitely my favorite time of the year; not only because school was out, but also it meant the many days spent at the local pool. Our summer days were consumed with baseball in the morning, then home for lunch, and the rest of the day in the water.

These were the days before everyone became obsessed with kids playing games that could possibly result in some injury, however minor. So shoulder rides, chicken fights, and other fun pursuits were the rule rather than the exception or completely banned.

I was in heaven! When not being a participant, I sat on the side and observed many great rides. One of my disappointments was that I had a crush on a 17 year old neighbor girl. I was 13 or 14 at the time and she probably would have been amused, but probably not receptive to this fact. I never got a chance to carry her on my shoulders nor would I have had the nerve to even ask.

I do recall one incident that stands out in my mind even though it happened almost 50 years ago. My neighbor showed up at the pool with some of her girl fiends. This was not a usual happenstance since they were a little older than most of the kids who frequented the pool. I think the reason they were there was that one of the girls had an eye on a male life guard.

My eyes were on her from the time she walked out of the dressing room. All activity of mine ceased while she was there. It was not too long before the girls were in the deep end, but they eventually worked their way into the shallow end. I could not believe it when she went behind one of her girl friends, gently pushed her under the water, and got on her shoulders. What a site. The girl of my dreams perched high atop another girl's shoulders and apparently enjoying the ride. She seemed like an accomplished jockey as she tucked her feet behind her horse's back and sat up straight. The ride may have lasted only a few moments, but it was a great thrill for me to observe.

Never saw it happen again to this girl, but it was worth a life time of memories.

More tales to come.

Can I have my bonus membership back?

Lindy