We all remember the first time that we do anything of significance. Sometimes, however, we experience something for the first time and decide right then and there that it will also be the last time we ever go through that experience again.

The following is an example of someone's experience that was never repeated.

The Ride I Never Forgot

I will never forget the first time I rode on one of the BIG roller coasters. It was also the very last time I rode on one of the BIG roller coasters. I have never been so frightened in my entire life. It happened the summer after I graduated from high school many years ago. My best girlfriend and I went to spend the summer with her aunt and uncle in Los Angeles. We felt so grown-up and responsible, like we could conquer the world. Well, part of the world almost conquered me.

We were having great fun. Everyday was a new adventure filled with fun things to do like going to the beach and getting sunburned so badly, we looked like lobsters. We even got temporary jobs working in department stores for a few weeks to earn extra spending money. We thought we were on top of the world. Then, we made a decision that I regretted immediately and have never forgotten.

One day, we decided to drive into Long Beach. We had heard about the big roller coaster there and thought it would be fun to ride on it. It was a nice, warm day with beautiful weather, and we were so excited. We could hardly wait to go on our ride and then write home and tell our families and all our friends about our adventure. We stood in line anxiously waiting for our turn. Finally, we were at the front of the line, and a car pulled up and stopped beside us. We climbed in the car and fastened the bar snugly across our laps. Our smiles were so big, our faces were hurting. "Wow!!" we thought, "we're finally on our way to a big adventure."

The roller coaster slowly began to move, and our hearts began to beat faster and faster. From the ground, the tracks did not seem to be very high, but when we got to the top of the first big descent, and I looked down, my heart was in my throat. It seemed as though we were much higher than I thought we would be, and that is when I started to have my doubts as to whether or not I had made a wise decision. Then we began our extremely fast descent down the track, and I am sure my heart stopped completely. Before I had a chance to be thoroughly scared from that descent, we began whirling around corners that took us out over the ocean. I just knew that we were not going to stay on that track. We were going much too fast. By the time we were a third of the way around the track, I was screaming for it to stop and let me out, which of course if didn't. I'm sure nobody even heard my screams. By the time the ride ended, I thought I had already died. I literally crawled out of the car on hands and knees.

I like excitement and adventure, but that experience was way too much excitement for me. That was the first and last time I ever rode on a roller coaster again. I am very content to stay on the ground or go on rides that travel much slower.

Good luck and have fun with your First and Last journal entry.