Part Two of our Vacation: SeaWorld Aquatica

Last week, we wrapped up our time in Orlando with a quick trip to Aquatica. I only say quick because we were not able to go to the park until around 2pm, and we stayed until 6pm. While the park is only one year old, we had a blast on their rides, and some of the slides were crazy. They have an eight lane slide that is 300 foot long; it feels like your sledding down a mountain! We took our five year old on that one, and while I had to start him with a push, he enjoyed it:)!

Their kids area looks like something off of Nickelodeon with hundreds of fountains, squirters, bowls that fill up and splash down, etc. In this part, several slides are available for kids to go down. While we were there, we didn’t see a single height requirement except one requiring life jackets. They have a large beach with real sand in front of two gigantic wave pools, one kid friendly, and the other with bigger waves. One of the kids favorites was an upgraded version of the lazy river in which you float around without a tube, and the kids wear life jackets. They placed various obstructions and turns to create rapids that you race through periodically, and both of our kids had a ball!

If you get a chance to visit Aquatica, I say do it because it is well worth the trip, and you can do plenty even in a few hours:)…

Welcome to SeaWorld Aquatica

SeaWorld Vacation

I feel like I took vacation for the first time in a very long time last week, even though we were actually in the Orlando area on business...Thankfully, the business part was slightly endurable, mostly because it came to an end rather quickly, and soon enough for me to meet my family at SeaWorld. I can tell you the park is still alot of fun.

While the shows were packed, the rides were not, and we found a never ending supply of short lines, even for the best rides! Let me tell you something, the kids' areas are wonderful, with plenty of bright colors and nooks and crannies to explore. Our favorite, and the kids' too by the way, is the multilevel playhouse with cargo nets for floors. Because of the netting, you can see clear to the top and keep an eye on your kids while they play, and they have an endless supply of tunnels and ladders integrated into the complex.

The newest ride is called Manta, and it is a monster. I didn't see one person leave the ride with a dazed look on their face! As it starts out, you rotate upward in the car so that you actually face the ground. Going through loopdyloops like that is a crazy feeling, and your stomach feels like it just turned a hundred somersaults. Rounding out the day, we saw the Shamu Rocks show which provided live guitar performance as well as plenty of big splashes.

If you were not aware, these parks are owned by Anheuser Busch, and with their purchase by the Belgians, some things have changed. While the service and hospitality is still there, there are no more free beer samples, but I still highly recommend this place for family vacations!!

Inspiration for a Rainy Day

If you follow the link to USAA Magazine, you will find an article on page 6 about Capt. Sullenberger, and if you remember, he is the one who completed a successful landing of his jumbo jet on the Hudson River a few months back. Due to his skill and ability to remain calm under pressure, 155 people walked away from a crash landing who might otherwise not have had the chance.

Reflecting on his experience, and preparing to go back into the cockpit in the late spring, Capt Sullenberger had this to say,

Something about the zeitgeist, the time this happened in the history of civilization, brought some hope to the people around the world. People wanted to be reassured that even in these difficult times all the things we value are still there, that if you work hard and take your profession seriously then you can make your part of the world a little better.

What can I say but that he is an inspirational person and a consummate professional. One more thing, if I have to be on a plane, I’d much prefer to fly with this gentleman.

Living for the Moment, USAA Magazine

Floor Covering Gallery

Check out this site on the World Floor Covering Association's website that includes room scenes of floors of all types. They definitely have done a great job of representing all the choices available in today’s market. They are a great independent third party resource with no obligation to look through their site and collect design inspiration…

Floor Covering Gallery

National Wood Flooring Association - Design a Room

Have you ever wondered how different types of floors might look like before they are actually installed?? We get these questions all the time in our store, and tools such as this one give you that ability! I believe you can use this in much the same way that you can use a paint demonstrator like those available in paint stores. Pick a room and a floor and click the button to see how it appears. In fact, you can even compare two different species at a time through the side by side comparison.

If you are not familiar with the National Wood Flooring Association, they are a good resource because they are an independent third party, and they are recognized and respected nationally within the industry. They set the standards for the industry to ensure the customers and end users of wood products receive both quality and satisfaction.

National Wood Flooring Association - Design a Room