We took a real vacation this year albeit the travel was not a great distance. We packed up and went to Williamsburg, Va. It's a three-pronged vacation place that includes Busch Gardens amusement park, Water Country, USA and Colonial Williamsburg itself. We had mixed reactions to the Busch Gardens leg although the fireworks display while on a boat cruise was a nice capper to the evening. Lauren and I only went on one monster coaster, the Alpengeist, and she had her eyes closed the whole time but we rode several smaller rides.

The water park was a huge hit. There's a "river" that you're able to float in with a current that carries you along for 1500 yards of fountains and various other splashy things. You put on a life vest and just float along for as many trips as you like with no waiting. The kids loved it. We did a few tubing/rafting/toboggan rides and saw a diving show.

The third leg was a tour of the city and museums and art galleries and other sites with an 18th century feel. All transportation was provided and meals were superb when we went to restaurants that had colonial menus. The kids insisted on pizza one night which really bummed me out but whattya gonna do. Lauren's favorite memory was getting a souvenir tricorn hat. My favorite was the expression on Olivia's face after our sixth trip around the river circuit and her joyfully signing to me "more".


Five Replies to Vacation 2010

Jackie Mason | August 12, 2010
[hidden by author request]

Steve West | August 12, 2010
I got what's called a "bounce pass" for each of us which gives you full access to all three attractions for a full week. I didn't stop to see William and Mary stuff but saw things from the bus. Not enough time for everything, I'm afraid.

Jackie Mason | August 13, 2010
[hidden by author request]

Scott Hardie | August 15, 2010
Sounds like a good trip. It's been forever since I was there.

It's nice for a theme park "ride" to allow you to just stay on endlessly without the need to get back in line, because a lot of kids need to ride certain attractions many times.

I bet the founding fathers would have loved pizza. There would be mozzarella stains all over the declaration of independence. Ben Franklin would have taken all of that moderation talk back if he tried some stuffed crust meat lovers.

Amy Austin | August 15, 2010
Lol...

It's been forever since I was there, too. Especially since I've never been.


Web Junkie

Steve West scours the Web searching for interest or absurdity and then shakes his head ruefully when he finds it. Read more »

Spain in a Week

We're back in the USA after a week in Spain with layovers in Paris and Amsterdam. Barcelona and Madrid were incredible. We saw more things than my brain could catalogue and looking at the pictures we took I find myself repeating, "Where in hell were we when I shot this?" Go »

Shaken And Stirred Too For Good Measure

Semi-bizarre gallery devoted to people shaking their faces, having any loose skin flop around, and photographing the results. Go »

Father's Day Memories

One of the greatest gifts I ever received was on my twelfth birthday. My Dad gave me a small box with a note inside. It read, “Son, this year I will give you 365 hours, an hour every day after dinner. Go »

Homecoming

Brenda and I went to closing for our new house today. Everything went smoothly and an hour and a half later I left with the keys in my pocket. We're moving this weekend so I'll be a little scarce here. Go »

Christmas Post #16: A Hillbilly Christmas

My father was born and raised in North Carolina. Throughout my childhood we would make the summer trek to my Granny and Grandpaw's house in the middle of the state. Many a summer night passed listening to roosters (they crow all friggin' night), the occasional gator grunt, and my hillbilly cousins fart and scratch while playing cards. Go »

Barbie Gets Implants

In the early ‘90’s, I heard a stand-up routine by Cathy Ladman in which she was buying a Barbie doll as a birthday present for her niece. She’s looking at the doll displays and her eye catches a “Gift-Giving Ken”. She says, I really don’t think this is gonna prepare her for adult relationships. Go »