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Enjoy your stay Thanx for visiting |
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Enjoy your stay Thanx for visiting |
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~ Water Parks ~
There is no better way to endure a hot summer's day. Some people may enjoy a local public pool and others have the luxury of a neighbour with a backyard pool who doesn't mind "sharing" their big outdoor bathtub. Then there are those adventure-seeking families who drive to the "Mecca" of water phenomenon and spend a day at a water amusement park. These parks have advanced the simple pleasures of wading and swimming to new heights (or new depths if you prefer). These parks do things with water that can only be believed by experiencing them first-hand. You'll never want to go back to a regular swimming pool again (well maybe reluctantly) once you have been to one of these water parks.
Wave pools are definitely a major attraction at any water park. You can literally spend hours in these big bathtubs and never get bored. The tidal waves that are generated in these pools are quite impressive considering they are made by artificial baffles. They do rival the real thing that you would find on any ocean beach. The only difference is that these waves are chlorinated and clean and you don't have to contend with dead fish and seaweed brushing your legs. The only thing touching your legs in a wave pool are the arms and legs from all the kids trying to crash through the same wave that you are about to dive through. It is an acquired wave pool skill jockeying for exactly the right position where a wave will crest. You just have to be careful about colliding with an inner tube.
Riding a wave pool with an inner tube is definitely one of the better ways to thoroughly enjoy this water experience. All you have to do is sit in the inner tube and let the waves gently toss you around. The rocking motion is very relaxing. Crashing through the waves is definitely an experience and it is not uncommon to see more empty inner tubes (due to capsizing) than occupied ones. Wave pools are also great for body-surfing. You can try this with an inner tube or without, depending on your swimming prowess and your ability to dodge 4 to 5 children trying to compete for the same wave. Granted the experience isn't quite the same as open water surf but it is fun just the same.
For those less daring it is still quite nice to just sit at the pool's edge (the concrete beach) and let the surf gently lap up against your legs while you stretch out. Some of the smaller children seem to enjoy this experience more than actually getting totally wet. You wonder sometimes whether these kids think there are seashells on the bottom (they do look every once in awhile and put their hands in the water after seeing something). It does remind you of the ocean.
Whoever invented the concept of the "lazy river" was a brilliant person and must have been a parent (an exhausted one looking for some relief). Lazy rivers are the perfect answer for anyone looking for a great way to unwind from stress. These "rivers" require no effort what-so-ever and they carry you along for a good 15 to 20 minutes in this make-shift artificial stream that has a very slow-moving current. Everyone has their own "pillow" (a comfy inner tube). The river is so tranquil and seductive that you can't help but close your eyes from time to time. I have seen many an adult fast asleep in their inner tube not knowing that a water jet is about to douse them with a deluge of water (yeah they can be cruel in their own way). The problem with this venue is that you may want to do the circuit a few times because it feels so good. You can whittle away most of an afternoon and not even be aware of the time passing by. Make sure you tell someone where you are going so they can fetch you later.
Water slides are another "must" for any water park. I prefer to think of these slides as your basic water roller coaster (not as intense mind you). Slides have the unique sensation of being slippery and fast but totally safe and predictable. The trick to water slides is body aerodynamics. If you sit-up you will go slow. If you lie down and point your feet, you will go fast (and I mean fast). You can pick-up so much speed sometimes that you may have to sit-up just to slow yourself down before the next turn. Some of the ramps and bumps on these slides catch you off-guard and you pick-up speed very quickly. The one thing about slides is that they are over in no time. You just seem to get the hang of the water and the speed and "boom" you're already at the bottom... in the wading pool. The only thing you can do is ride the slide again. It certainly isn't enough to do these slides just once. There is too much research that has to be done.
If none of these things interest you, there is always worshipping the sun and relaxing on a towel while working on a tan. There is a lot to be said about the soothing warmth of the sun's rays. For many people it is enough to get wet every once in awhile and enjoy some serious snoozing or reading a book. Water parks can cater to everyone as long as they feel comfortable in a swimsuit. My only problem is I get "waterlogged" after about 4 hours in a water park. I think that sometimes I am too much of a big kid....
Pure and simple...
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- This Storyworx page updated May 10th, 1998 -