Six Flags Magic Mountain is a popular amusement park located in Valencia, California. Known for its thrilling roller coasters and exciting attractions, it is a favorite destination for adrenaline junkies and families alike. The park is home to over 100 rides and attractions, with something for everyone to enjoy. One of the main highlights of the park is its collection of roller coasters, which includes some of the tallest and fastest in the world. Coasters such as Twisted Colossus, Goliath, and X2 offer thrilling drops, inversions, and speeds that will leave visitors breathless. In addition to roller coasters, Six Flags Magic Mountain also offers a variety of other attractions.
In addition to roller coasters, Six Flags Magic Mountain also offers a variety of other attractions. The park has several water rides, such as Tidal Wave and Jet Stream, which provide a refreshing break from the heat. There are also family-friendly rides, including bumper cars, carousels, and a Ferris wheel, for those seeking a more relaxed experience.
Magic in the Garden
I bit into the apple and spit two hard black dots into my small palm. “What are these?” I asked my father. He told me they were seeds and that we could plant them and they would grow into apple trees.
We dug two little holes by the back door and dropped one seed in each. We patted the dirt down, and I sprinkled the area with water from our old metal watering can.
What my father didn’t tell me was that we would be moving in two weeks and wouldn’t be around to watch the trees sprout. Still, this is one of my formative memories during those early years when we moved five times in five years.
Children are fascinated by growing things. Michael Pollan, author of “Second Nature: A Gardener’s Education,” remembers his delight in gardening when he was a little boy: “Cradling the globe of a cantaloupe warmed by the sun or pulling orange spears straight from the sandy soil, these were the keenest of pleasures.”
Growing Healthy Kids, part of the Orange County Partnership for Young Children, is a local program that provides young people and their families garden plots so that they can experience the magic of growing fruits and vegetables. Participating families must have a child under the age of 7. Families are required to work in the garden two hours a week, but “required” is hardly the right word. Many families go every day.
“It’s incredibly satisfying to see the excitement in the faces of the children,” says Maria Hitt, project manager. “They’ll dig up a radish or potato plant and see that there’s something growing underneath. They are so proud that they grew it.”
If you visit a local garden you’ll hear at least three languages – Spanish, English, and Karen, spoken by people from Burma. There are currently 38 families with 77 children involved in the program, ranging in age from 6 months to 16 years old. For these kids, whatever their ages, gardening is a passion. A mother told Hitt recently that her young son “cried because I was too tired to take him to the garden and he so wanted to go.”
Basic lessons in sustainability are a byproductParents who work in the restaurant business bring home discarded vegetable waste to add to the community compost rather than throwing it away.
“And each site harvests rain water to irrigate,” Hitt says. “If it doesn’t rain for a few weeks, we’re in trouble.”
The staff teaches the children how to prepare the foods they harvest.
“My hope is that people are learning how to grow their own food,” Hitt says, “and that they’ll be inspired and able to continue to grow food for their families that’s fresh and organic.”
Kids’ eating habits benefit from the experience. The parents say that when their children help to grow it, they will eat foods they never would have touched before.
One of the gardens is at Carrboro Elementary School, another at the site of the future MLK Park on Hillsborough Street, and the third is at the Duke Energy power plant on James Street.
“It’s tricky to keep everything and everybody organized,” Hitt says, “especially when dealing with three languages, three locations, fickle weather, and our three-person staff is all part-time… And we’re facing funding cuts.”
Michael Pollan writes. “We need to use nature without destroying it, diminishing it. Nature and culture can, in the garden, be wedded. In fact I find in the garden some grounds for hope.”
I’m sure everyone involved in the gardens would agree. And, by the way, they always need volunteers. Contact the group at 967-9091 or online at www.orangesmartstart.org.
New Publication
I'm happy to be part of this collection of personal stories, a collaboration involving over 60 teachers of memoir from around the world. The book is published independently by the Birren Center for Autobiographical Writing, through which the authors are certified to teach.
Some of the Books I’ve Edited
A unique and beautiful exploration of Helen Keller's abiding friendship with prominent journalist Ed Chamberlin–and much more about Keller's struggles, passions, and values. The author is Chamberiin's great-great-granddaughter.
On August 8, 2020, in pandemic heat, I introduced Kristen Rademacher (via Zoom)at the launch party for From the Lake House, A Mother’s Odyssey of Loss and Love, her wrenching memoir. Flyleaf Books, our hopping indie bookstore here in Chapel Hill, NC, hosted the event. A large crowd from across the country and around the world tuned in for the inspiring multi-media event.
This poignant memoir gives a boy's view of life in Nazi-held Prague and his escape to freedom in a challenging America.
An award winning collection of powerful stories about serving the many needs of elderly and indigent patients, as one of America's first gerontological nurse practitioners.
Essays by women ministers about their challenges and victories in answering the call to ministry. A mother's 40-year struggle to raise an autistic son – and to grow up herself.This idyllic memoir recollects the sweet and simple summer pleasures of family life in mid-century Cape Cod.
If you love your pets and make sacrifices for them, you will adore this lively book about a family's needy cats.
The history of a women's shelter in Birmingham, Alabama, as told through many voices. William Buffett's short essays on nearly everything, arranged as an alphabet book. Essays about one man's dimensional life including some of his favorite recipes.Buy Losing Malcolm
A new edition of my 2001 memoir about the life and death of my first child, and how the experience of his loss profoundly altered the course of my life. Click on the cover image above to buy it in paperback or Kindle.
Buy Farther Along
What began as a one-day workshop for bereaved mothers has evolved into a reflective writing group with over 15 years of rich shared experience. The women's stories and guided exercises offer a blueprint for how to use writing as a tool for healing. (Click on the cover image above to buy it in paperback or Kindle.)
Farther Along—Facebook
Farther Along Blog
A group blog kept by the mothers whose stories are featured in Farther Along, the Writing Journey of Thirteen Bereaved Mothers
What Else I’m Doing
• In November, I’ll be leading a retreat for the writers in the Farther Along group in the NC mountains. We continue to meet at least twice a year. • I offer one-on-one intensive workshops with writers on week-long retreats. This service is for writers I’ve been working with for long periods. • For the second year, I led a week-long writing retreat in May at the Trinity Center on the North Carolina Coast. This was a lovely chance for women with writing projects to work, undisturbed, by day and to gather after dinner to write together and focus on one writer’s work in more detail. It will be offered again in May 2024. • I hope to again be offering live programs at Well of Mercy. Make sure you’re on their mailing list. And I hope to go live at RCWMS. Stay tuned for other workshops. • On September 30, 2021, 7 pm, I hosted a Zoom discussion with Betsy Emerson, talking with her about her magnificent new book: Letters from Red Farm: The Untold Story of the friendship between Helen Keller and Journalist Joseph Edward Chamberlin. Sponsored by the Norwich Bookstore (VT). Stay tuned for more details. • On August 8, 2020, I introduced Kristen Rademacher (via Zoom) for the launch party of her wrenching and redeeming memoir, From the Lake House, A Mother’s Odyssey of Loss and Love. • In June 2019, at Flyleaf Books our fabulous local independent store, I introduced one of my students, Peter Stein, before he read (to a packed house) from his just-published memoir, A Boy’s Journey From Nazi-Occupied Prague to Freedom in America. • Another student, Marianna Crane, gave a reading from her new book Stories From the Tenth Floor Clinic: A Nurse Practitioner Remembers at Flyleaf Books in November 2018. I was happy to introduce her. She’s offering all sorts of interesting presentations based on her book. Follow her blog, Nursing Stories. • At the end of 2018, I co-led a weekend of writing workshops at Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC. Reverend Julie Hester, a Farther Along mom, taught with me. I’ve offered writing workshops to congregations all over the country. Be in touch if your congregation is interested. • In 2019, I offered two sessions of “The Art of the Condolence Note” workshop through UNC Hospitals. The sessions were for doctors, nurses, social workers and interns. I hope to offer these again after the pandemic. • I completed a 2-year contract with Heartland Hospice, training support services staff all over the country to integrate restorative writing into the hospice environment. I have written a guidebook to support and expand the reach of the trainings for hospice staff. The guidebook is now available to other hospices. Let me know if you want to discuss setting up trainings at your hospice. • The creative nonfiction group I lead meets monthly. Several members have finished books and are in the midst of publication now. Others are working on essays and linked essay collections. • I continue to meet monthly with a group of bereaved mothers here in Chapel Hill (since 2012). We’ve taken three summer weekend retreats and managed to meet for a few pond swims in 2020 and 2021. More in 2022! • I meet with another group of bereaved moms (from around the state and Virginia) for two retreats a year–and mini gatherings in between (since 2002). This group, the Farther Along Writers, is the basis for my book, Farther Along: The Writing Journey of Thirteen Bereaved Mothers. We decided to take our 20th anniversary to Red Cloud, Nebraska, home of Willa Cather, in September 2021. For our 15th anniversary of writing together, we took a retreat at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, in November 2017, where, between writings and readings, we visited the home of Georgia O’Keeffe, hiked exquisite trails, and soaked up the stunning mountainous landscape. Our 2017 spring retreat, in the North Carolina Mountains, included a hike along a new trail at Pilot Mountain State Park. We contributed to the effort to plant abundant milkweed along the path to attract migrating butterflies. Butterflies are one of our totem symbols of renewal and hope. Our 2018 spring retreat was held in Leland, NC. In the fall of 2018, we met in the North Carolina mountains, at Montreat, with a special trip to the Biltmore Estate to see the Chihuly glass sculpture exhibit. In the spring of 2019, we met at a private home in the NC mountains. We went to the beach in the fall of 2019. Next up, the mountains, April 2020. • I’ve been offering several short retreats and “field trips” for my ongoing groups. These are not open to the general public. • I’m compiling and editing (at a sloth’s pace) several of my previously published essays and columns and some unpublished writings, perhaps for a new book.
In Addition
If you’re interested in having me offer a writing workshop or series for your civic, church, or community group, contact me. Themes include: Writing Toward Healing, Living with Loss, Living with Illness, Staff Development through Restorative Writing, The Art of the Condolence Note, and more. Even if you aren’t sure what you want or need, don’t hesitate to contact me. We can brainstorm and tailor a program to your particular needs. I look forward to hearing from you. See “Contact” to be in touch.
Sites I Recommend
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This won’t be a book that I keep on my shelf. I’ll keep it until I find the right person to pass it along to. I’d suggest checking the library first before purchasing this one.
The park is divided into several themed areas, each offering its own unique experience. From the bustling streets of Metropolis to the wild and treacherous paths of the mountain, visitors can explore different worlds within the park. The park map is an essential tool for navigating these areas and ensuring that visitors don't miss out on any of the excitement. The Six Flags Magic Mountain map provides a detailed layout of the park, including the location of rides, shows, dining options, and facilities. It outlines the different areas of the park and helps visitors plan their day accordingly. Whether you're looking to conquer the biggest coasters or enjoy a leisurely stroll through the park, the map will guide you to your desired destination. In addition to the physical map, Six Flags Magic Mountain also offers a mobile app that provides real-time information about wait times, show schedules, and special offers. This app allows visitors to have all the park information in the palm of their hand, making their visit more convenient and enjoyable. Overall, Six Flags Magic Mountain is a must-visit destination for thrill-seekers and amusement park enthusiasts. With its wide range of rides and attractions, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you're a roller coaster fanatic or prefer a more relaxed experience, the park has you covered. So grab a map, plan your day, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure at Six Flags Magic Mountain!.
Reviews for "From Mild to Wild: Finding the Perfect Ride for Every Thrill Seeker on the Magic Mountain Map"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with my visit to Six Flags Magic Mountain. The lines were incredibly long and it seemed like there was no organization when it came to managing the crowds. Not only did I spend the majority of my day standing in line, but when I finally got on a ride, it was over in a matter of seconds. The coasters themselves seemed outdated and not very thrilling. Overall, it was a lackluster experience and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable theme park visit.
2. John - 1/5 - My trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain was a complete waste of time and money. The park was dirty, the staff was rude, and the rides were subpar at best. The lines were ridiculously long and the wait times were unbearable. To make matters worse, the food options were overpriced and tasted terrible. I left the park feeling frustrated and regretful of my decision to visit. Save yourself the trouble and find a better amusement park to enjoy.
3. Emma - 2/5 - I was really underwhelmed by Six Flags Magic Mountain. The park lacked any sort of charm or atmosphere that I usually associate with theme parks. The rides were the only highlight, but even then, the wait times were excessive. The park seemed poorly maintained and the overall experience left a lot to be desired. I would recommend looking elsewhere for a better theme park experience.