When we first arrived, we took a few minutes to review the map of the park and determine which rides and attractions we wanted to be sure to visit.
The log flume was one of the few rides we could all enjoy. Since it was a hot day and the signs warned that riders may get wet, the line was pretty long. We had to be creative to find ways to keep the boys entertained and patient as we waited. Fortunately, the long, boring wait was quickly forgotten as soon as we boarded the raft. Gavin loved getting splashed and frantically signed "more" at the end of the ride. Every time (and we rode it at least 5 times), when he realized we had to get off the raft and go through the line again, he'd cry and try to writher away from us so he could get back on the ride.
This year, Ryan was big enough to ride his first roller coaster. Ryan and Daddy rode the Trail Blazer at least 4 times and I joined him for one ride. I screamed like a lunatic and held his arm with a death grip during the high-speed plummets and curves. He giggled the entire ride! When we got off, I asked him if he was scared during his first ride and he said, "No, Mommy. I was with Daddy and I knew he wouldn't let anything bad happen to me!"
The boys also drove a blue and yellow race car...
a blue and yellow truck...
and flew a blue and yellow airplane. Apparently, blue and yellow are still Ryan's favorite colors! Gavin opted for the camouflage helicopter that looked most like the one Daddy flies in.
We had a late lunch since we weren't hungry after our blue raspberry and orange creamsicle Slurpee brunch! For dessert, Ryan had ice cream while the rest of us shared a chocolate funnel cake, sprinkled with chocolate chips and topped with powdered sugar and chocolate syrup! Come on, it was Hershey Park, how could we pass up a chocolate confection?! Unfortunately, we later discovered that, even in small amounts, chocolate is hard on Gavin's stomach (something he inherited from Mike).
Taking a break from the heat and the rides, we went to the sea lion show and got to sit in the splash zone! The boys were amazed at the tricks the sea lion could do. It put poor Guinness to shame!
Gavin and I did not join Ryan and Daddy on the Ferris Wheel. My paralyzing fear of heights prevents me from riding and it even made me wobbly in the knees watching Mike and Ryan ride it. In the picture below, you can see Gavin and me just to the right of the popcorn stand. (I'm wearing the white tank top and Gavin is in the stroller in front of me.)
Here is a view of the chocolate factory from atop the Ferris Wheel. This is where much of the famed Hershey chocolate is produced.
The water park looks like a lot of fun. Too bad we didn't have time to enjoy it this trip. Next year we'll have to build in a second day or skip the rides and do the water activities instead.
As the day started to wind down, we took a leisurely train ride through the park. Gavin was so excited to ride the train and on command would yell, "choo choo."
Before heading home, Ryan and Daddy rode the Trail Blazer two final times. They were excited because the lines were much shorter and they were able to sit in the seats in the first row for both rides. Since Gavin was too young for the roller coaster, we rode the carousel instead. He was so excited to be able to ride the "horsie" all by himself.
We returned to our car a little after 8 pm and still faced an hour and a half drive home, which made for a long, but exciting day for two tired little boys (and Mommy and Daddy, too!). Although we were exhausted, great memories were made!
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