We went to the land of killer whales, roller coasters, and the $8.00 turkey sandwich. And lived to tell the tale.

Of course, I don’t have any pictures, yet; I left the digital camera back where it was dry, and if I can remember how to have film developed I should have something for y’all by Christmas.

Nobody got sunburned, everybody walked both days, the kids seemed to really enjoy it (and I include my wife in that group), and we can’t wait to go back.

More random observations after the jump:

• military people in San Antonio drive like college students with better salaries.
• Thanks to McDonalds, we had three shreks competing to say “I’m an OGRE, *burp*” for miles and miles.
• Overheard: “She’s always pregnant, and she has great hair!”
• We wuz robbed!
• And not just by the prices ($3.00 for a coke, $4.25 for a few strawberries in a cup, $10.00 to park your car. $5.00 for a locker) but by some asshat that took our cash from our bag which we foolishly left under a tree so we could ride the log ride.
• They wouldn’t let us tap on the glass, so I have no idea if the penguins can dance. I have failed my research assignment.
• I like to think they needed it more than we did, but if they could afford $50.00 to get in the door, and they were at Sea World on Mother’s Day to begin with, they’ll probably just spend it on crap.
• If you believe the posters in the restroom, C World is all about conserving and saving the world and recycling and all that. No mention of the many thousands of people who drove hundreds of miles just to get here, or how much water they use per hour.
• It’s more than a little sad the number of folks in wheelchairs. I certainly wouldn’t mind a bit if Uncle Sam was subsidizing their visits (don’t know if they do or now) since getting shot up someplace isn’t exactly a picnic.
• The hotel was nice, and I contained my laughter when they offered $30 off if we’d take a room with only one bed (instead of the two queens). Heh.
• They have a new Atlantis ride, and if I was a cynical bastard I might just think it was to sell tons of $5 plastic swords. I might even say the same thing about the new killer whale necklace that is part of the “multimedia event.” But I’m not and I won’t.
• Gas prices went up 7 cents a gallon overnight.
• I drank a large coffee so I would stay awake for the drive home and I didn’t turn into a pumpkin.
• A woman with a tattoo above her butt that said “Boobies” pushing a stroller with multiple kids in it gave me a chuckle.
• “Mom, we didn’t see the hippos!”
  “Yes, we did, they are called belugas.”
• When you tell my kids that it’s a “splash zone” and they don’t get splashed, I’m going to hear about it for the rest of the day. “It says ‘splash zone’ right here on our seats!”
• Ride operators don’t want to make eye contact with you.
• There is a big difference between the front seat and the back seat on the Great White ride.
• Ouch.
• It’s good to be home.

A Fwingo, if you’ve made it this far, is a Flamingo. Duh.