Wildebeest Point-of-View

Last weekend we went to Holiday World and to visit everyone. Jackson was so excited to ride the new Wildebeest ride. It is a rollercoaster/waterslide combo, I guess. We waited in line for probably an HOUR to ride this thing. Yes, you read that right. I still cannot believe I waited so long. There were hundreds of sweaty, stinky people in bathing suits with various parts of their bodies hanging out their suits as they appeared unaware...or just didn't care. Probably the latter. And it was HOT, HOT, HOT out. I complained plenty. Jackson never had one complaint. He waited so patiently.

I told Tom that this would be my mom's hell on earth. It was kind of funny to imagine her standing there, first of all, in a bathing suit (NOT), then being in such close quarters with sweaty people (NOT) and most of all, waiting in a line for ANY amount of time to ride any kind of amusement ride. I am my mother's daughter, because it was not my idea of fun either.

Anyway, once we finally got up to the front and it was our turn to ride, then I started getting a little scared. Tom got up in the front, Jackson got in the middle and I got in the back of the raft. I wrapped my legs around Jackson's waist so he wouldn't be going anywhere, much less breathing easy for at least the length of the ride. Then here we go. Once the raft made its way up the hydraulic lift thingy, we were at the top. Then the raft started flying and we were going so fast that my body physically would leave the raft, and so I'd scream. I think I screamed most of the way down. As soon as I told myself I wouldn't scream any more...I'd scream! As soon as I got my eyes cleared away from the spray I'd just had...I'd get sprayed again. I felt blind going down a waterfall!

Here's what we experienced, without the sound of me screaming, of course:

We spent most of our time in the waterpark part, Splashin' Safari. We got there around 9:30 and didn't leave until 6:30. It was one long day! Jackson really loves the waterpark part and I'm sure next year he'll want to do even MORE there, things I wouldn't let him do this time. And I'm sure he'll want to ride the Wildebeest again, but next time, I think I'll sit under an umbrella and have an ice cream.

I took some really cute pictures of Jackson while we were in Jasper, but I'm too tired to upload them right now. I'll do that for Monday. Have a great weekend!