The End of a Legend

[the_vulture]

Evel Knievel is dead.  

I won't go into his amazing history of death defying acts; you can find that easily on the net, especially if I point the way to places such as this: http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/last -ride-for-man-of-steel-and-scars/2007/12 /01/1196394688218.html 

What I am going to go into is a bit of a reflection. Now, Evel hadn't crossed my mind in years, but finding out about his death brought back memories for me.  

I've never seen any of his stunts performed, either live or even recorded. Heck, I've never been to ANY stunt show. I do recall, though, as a child, knowing EXACTLY who Evel Knievel was. I recall looking forward to, when visiting a particular cousin, playing with the Evel Knievel stunt cycle set he owned (and it was well cool!). I remember seeing bits of footage on TV about his failed attempt to cross the Snake River Canyon and the talk that went on amongst the older kids when it happened. I remember hearing the rumours that he had broken every bone his body.  

I never witnessed any of the acts that made him a legend, but he was, for me as a child, just that: a legend. 

And with the passing of this legend, somehow the world seems to have lost a small portion of its magic. 

Evel, that was one hell of a ride.