As our vacation started to wind down, we repeated days at Busch Gardens and SeaWorld, and had one last day at “home” before hitting the road Friday evening.

Wednesday, we went back to Busch Gardens. 

This ride is called Cheetah Hunt.  It launches you from 0 to 30 in two seconds as it launches you out of the station.  It later does a launch to 60 mph.  It is a very long ride that runs the expanse of the park and is designed to make you feel like a cheetah hunting for food. 

They were testing Falcon’s Fury which was behind schedule for opening.  (I’m rather grateful…)  It drops you to the ground as a falcon diving for food. 

We watched veterinary surgery on an African bird. 

Traveling the world animal and ice skating show.  You had to see it.  It was pretty cool. 

John showing the kids how injection molding works.

Thursday we went back to SeaWorld.  The weather was spotty.  It was our only day to really contend with the weather.  (A bit on Wednesday).  We also had to deal with the dreaded… SCHOOL GROUPS.  I’m so glad we had been there on a quieter day, Sunday. 

It was really windy. 

A habitat for injured pelicans.

She almost climbed out of the stroller trying to get to the bird!  She LOVED animals!!!!

Petting and feeding sting rays.

We also did a super cool 3D, 360 degree movie called Turtle Trek.  We followed a turtle through it’s life span in about 4 minutes…

 

A BEAUTIFUL dolphin and diving show.  It was one of those things that you can’t capture pictures to do it justice. 

We went back to Antarctica to see Puck and his friends. 

and here’s PUCK!

The threat of thunderstorms and the spotty rain really messed with our touring.  We did get to do a bunch of the smaller rides.

Friday we stayed at the house. 

I took a nap from 12:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. so I could help with driving in the later hours of the night.  We left around 5:00 P.M. on Friday which is a ridiculously foolish time to leave any southern city.  It took ForEvER to get out of Florida.  And it took a FULL 24-hours to get home.  Far worse time that we made on the way home.  But it was a super good vacation, even if I was ready to chew off my arm by the time I got to West Virginia.  😉