Tell your kids you're taking them to Florida, and they'll look forward to Disney World, Universal, Busch Gardens and the beach.  Take them over St. Petersburg's Thrill Hill, and that's probably what they'll be talking about on the ride home.

Since 1931 (or is it 1926?), automobiles have been zipping up and over a steep but short bridge along 3rd Street in St. Petersburg.  Back in the earliest days, trolley cars did, too.  In fact, that's how the bridge gained its name.  The incline was such a challenge for the railcars that they didn't always make it over, and when they did, the passengers were thrilled.

As you approach the bridge, you don't receive much warning.  A road sign advises 25 miles per hour is the safe speed (10 miles below the speed limit). 

On the other side (headed north), the only warning is the word SLOW painted in bold letters on the pavement, just as you begin to climb uphill.  It seems like I can recall, at one time, there was a flashing yellow light above the road, on a wire.  I guess that drew too much attention.

So why does Thrill Hill exist in the first place? The bridge serves a purpose: it crosses Salt Creek, and was built to be high enough to allow small boats to pass underneath.  Nowadays though, that seems almost pointless, since just one block away, 4th street crosses the creek with a flat overpass, leaving no room for nautical traffic.

It's really quite amazing that Thrill Hill is still around.  The city could have easily declared it a safety hazard, knocked it down, and built a level bridge.  St. Petersburg deserves a lot of credit for keeping, and even improving, the old bridge.  In 2002, it widened the structure, to allow plenty of room for pedestrians (or even a police car) on either side or the road.  And in early 2006, there was talk of beautifying the bridge with panels of artwork and several lampposts.  (Note the beautiful panels of artwork have been added)

How fast should you travel over Thrill Hill?  Well, 25, of course, since that's what the sign says.  At that speed you should receive a small thrill.  Increase to 35 and your stomach will briefly be separated from your body.  At 40 or higher, you'd better hope your car's suspension is in good shape.

I used to go over this bridge as a kid.  The school bus I rode used to go this way sometimes when we were dropping kids off from Glenn Oak Elementary School.    The really cool thing was when you sat in the very back of the bus you would actually be launch from your seat and your head would come very close to hitting the roof of the bus.