From King’s Dominique to Senior Year: A Road Trip Through Time

Some road trips become legendary in a family’s story—the kind you retell so many times that the laughter feels just as fresh as the first time. One of my most treasured road trips was in 2013 when we took my daughter to King’s Dominion for the first time to celebrate her kindergarten graduation. Even at five years old, she was a thrill-seeker, drawn to roller coasters and fast rides, completely unfazed by the height and speed that would send most kids her age running. We planned a whole weekend around this milestone, eager to make memories. But nothing could have prepared us for the moment when we pulled up to the park entrance and she proudly read the sign—except she didn’t read King’s Dominion. With complete confidence, she announced, “King’s Dominique!” That was it. From that moment forward, King’s Dominion was officially rebranded in our household as King’s Dominique. We laughed so hard, and every time we’ve mentioned the park since, we’ve only ever called it that. A Tradition of Thrills and Memories That weekend was just the beginning. My fearless little girl took on every roller coaster she could, her tiny hands gripping the safety bars, eyes wide with excitement. We stuffed ourselves with funnel cakes, lemonade, and fries, played carnival games, and made memories in the summer heat that would last forever. And now, as I sit here reflecting, it feels even more poignant—because this year, she’s graduating from high school. Since that first trip to King’s Dominique, we’ve traveled across the country chasing the next thrill, making stops at some of the most iconic amusement parks along the way. From King’s Island and Cedar Point to Dorney Park, Six Flags America, and Hershey Park, we have turned roller coasters into a shared language, a tradition that has shaped our family’s adventures. The Ride of a Lifetime This journey has been about more than just amusement parks—it’s been about watching my daughter grow into the person she is today. The same little girl who fearlessly rode her first big roller coaster at five years old is now about to take on the biggest adventure yet: adulthood. And just like every ride she’s ever braved, I know she’ll take on this next chapter with that same fearless spirit. Looking back, I realize that our road trips were never just about the rides. They were about the joy of experiencing something new together, the inside jokes that only our family understands, and the magic of seeing my daughter’s excitement grow with every new park we visited. This summer, as we celebrate her graduation, we might just have to take one more trip—to King’s Dominique—for old times’ sake. Because some traditions are just too good to leave behind.