***UPDATE***
It is not a tetherball pole. This pole is actually about 20 feet tall or taller. It has 4 chains hanging down. At the bottom of the chains should be handles. Four kids grab hold of those handles and start running. Then you end up going up in the air as you swing around, you come down, run about two steps and fly in the air again. It has got to be the funnest "thing" ever. Actually, that's what we called it.... "The Thing". We were in grade school, it's the best name we could come up with.
If you look in my comments there was one person who had that on their playground, too. You won't find them on any playground now, I suppose they are a bit dangerous but man, I still would love to go for a ride on one of those again!!
*****************************
I m really wondering if there is anyone out there that recognizes this.
I'll give you just a little hint to what it is. This was my favorite thing between about the ages of 5-11, but I would still enjoy it if I could. I have told Lineman about this particular thing many times and he probably thought I was crazy. While out on a walk in this little old abandoned town we are living in, I spotted this thing and went wild. I told Lineman we should see if we could get it somehow.
So, is there anyone out there that recognizes this or has a memory of it?
16 comments:
hmmm, the only thing that I can think of, is that it looks like one of the things we had on our school playgrounds when I was in grade school. (Like a mayflower pole), handles on those chains that we grabbed ahold of and swung around and around the pole on. (??)
Yeah, Yeah, yeah!!!!!!!!!! I was so excited to see that someone knew what it was!!!!
This is at an old abandoned school. They took off the bottom part of the chain with the handles. I just loved this thing as a kid. IT was at our elementary school. I'm sure you won't find any of these around any more as I'm sure they are "too dangerous" for kids.
Oh, we called it "The Thing".
A tether ball pole , waaaaaaaaa hoooooooo. Fond memoreis here!
I was thinking a tetherball pole too! I loved the game SO SO SO much in elementary school. :)
I had forgotten all about that, but we girls spent alot of time swinging around on it. Yes, Most of the old playground items are deemed too dangerous nowdays. Of course I do remember needing to duck sometimes to get out of the way of those chains with the metal handles on them when someone let loose too!
I also remember the swings like you have pictured though we didn't have one on our playground. I think these comments may date us a bit. Of course you remember them, Carin, and you're young.
I was thinking tetherball too. But what you are talking about sounds more fun.
I thought it was a tether ball pole too.
-FringeGirl
I've never seen a swing like that, either. My first thought was the same as the others... tetherball. I did find this old picture of such a swing in use. I think you're right... it would never meet playground code today. Such good fun, too...
OMGosh.....when I was in 4th grade we had one of these on our playground. It was so much FUN!!!!!! I do remember hurting myself pretty bad though.
It was fun until your hands got tired and it was time to let go. I think too many kids got hurt on this so they eventually had to do anyway with it.
Our Tiny Dot, thanks for finding that picture, that is so neat! Now, in my memory please note I fly up about 15 feet =)
R&R, I'm so glad you knew what I was talking about and that you got to play on one too! It was the best piece of playground equipment out there (though perhaps not the safest) =)
Sounds like so much fun! I'd gladly hold on to one of the other chains when you take a spin!
I don't remember playing on one but I remember seeing one somewhere!
Things I miss from the playground that are now probably classified too dangerous now:
Tether ball like others mentioned. I jammed my middle finger big time on the pole once. I did play tether ball last summer at our family reunion and hope I can talk Tim into putting one up for the grandkids but they're no longer on a playground I'm sure!
Also the monkey bars. I spent hours spinning on the monkey bars. My dad "being the best dad ever" even made us a set of tall and short ones at our house (imbedded in concrete so they wouldn't get loose). I loved spinning around and around and eventually having such a burn on the back of my leg I'd go get a towel to put under my knee and go spin some more! :) You made me remember great childhood memories Carin! Thanks!
Myrna
Carin, I'm sure we had one of those swings in our school playground. I don't remember playing on it...which doesn't mean that I didn't, it just means I don't remember!! I remember making the merry go round go really fast then jumping off. Also swinging so high that you almost swung your self over the bar!!
Ok... looks like I may be the winner on naming this "thing"... had one at Juniper elem. LOVED it. Got calouses from it! Herlinda and I would fly soooo high! The name? GIANT STRIDE. Love, love, loved this! I went back to that school about 2 years ago and, unfortunately, it was gone. :( I wanted my kids to give it a go. Oh well. It was replaced by portable classrooms. Figures.
Now that I think about it, I bet we rode on the Giant Stride together several times without even knowing each other very well. We weren't really "friends" till highschool. Wierd to think about.
Post a Comment