Water Park

Let's see... where do I start? I've got a lot of things on my mind...

First of all, I have to say, I am so thankful to all the inspiration and support I got when I first started this new eating plan. If it weren't for the mental and emotional push I got from a certain family member, I would never have devised this little plan for myself, and I would not be where I am today. Thanks to my very special sister... you gave me the spark!! Love you. :-)

Secondly, I want to tell you about my water park experience last night. I haven't been to our water park in about 5 years, and that's mostly because I wasn't comfortable in a swimsuit. I refused to go and be one of those self-conscious parents that can't interact with their kids because they can't bear to wear a bathing suit. So instead, I just avoided the place altogether.

But when Bunna came home with the news that his employer was closing the water park for a private party, the timing couldn't have been better! Seventy-seven pounds lighter, and ready to play on the water slides! I had enough time to do some shopping, and found not one but TWO new suits that are both perfect for water slides! Both very modest tank/shorts styles.

So last night, we took off after work for the 8-11 pm party. We were all so excited to get out on such a hot day! The weather couldn't have been better! It was about 100 during the day, and only dropped to around 80 by the time we got to the park.

Going on all the slides as fast as we could was our main goal! We rode group raft slides, and 2-man slides and floated on the Endless River. We body surfed in the Wave Pool, and defied gravity on the Avalanche! And with almost no lines, we were able to actually run up the stairs! That's the best way to burn calories! Racing for first place in the line!

My absolute favorite ride is one they call Viper's Vortex. They put this one in a couple years ago, so this was my first time on it! What a rush! Imagine a big toilet bowl, with a slide entering the bowl on the inside edge, and a drain in the middle. You ride a raft full speed down a dark, steep slide and shoot out into the bowl. The challenge is to see how many times you can circle the bowl before it sucks you into the drain and you shoot out into the wading pool below. My son and I managed to make it 3 times around! Awesome!

The other raft rides were also new to me, but the rules were familiar. "Heaviest in the back". But this time on this visit to the park, I was not the heaviest. As a matter of fact, I was the lightest! Granted, Bunna and I are virtually the same weight, him being only about 4-5 lbs heavier than me. And my son, who is taller than both of us at 6'1", weighs about 30 lbs more. So on all the rides where I used to be the one facing forward, suddenly now I have to be the one going backwards! That made for a whole new experience!

But overall, it was a fantastic time! Being the huge, mega-fan of the TV show "WIPEOUT!", I couldn't help but re-name all the slides.

"Mammoth Canyon" is now "Sucker Punch" because I think I got a foot to the face when we banked up one of the tunnel walls. "Avalanche" is now "Big Balls" because that's what it takes to get up the nerve to go on that one!

And of course, "Viper's Vortex" is now the "Spin Cycle".

The water park is, in my book, the happiest place on earth. There's nothing better than spending time with your family, screaming and laughing, and truly having fun! And I'm so sorry I missed out on it for so long.

Look out, Roaring Springs! I'm back! ...how much is a season pass??