Spring Break: Busch Gardens

 Carrie had a surprise planned for Friday.

Shane hadn't known.

Our passes were still active from when we went with Chris and Genevieve.

It looked like it was going to be a crowded day. There were multiple school bands going on their spring trip (It was written on their shirts!). 

The reality was much calmer. We started off in a press as everyone wanted to try the newest rollercoaster, Pantheon. I wanted to go there first thing, because I figured it would only get more crowded as the day went on.

There was a line....and Pantheon was shut down. For an undisclosed amount of time.

We audibled and went to Apollo's Chariot instead. There was next to no line and we were seated in minutes!

The rest of the day followed suit! If there was a crowd, it stayed at Pantheon all day. We avoided it and picked our favorite roller coasters to ride instead (Quantity can be a quality all on it's own!)

Carrie and I are more aware of certain Roman fixtures now.

"I wonder how many times I've walked by without even noticing," Carrie said. We notice now!

Shane had thought we were going to a barn somewhere, so it was only fitting Carrie get a ride in. She had me take pictures, so she could text back to her hunt club.

But other than one twirl around the merry-go-round, the real riding of the day was roller coaster after roller coaster after roller coaster!

Carrie played her "legs up" game to get in a small workout and show off a little.

The longest line of the day was Invader. By amusement park standards it barely counted as a line.

Shane and I rode that one together while Carrie sat out. 

Shane and I have the same favorite: The Gryphon. The front row is the best, but we never sit in it because the line is always at least 3 times longer for it. 

We struck out on seeing the wolves (again). I can't remember if I've ever seen them in person.

By lunch time we'd already ridden more roller coasters than I could've hoped for pre-COVID.

I got some family pictures while we were in line for The Loch Ness Monster.

I didn't have long. We walked to the front cars, because there was no one there.

We only did one 'ride' as a family that wasn't a roller coaster: The Cable Car. We were hungry and it was more fun than walking back! We got to see the Clydesdales for Carrie, too.

We ate at the Smokehouse this time.

Shane claimed he was full!

But he hoped back up for another rollercoaster! 

By that time, it was looking like rain. There was an occasional sprinkle and Carrie was getting anxious to leave. Shane didn't want to yet, so I bargained for us to go on Apollo's Chariot again. Carrie hung back and handed Shane a surprise when we got off!

She'd won it at a game while waiting for us.

Eevee made Shane more willing to leave (He wouldn't let her go!).

We only spent half a day at Busch Gardens, but we had enough action to be satisfied. We headed back to Grandma and Grandpa's afterward to pack up and collect Bucket. I was excited that Shane might make it to Goalie Practice, but Carrie used her vacation veto. 

We got home around 8 PM. Loki was ecstatic. He didn't understand where we'd gone! Laura and Amy had already done evening chores and headed out soon after. Loki would have preferred if everyone had stayed so there would have been a bunch of humans, oh boy!

It felt good to be home. We hadn't been gone long enough for me to miss it too much yet, but Spring Break felt like a success. We'd seen family, had fun, made memories, and avoided the usual grind. Tomorrow there would be barn chores and a soccer game....but no school!