Busch Gardens

I had hoped to get to the park when it opened so we could do as much as possible until the kids got tired.  But the sour person from the day before caused a big scene at breakfast and I got most of the blame for him having such a lousy day the day before.  I finally had enough and left stating that I didn't have to take that and I wasn't in charge and I didn't want to be in charge.  I went out to the car with Kimberly and waited.  Finally after about 5-10 minutes Nettie joined me with the rest of the kids and about 10 minutes after that Ray finally joined me.  After another hour we were finally cooled down and ready to go.  By this time we would get there about an hour after the parked opened.  It was just about an hour drive over to it.  Then Ray's parents car wouldn't start. (We decided to take all three cars so if that person got tired again he could leave with his vehicle and no one was dependent on his car for a ride.)  None of the others had been to Busch Gardens and some weren't to thrilled about going since they thought it might not be so fun.  So Ray's other brother jumped it and it still wouldn't start.  Finally his dad realized that he had triggered the antitheft device, he reset it and it started right away.

Finally after almost two hour delay we were off.  Then we got on the freeway and no kidding there was three accidents and it took us 2 hours to go just over half the way.  We finally decided to pull off when we got to the third one and had lunch.  They decided to eat at a place that makes me sick so I barely ate any lunch.

We finally get to the park four hours after I had originally wanted us too.  We had just about 6 hours to see and do everything before they closed.  Ray's family love it.  Especially the sour puss from the day before.  Ray and him spent most of the time riding the rollar coasters.  I spent most of the time with the kids.  So did the rest of Ray's family.  We did go on the train but each station took so long that Kimberly got tired of that and it was a struggle to keep her on my lap.  We ran by the elephants and Ray, David, Nettie, Kimberly, and I did happen upon the tigers while we were trying to get to the log ride where Ray's parents and the two girls were waiting to go.  I had a little more fun than the day before but I really didn't get to go on any rides I wanted to and I didn't get to see the hippo again.  Maybe Ray and I will take the kids by ourselves.  Busch Gardens also has this awesome kid area (where we spent the last two hours) and I know I would like the kids to spend a little more time there since they didn't get to ride as many rides as they wanted.

Anyway here is some of the pictures from that day.

 The alligators are one of the first things visitors see when they enter the park.

 While their dad and uncle went off to ride the rollar coaster we went to the gorilla exhibit.

He was lying right by the glass.  It might be the same guy as last time (about 3 years ago) but last time we came one was right by the glass too. Kimberly actually saw him and was trying to point to him.  I tried to get a picture of her doing it but I couldn't get the right angle with all the people.

 On the trian we saw the white rhinos.  (I wanted to do the rhino rally ride where you get a little closer to them and some other animals.)

 The elephants are always a favorite.  Sheila wanted to see them but wasn't too happy with the smell.

 One of the beautiful white tigers.  They have redone the tiger exhibit and it is truly awesome.

 Here they have a popup where you climb up inside a glass enclosure.  This orange tiger was napping right next to it.

 Kimberly enjoying a snack while we took a break and waited for everyone to either get off the log ride or the roller coasters. I was little annoyed since I sat there for like 45 minutes by myself and I should have went and saw the hippo while I waited but it was all the way across the park and I was feeling that great at that moment.

 Grandma and the girls coming down the log ride.  Sheila hated it because she got wet.  As she came by the deck I was on she was crying and screaming and everyone was like laughing and saying, "Ah!"  Timmy later came down with Grandpa and Uncle David and he loved it.

 The kids got to meet Big Bird.  Timmy also met Elmo but I couldn't take pictures of that but had to buy them which I did since he loves Elmo but the photographer really didn't get the best pictures so I was a little disappointed.

 The kids rode some of the kiddie rides in the Sesame street part of the park.

I definitely would like to go back and maybe we will next month before it gets too terribly hot.  The kids had a blast so I was very happy about that..