(Birch Bay Water Park)
Today we decided to meet the Donaldsons and go tubing down the Nooksack River. It is reportedly a very gentle ride, but we are told of some deep parts in the channel where the occasional drowning occurs – mostly due to over-confidence and beer.
Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate; Acme was a breezy 68 degrees. The kids pleaded and the kids begged, hopeful I would re-think my parameters and deem it a “good enough-day”. They didn’t have a chance. The very idea of sitting in melted ice water for close to four hours when the sun was hiding behind a cloud and the ambient air was what I consider sweater weather wasn’t going to happen.
As a consolation, we decided to pack ourselves in the car and head for the water park in Birch Bay. I wasn’t sure why we were going to do this, as I didn’t think it was warm enough for a bathing suit period. But I heard screams of delight and gratitude, so off we went.
We pulled up to the modest water park, a stark contrast to “Hurricane Harbor” a giant glamorous water park. Instead, I heard amazement. Kimona couldn’t believe how many parking spaces there were and how few people.
(Henry and Sam don't even wait for tubes)
(Quinn & Phoebe head up with their tubes)
(Phoebe!)
(Phoebe loving it)
I watched for a while hesitant to get in the water.
“What about all the urine in the water?” I questioned Lisa.
“Oh, just keep your mouth shut and think about the chlorine.” She responded practically.
“Pee? People pee in the water?” Quinn was suddenly horrified by the thought.
Covered in goose bumps, I started for the top. Discourteous people splashed water on my back. Quinn laughed at me,” This is a water park Denise.” This did not mean manners should be left at the entrance.
I went up the steps listening to parents lie to their small gullible children.
“The water will feel warm.”
“You can shield yourself from the wind with your tube.”
“This is the coldest part.”
I knew none of this was true.
(The way up)
I got in my tube and as I suspected, the water was not warm. I zoomed down. Zipped around turns slid up walls having an incredible time. At the end, I was still cold, even colder but excited for the next run and the next. We went single, we went double, we went triple, we laughed, Quinn screamed and we even capsized.
(Me! with skin that has forgotten the sun)
(Lisa, Kimona and the Pheebe)
(Chris getting a talk on how not to capsize)
(Me and Quinn)
(Phoebe, Kimona and Lisa ride again)
One slide was completely dark.
(completely dark inside)
It reminded me of one of my very favorite rides, Space Mountain™ at Disneyland™. I endured the cold as we marched up to the top time after time, and then I didn’t mind the cold. Especially after I discovered the Henry and Sam lounging in the Jacuzzi. Naturally “Spa-boy” would seek out the creature comforts.
(The Spa boys - Henry and Sam)
