So Jessi had just basically told me that I was ruining their trip by rushing them, and worse, Grumpy had agreed.
She actually managed to make me feel guilty. Was I really ruining the trip ?? I decided, no more planning today. No more looking at maps and schedule. Either we make it or we don't.
We missed the Seymoure & Clyde show. I didn't say a thing. When Jessi asked what we were going to do now, I said "whatever you want".
Now she wanted to know which show we could go to. Now she wanted me to look at the schedules.
"I think we can make the Believe show if we leave now and walk fast. But we don't have to. Whatever you guys want."
We made it, with only a few minutes to spare. I had decided not to plan anymore, but I also decided I would walk at MY pace. Jess walks so slow, if I tried to go as slow as her my feet'd hurt like hell. So I told them I'd go along and wait for them by the stadium.
Most of the good seats were taken but we find some all the way to the top & right. Not the best seats but then again we're gonna be looking at a WHALE. Kinda hard to miss, ya know?
Grumpy & I seat in an empty row, making sure there's enough space for the four of us. Jessi walks by us, Alex in tow, and they go seat two rows away from us. "It's better for pictures."
Whatever. I want to enjoy the show. I love all the shows at SeaWorld, but this one, omigod, tearjerker. I think it's the music. The "Salute to heroes" does it for me every time (you don't have to support the war to respect and be thankful for all the men and women who fight for others' freedom), and it's very hard for me to keep from crying during the scene with the little boy and the whale at the beginning.
Shamu's pretty impressive, but I'd rather take the trainer home to my bathtub.
After this we left for our tour. It was a small group of maybe 12, including one guy who was carrying a HUGE stuffed Shamu. It was hilarious because he kept bumping into stuff with it.
The tour starts slow, with some visiting of the backstage areas and the guide explaining us how they care for the animals, etc.... did you know that Seaworld makes all of the salt water used in the park ?
We then went to visit a polar bear. It was a bit sad. The bear was in a rather small (for a bear) room with glass windows. Apparently there was another smaller bear in the next room and it was bugging him big time because he kept going around the room backwards growling at it. Jess was impressed, but I didn't much care for that part of the tour. That bear should have been on some iceberg somewhere, not in a dark smallish room in Florida.
Then after some more walking and backstage-area-looking we went to see the penguins. That's the highlight of the Polar Expedition Tour, you get to touch a penguin !!
The girl holding the penguin, Tiara (that's the name of the penguin not the girl) explained to us that they are prone to project urine when they think they're being attacked, so we were not to stand right behind the animal.
Good to know !!!
We all got in line and waited our turn to pat Tiara softly on her back with two fingers. She felt very soft, and very scared. She buried her head in the trainer's lap, it was too cute. When it was my turn I made sure to touch her very softly and told her not to be scared. Poor baby !!!
We were allowed to stay with the penguins, take pics and ask the trainer some questions. I mostly took pics. The penguins had just been fed and were very sleepy.
The tour lasted about an hour. Something to know if you intend to do it - DON'T plan it at 1pm in the middle of April. The heat was brutal. A good part of it is outside, I had no hat or sunglasses and you're on your feet the whole time.
When we came out of there, I had to admit even I was exhausted. We wanted to find a quiet area to sit and relax for a while. Seaworld is not Epcot - finding a place to sit isn't that easy. I walked ahead again, found some place near a shop. While I waited, because I still felt guilty about rushing them, I went in the shop and bought Jess & Alex a stuffed polar bear and a stuffed penguin.
Ten minutes later and still no Grumpy or sister. I know she walks slow, but not THAT slow. So I walked back to where I came from, hoping to find them on the way. Nope. My cell rang and Jess was tellig me they were at the "fair" area of the park, trying to win a big stuffed Shamu.
If you've never been to SeaWorld, they have that tacky Dinoland-ish kiddie area where you can play games and win stuff.
They also have characters in there, which is something I wasn't aware of.
I had just found Grumpy, the place was packed, and I didn't even notice there were people taking their pictures with a character. Or the character.
"GAAAAAAAAAH !!!!!!!!!!!!"
That's the noise I make when a 6ft tall Shamu gets in my way.
Mickey Mouse I'm used to. Princesses are still scary, but not that bad. Stuffed whale walking around ? Frea-ky!
Grumpy & I went searching for Jessi and Alex. We finally found them sitting in an area close to the water. Jess had her shoes off. We knew something was up.
"I think we're going to have to go back to the hotel. I have a blister."
I'm an old Chardon girl so you're making me sentimental too!
WHO KNEW ?????????
I'm *enjoying* (somehow that just doesn't seem like the right word!!) your TR, as always. 
Our trip is coming up (soon!) and my sister and I have already warned my family that if they can't keep up, we're leaving them! 
I totally agree!
What the ...........(heck)? August is cooler........I think your sister is nuts! 
(which can get so freak'n humid)
