Holiday World

Yes, we are still alive and well. We've just been busy. Most recently we spent the weekend at Holiday World, which was loads of fun, although sometimes it reminded me of some sort of Twilight Zone episode (I think I read too many creepy SciFi short stories when I was young -- seeing the lines of people constantly filing into the Pepsi Oases was just sort of unnerving, like they were getting their hit of Soylent Green or something).

We spent most of our time in the Splashin' Safari waterpark, riding rides, jumping waves in the wave pool (which is a salt water pool, and the absolute perfect temperature) and generally hanging out in whatever shade we could find. Oh, and also noting the vast number of bizarre tattoos, which sort of became a game to see who could spot the weirdest, most disturbing (in all fairness I should mention that Rick also spotted the most attractive one he's ever seen -- it helped that the person it was on was in excellent shape and had extremely healthy skin tone under the tat).

After the water park closed we headed to the other rides, such as the Raging Rapids (the 2nd night the kids did it on their own and I managed to get a snapshot). The sign that says "You Will Get Wet" is true, by the way.



Also, the swings, during which most people seemed to develop zombie eyes according to these photos (aaaagh -- it's the Soylent Green they've been eating, I tell you!)






Also, the Raven -- no picture because I rode it and they take away all loose stuff so it doesn't go flying into the wild blue yonder or maybe the lake (it goes over water in the first curve) -- although the kids tried to go back for a 3rd ride which I planned to sit out for the sake of a photo, but the line had closed. But it's a blast, believe me.




I also loved the Wildebeest, but wasn't sure it was worth waiting in line over an hour. I thought they should put me in charge of deciding who gets to ride (I could channel my inner Sue Sylvester for the task), which would really cut down on the length of the line.


What they say on their website is true -- the place is amazingly clean. And the employees are all clean cut and polite. Well, except for the lifeguards who were arguing at the top of one of the rides -- the girl turned to Thalia and Annabeth and matter-of-factly stated, "If you meet a guy named Ben, don't listen to what he says -- he's really stupid." (I wanted Thalia to ask various male lifeguards on other rides if their name was Ben, but she kept refusing -- go figure.)

Definitely worth the trip, and we plan to go back.