A Weekend of Fun

For one of the kids' Christmas presents last year, my wife, Laura, bought season passes to Wild River Country. 

She has lived in Conway for over twelve years and yesterday was her first time to go to the water park.

On Saturday we loaded the car, including our baby's things. 

Of course, we also had the digital camera and camcorder. Then we made the quick, twenty-five mile trip to Little Rock.

Rachael, Terry, and Dylan played on all the water slides, while Laura, Brady and I hung out at the toddler play area.

Our one year-old, Brady, had a blast! 

He had absolutely no fear. He put his face in the water and blew bubbles, walked all over the Toddler Pool, and splashed around watching the other kids play.

 

After playing in the toddler area, Laura, Brady and I hopped in a tube and floated around in The Lazy River. It encircles the water park, showing off all the scenery. 

The ride was so relaxing, we ended up going a second time.

My wife and I were impressed with the beauty of the water park. All of the water parks we've been to previously have been located in the city and are made primarily of concrete and water slides. 

Wild River Country is located in a wooded area, with trees, wooden bridges and buildings that all blend in with the environment.

We then caught up with Dylan and went to a ride designed for little kids. 

Dylan, Brady and I got in line, while Laura stayed at the foot of the slide videotaping. 

However, we decided it was best for Brady not go down the slide, due to the fact the lifeguard wouldn't allow me to hold Brady while making the trip down. 

The lifeguard said our little man would have to sit in the front of the two-man tube by himself. 

While in line, I had noticed several two year-olds that were scared. So I figured Brady was too young for this water ride.

Before we left to go home, Rachael, Terry and Dylan asked my wife if she wanted to join them on a four-person tube and go down The Cyclone. 

She gleefully said, "Yeah! Let's go!"

Wisdom doesn't always come with age.

She thought it would be a fun little ride, like all the other water slides she has been on. She has also been on roller coasters, jet skis and motorcycles, and has always thought of herself as a bit of a daredevil. 

Well, some people have to find out things the hard way.

While Brady and I watched from the bottom of the ride, Laura got in the tube. 

After the rest of the kids were settled in their seats, the lifeguard gave a big push and they were off!

That's when the fun ended - and the terror began.

My wife later remarked she could not remember the last time she had been so scared. 

They rode through a dark tunnel and we were flying fast. I could hear her screaming, "I'm scared! I'm scared! I'm scared!" 

During the ride she closed her eyes, held on tight and screamed her head off. She thought, "I'm going to have a heart attack!"

The kids had a great time laughing at her, of course. Even though it wasn't funny at the time, she was laughing about it later. 

She did make it known, however, she would never ride The Cyclone again.

We went back to Wild River Country again the next day and stayed for a couple of hours. We met with my brother-in-law, Jeff, and his family. Again, we had a great time.

It's going to be a summer of fun. Our family can just feel it. But stay away from The Cyclone!