A staycation (or stay-cation, or stacation) is a period of time in which an individual or family stays at home and relaxes at home or takes day trips from their home to area attractions. Staycations have achieved high popularity in current hard economic times in which unemployment levels and gas prices are high.
Common activities of a staycation include use of the backyard pool, visits to local parks and museums, and attendance at local festivals.
Last week I took a couple of days vacation and did a STAYCATION with my nieces. There are a lot of pictures, so I've broken things down into 3 parts, one for each day's activities.
The first day (Monday) we went to the Brookfield Zoo. I haven't been there in a few years, and there were some changes. No more Reptile House, they moved those creatures into three other houses. A new addition is Sharks at Stingray Bay, but we did not see it. (Niece K had gone there on a field trip and didn't recommend it.)
They charge extra for their special attractions and we opted for an upgraded ticket which allows you to choose three. We picked the dolphin show, the children's zoo and the safari ride.
The zoo was a pleasant experience. We had a beautiful weather day. It was a lot of walking, so I'm glad we saved the Safari Ride for the end of the day.
After a visit at my parent's home, we headed to a Holiday Inn in Elmhust where they had a water park. It was a nice little deal for a one night stay that included the park for 4 and kids ate free for dinner and breakfast at their restaurant. The room was nice, with a balcony overlooking the water park.
The girls loved the water park even though it was a bit small. I'm going to share my water park story, hoping it would be therapeutic to relive it. Being the unaquatic person that I am, I did enjoy some swimming and floated down the lazy river. Niece E talked me into trying the water slide, she loved it. I've never done one before and was a little afraid. But I've always been big on talking up "conquering your fears" to the girls, so I wanted to set a good example. The first slide ride was frightening, but it was on a tube and didn't feel too crazy.
Going down the second slide was the most physically frightening thing I have ever done! Niece E went first, and on her way down she yelled something up to me, but I couldn't hear her. I sat down at the top of what I now call the "SLIDE OF TERROR" and got up my courage to push myself into the unknown. I was without the comfort of sitting on a tube. Just me and the water and the darkness and the fast speed and the crazy winding, never ending ride. I thought I was going to meet my maker! After what seemed like an eternity, I was spilled into the water, getting submerged without expecting too, (glasses on) having the water shoot up my nose into my lunges. I emerged coughing and sputtering and must have been quite the site. Turns out E shouted up "PLUG YOUR NOSE!!". Sigh. At least I did it, conquered that water slide fear, restarted my heart and moved on to the safety of the lounge chairs, content in watching the girls at play. So go ahead, call me a land lover, that's what I am.
Here are some pictures from day 1:
We learned the zoo was opened in 1934.
The first wild animals I encounted.
It will be interesting to compare these photos to next year's.
Petting the goats named Diamond and Emerald at the Children's Zoo
Making new friends.
The dolphin show.
You oughta be an otter.
What a wonderful weather day, especially for the middle of August.
This polar bear seemed unhappy, he kept pacing.
But the brown bear had fun swimming on his back.
The elephant didn't have much to say.
The rhino seemed shy.
Beautiful bird.
What a fun day!
Dinner out is always an adventure.
The Water Park
Down the lazy river.
HI
K tried so hard to make a basket, she just didn't have the strength!
The dreaded SLIDE OF TERROR
Next up...Staycation part 2.
2 comments:
Looks like you all had a good time
Looks like you all had a good time
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