Our vacation journey first led us to Tampa where we enjoyed a day at Busch Gardens compliments of Anheiser-Busch. We take advantage of their free military offer every year, usually going to Sea World. However, to break up the monotony we decided to visit the Gardens instead.
Upon arriving in Tampa we checked into our hotel, got settled, and had hoped to visit the pool but the story weather outside interfered with our plans. Instead of swimming we went to the local (ghetto) Wal-Mart for some items we'd forgotten to get prior to leaving home. We also grabbed some frozen, microwavable dinners to eat that night.
The rain never let up so our evening was spent in the hotel room, lounging around, and finding Mr. Been's Holiday Vacation on TV. I promise you, I have never seen a dumber movie than that one. I apologize if any of you love this film, but I couldn't stand it one single bit. It was as stupid as stupid can be.
The next morning we shuttled ourselves over to Busch Gardens and found the first ride of the day for our amusement park loving selves. James and Morgan rode a wooden roller coaster twice while I took Bethany to a tamer ride made for her age group. Then Morgan found me and asked if I'd like to ride the coaster with her. I oblighed while James stayed with Beth on the kid stuff.
I was quickly reminded that I don't like roller coasters when just a few seconds into this ride it stole my hat! Yep, it surely did! My blue ball cap was seized by the Gwazi gods to meet the same fate that James's Bubba Gump ball cap met a couple years ago by the Disney Splash Mountain gnomes.
So what does a girl with very thinning hair in the bright Florida sun do? Well, first she checks out the nearest souvenier stand for suitable replacement hats but finds that spending over $20 on a ballcap that she doesn't even really like won't do. Then she asks her dear hubby if he'd allow her to wear his for the day as he doesn't really have to worry about hat hair, thanks to the ever present flattop military cut he sports. Good and decent fellow that he is, he surrenders his hat to his bride and goes without for the whole day. Big time points scored on that one!
The rest of the day had us riding this and that, seeking shelter during this rainstorm and that, looking at this critter and that, and James drinking a little of this free beer and then that. It was a good family fun day.
After shuttling back to the hotel we went right next door to McAlister's Deli for a quick bite to eat before turning in for the night. We really enjoyed our quick meal and don't know why we've never tried this restaurant before as we do have one in our town. We'll definitely have to hit them up again sometime as they hit the spot for quick sandwiches.
The next morning was bright and sunny so we finally let the girls swim in the hotel pool for a little while before hitting the road for Miami. It was a great energy release for them before the upcoming 5 hour drive. The drive wasn't bad except for the heebie-jeebies I had the entire stretch of Alligator Alley, of which one alligator was spotted by none other than yours truly, the reptile-o-phobe that I am!
Finally, I'll end this post tonight with a picture of Bethany beside a statue of a Clydesdale at Busch Gardens in honor of the truly American beer company that will soon be no more. May they rest in Dutch peace....
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