Thirty years later, I finally made it to Sea World!  (Dad, you’ll never live that one down!)

It was worth the wait.

We rode roller coasters, real ones that twist and go upside down, we fed manta rays,

we cried over Shamu and the dolphins (again), and then found ourselves whisked away into an underground dreamland that was unimaginably cool.  Seriously, it was COLD!  Stalactites, icicles, snowdrifts,

and at the end,

Real Penguins!!

There were flamingos and sea lions, and we knew where everything was thanks to our nagivator.  He’s pretty good at maps.

Even with the lightening strikes and the torrential thunderstorm, we had a great time.

The best part about where we were staying so close to the parks was that going home was easy.  We still had time to hang out at the hotel pool, shoot the water canons, and enjoy a refined Happy Hour of gin, mini corn dogs, and baked mozarella sticks.  We also grilled some killer burgers!  Mmm, America on vacation.  But it is actually the company, not the food, that makes this place so magical.  Anywhere on vacation with this crew would be the best.  Thank you Mimi and Dede!  We will always remember this!