Flying Dutchman Ghostly Gangplank

Sometimes the best of plans have a way of falling through.  Such was my plan to hit the waterpark hotel Thursday night to avoid the crowds.  Everything went smoothly as we loaded the car and drove the short distance to begin our night of fun.  As I was checking in, the clerk casually said, "You realize the water park isn't open, correct."  "What????"  "The water park is only open on the weekends."

My thoughts went something like this . . . . Oh NOOOOOO!  We've looked forward to this all month.  This is our only open time slot because of basketball.  We HAVE to do this - it's our tradition.  Ach - I've prepaid for the privilege of sleeping at this hotel in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do because thee only reason we come here is for the water park.

I wasn't happy.  The clerk knew I wasn't happy but couldn't do anything for me until I asked for a comment card . . . which she couldn't find.  I told her not to bother, I would complain online to the national hotel site.  She decided it would be wise to find her manager.  He was very helpful and went above and beyond.  He refunded our non-refundable charge AND gave us a coupon for 50% off our next stay (which we'll use in March after basketball ends).

If someone had snapped a picture of us leaving our house, they would have seen six happy, excited people.  Those same six people returned less than an hour later quite dejected.  While I was in the hotel taking care of our new arrangements, David adamantly told the kids that this was not Mom's fault and to buck up and be positive or there would be consequences.  I really appreciated that.  I did not sleep well that night.  I felt bad for wasting one of David's vacation days and worried about how we would spend Friday.  David and I got up early to brainstorm - ran several ideas past the kids - and as a family decided to try the Flying Dutchman.  The kids and David loved it and the day was saved.  I tried really hard, but in the end could not conquer my fear of heights so after suffering up there for an hour, the family let me return to the safe, solid ground to take pictures :).  And for those thinking I'm a total wimp, I just want to point out that looking down makes it seems much higher than when one is looking up from the safe, solid ground AND these pictures were all taken of the first level - there are three additional, even scarier levels above what you see.