Flying Machine

Flying Machine, originally uploaded by cieuxautres.

February 9, 2008 40/366

SkyGirl--channeling Bono, apparently--and her cousin riding DaVinci's Flying Machines at the Renaissance Fair. Yes, this place can be hokey. And the corollary to my bestselling coffee table book, "Beautiful People Do Not Go to Theme Parks," would be "Less-than-Beautiful People Like to Dress in Corsets and Pantaloons." But, I really like this festival. Maybe it's that the rides are all human powered. Maybe it's the excellent craftsmanship in the costumes, tools, and leather bound journals (which I can't resist buying). Or maybe it's the really good beer.

This year I was most impressed with the joust, which in previous years always looked very staged, but this year, the knights seemed to be actually competing and the speed of the horses was certainly not faked. Even if it was pre-programmed, three knights on galloping horseback, each carrying an 9 foot lance, and spearing a ring tossed in mid air still ranks as an bit of skill.