We have annual passes to Sea World and go out there quite a bit, usually after nap time when everyone else has had their full-day of fun and are heading home. That’s what we did yesterday. On the way there, we asked what the girls wanted to do. Ashlyn said she wanted to see the Shamu show, which we usually don’t do because…well it’s just so dang corny. It’s called “Believe” and it’s all about us being one with nature. They even bring a kid up front near the end. Of course he’s there to kiss Shamu, but instead they put a wooden whale tail around his neck, have him stand on a platform next to the pool, and then have him wave to everyone near the end of the show. Then we all go home. How stupid is that.
So, Ashlyn wanted to do that, and Emily wanted to see the “PoPo Bear”, which unlike the Shamu show, we have done ever single time we go to Sea World. The one time it was cool because we were the first ones there and the bear was right next to the glass. Emily literally tried to lick his paw. But, that was it. Every other time of the 132 times, the bear is asleep behind a fake block of ice and all we can see is his right nostril as long as you stand up against the wall and put your left cheek up against the glass.
That’s what we set out to do - Shamu show & PoPo Bear. I must say, the Shamu show was really cool. It started out with a Memorial Day tribute during which the Sea World staff asked all veterans to stand and be recognized. I actually teared up as I stood with Emily in my arms and heard a crowd of strangers applaud me and the other veterans in the crowd. I was actually embarrassed, knowing that I really gave so very little compared to those we were really supposed to be honoring, those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. But it was nice to see there are patriotic Americans who still do value military service, valor, and sacrifice for the sake of freedom, in an age when hippie pansies rule the day, the news, and probably our government soon. It was really cool for Sea World (and Anheuser Busch I might add) to do that.
Then the whales came out, and Ashlyn loved it. I made sure she saw me roll my eyes when they started talking about us all being one with nature - “That’s why we’re having chicken for dinner, Ash.” She smiled and I knew she thought it would be cool to see what Shamu tasted like, too. That’s my girl.
After that show, we headed over to Wild Arctic. Now, we have a little trick we do and I’m scared to death of being caught by the 19 year old seasonal worker guy who tells me I’m not supposed to go that way, but what we do is go through the thing backwards. I know it sounds risky, but it works. You go into the gift shop. I walk around and look at a few things like I’m shopping and scope out the exit. Anne couldn’t care less about getting caught, but she used to smoke in middle school, too. That’s just how she is. So anyway, we head into the hallway and go against the grain (also something I hate to do). My plan is to lie my butt off and tell them I left my daughter’s juice cup next to the walrus observatory, while pinching Emily to make her cry. I figure if she’s crying, they’ll just let me go.
It worked like a charm & I didn’t have to pinch anyone. The only hairy part came at the third turn in the hallway where there were two ladies sweeping the floor. Surely I thought they would see me go past and tell me I was going the wrong way, but then I thought there’s no way sweeper girls have the authority to say anything to anyone, except maybe “Are you done with that? or I’ll take that poopy diaper for you.”
We made it by them and were home free. Past the Walrus, past the Beluga Whales, and up to the PoPo Bear. Shoulder against the wall, face against the glass, and sure enough there was his black nose. It did get better, though he stood up and walked around and just before we got ready to leave, we saw this lady. No. It’s not a bathing suit top.
What is up with that? Of course she was European.
After Wild Arctic, we headed to the kids area and went on Sea World’s version of the Tea Cups and the Merry Go Round.
This lady just jumped in our car with us. Very weird.
Then after the rides, we decided to head to one more show, the ski show. We sat in the non-spalsh zone, but got soaked anyway. The show was a lot of fun, but the best part was the before show family game of I Spy during which Anne said she spied something “Red”. See if you can guess what it was.
He was European, too, but I’m pretty sure all sweaty men have that problem from time to time.
