Tag Archives: Martha’s Vineyard

My choice for action series are photos of the Flying Horses Carousel in the town of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard.

And they’re off…. whooosh

Home stretch…

The Flying Horses are the oldest platform carousel in the United States. It was made in 1876 by early American carousel manufacturer, Charles Dare. The Flying Horses Carousel was originally built for the Coney Island amusement park in Brooklyn. In 1884 after eight years there the Flying Horses Carousel moved to the town of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard where it still remains in operation as one of only two surviving carousels fabricated by Dare. The carousel became a National Historic Landmark in 1986, the same year it was acquired by local conservation organization the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust.

There are two ring dispenser arms situated next to the carousel that offer gold rings and the lucky rider who grabs the coveted brass ring gets a free ride. I flew on these beautiful horses every day when I was a little girl.

The last time I flew on the Flying Horses a few years ago my granddaughter Tiffany was with me.  I thought it might be my last time ever to ride them (I think that every time anyway)… and as my horse came around to the arm shooting the rings out I could see that the next one, the one waiting for me was the GOLD ring.  What a fantastic way to possibly end my Flying Horses ride…

 But I missed it … my fingers slipped and I couldn’t grab it.  But… right behind me was my granddaughter and she got it.  She offered me the free ride but it meant more to me that she should have it.  Perfect ending, if indeed it was.

https://nowathome.wordpress.com/2020/09/13/a-photo-a-week-challenge-action-in-series/