There’s a large, prestine park near my parents’ home, so after a delicious breakfast at Huckleberrys, we all took a walk with Grandma and Papa to exert some energy and enjoy a little more bonding time.
Then we were off to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo. It used to be Marine World, and is an aquarium, zoo and theme-park. If you go, buy your tickets online. Adults pay kids’ rate. It’s also worth the extra $5 for premium parking reducing your trek to the entrance.
It’s impossible to cover all that ground in one afternoon, so we stuck to the zoo and kiddie rides.
Lunch was ridiculously expensive. The “special” at the Beachside Burger Shack was four burgers, four fries and four sodas for $44.
Tom and I had guacamole burgers, and with the kids’ chicken baskets, our total came to around $50.
A highlight of the day was watching this young adult tiger eating meat treats in his very own swimming pool.
After five hours, we were more than happy to return to our hotel and crash in our beds. Tom got up to retrieve us a pizza from the restaurant next door. Food tastes so much better when you are completely exhausted.
We slept soundly, and awoke to a beautiful morning for travel. Our flight was scheduled for noon, so after packing and checking out, we met Mom and Dad at my brother’s house to say our good byes. I hope we don’t let another three years pass before our next visit.
• Do you pay the exorbitant dining rates at amusement parks?
• Aquarium, zoo, or theme park ~ which is your favorite?
• Can you identify the animal in the bottom row of the Rides & Zoo collage?
To view our youngest daughter’s fondest memories of the trip, visit my guest post at The Mama Mary Show.
Comment By: Carla
October 23rd, 2010 at 10:38 am
Now that is cool..the cat and his pool!! Awesome pics Jean as always and looks like you all had a wonderful vacation! Thanks for sharing!
Comment By: Jean
October 23rd, 2010 at 10:51 am
I loved seeing that cat swimming! It was amazing. Thank you so much, Carla!
Comment By: Marian
October 23rd, 2010 at 11:38 am
Wonderful pictures! It looks like you had a great time! Your little girls are so beautiful!
Comment By: Jean
October 23rd, 2010 at 8:29 pm
Thank you, Marian! I want to take the girls to Tilden Park some day. I’d get so nostalgic. And Tom has never been to S.F., so another trip is in our future.
Would love to meet you if we make it over your way. 🙂
Comment By: Sherri
October 24th, 2010 at 7:11 am
Jean, great photos as always. I’m glad you all enjoyed your vacation. Your hubby always takes great funny photos. He plays along so nicely.
Sadly, yes I do pay the expensive touristy prices at theme parks. This girl gotta eat, and so do the kids! The last theme park I was at was this past Febuary when I met up with my daughter and sister’s family in Orlando and went to Universal. I absolutely loved it. The weather could have cooperated a bit more, but maybe the rain kept the other tourists away, and allowed us to get on the rides quicker. We also bought one of those passes that allow you to line jump!
I wanted to say the animal was a Wombat, but I googled what one looked like and that’s not it. Cute lil bugger! I’ve seen that animal before, but honestly have no clue what it is. Do tell.
Comment By: Jean
October 24th, 2010 at 7:27 am
Good morning, Sherri! Yep, hubby is a character, or a kook as we like to call each other. LOL!
I gotta eat too, big price tag or not. You won’t find me hoofing it back to the car to pull sandwiches out of a cooler.
That’s awesome that you went to Orlando with your daughter and sisters! That had to have been a blast, rain or not. Ooooh, line jump passes! I saw those here, but the girls are still a bit young for that expense. 🙂
I will tell you. That animal is a sloth in rehab. Cute!
Comment By: Sherri
October 24th, 2010 at 9:47 am
Ohhhhhh, the Sloth…I should have known…that’s what I’m being today!
Comment By: Sunny Wishes She Were Shopping
October 24th, 2010 at 10:17 am
FUN!!! You always do the best blogs. Makes me wish we could’ve stayed longer. But, that would have brought lunch to $75 – LOL!
Comment By: Jean
October 24th, 2010 at 11:14 am
I would have gladly paid the extra $25 for your lunch! 😀
Comment By: classycareergirl
October 24th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Thanks for commenting on my blog. I featured your response on my blog today.
http://www.classycareergirl.com/2010/10/how-to-unwind-after-busy-week-part-2.html
Comment By: Jean
October 24th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
How utterly cool! Thank you!
Comment By: Kristen
October 24th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
That looks like such a fun time. I agree, watching that tiger would be fascinating.
Comment By: Jean
October 24th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Thanks, Kristen. I didn’t realize tigers like to get wet. Heck, I’d probably jump in a pool for a really good steak!
Comment By: Sedate Me
October 25th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
I shy away from theme parks. Too many people and too much bullshit.
The last time I was at Universal, I saw a fight break out in front of the Back To The Future ride as two groups bickered in the hour-plus line in the blistering heat. A couple of punches were thrown, but security just happened to be standing there at the time, so a Jerry Springer episode was averted.
In general, I’d recommend not trying to save money by eating the “cheap” junk food that costs more than it tastes and pay the extra to eat at the “premium” restaurants some parks have. The food is better and there are far more options.
Overall, I’d have to say the best dining experience I’ve had at any amusement park was the German Pavilion at EPCOT. It’s a surprisingly authentic all-you-can eat German Beer Hall buffet (complete with Polka band). It’s staffed almost entirely by pretty German fraulines who bring you German beer in pitcher-sized mugs. Paradise!
I had to be carried out in a stretcher.
Comment By: Jean
October 25th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
That German Pavilion sounds worth the trip!
Comment By: Sedate Me
October 29th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
It was the only part I enjoyed. Nothing but overpriced shit and families yelling at each other. Fuck, I hate being around people!
More than that, two (yeah TWO!) rides broke down while I was on them. Ellen’s World of Energy and the Nemo ride, where I was trapped in a chair for 30-45 minutes listening to “Hey, Nemo over here! ” on a tape loop. I know they could have turned off the sound but they left it on so they could watch me suffer on hidden camera.
Nemo? More like Gitmo! I wanted to drown myself and take that fucking clown-fish with me!
Coincidentally, I can’t even stand the sight of Ellen anymore. (And not just because that bitch has been dipping into my dating pool!)
Comment By: Tammy
October 25th, 2010 at 9:16 pm
Very cute pictures! Theme parks are so much fun!
I guessed the animal in the collage was a sloth, and then I scrolled through your comments to find the answer. 😉
We were recently in D.C., and ate at a museum cafe. We paid $42 for 2 sandwiches, 1 salad to share, 1 hotdog, 1 bag of chips and 3 drinks. UGH! I hated to pay it, but we were STARVING!
Glad you had a nice visit with your family.
Comment By: Jean
October 26th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Holy cow, $42 @ a museum cafe?! That is spendy, but I too will fork over the dough when I’m starving.
Thanks, Tammy! I noticed you posted a new blog. I’ll be right over.
Comment By: gareth
October 25th, 2010 at 11:45 pm
The animal is a frog, right ??
I have no preference in parks, mind you Thomas the Tank engine land at Drayton Manor Theme park was very good for our daughter !!
Comment By: Jean
October 26th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
LOL @ your answer, Gareth.
Seriously? There’s a Thomas The Tank Engine Land? That’s cool!
Comment By: gareth
October 26th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
Oh yes, but before you get too excited, it is only 1 part of the theme park, so it isn’t quite as large as you first think, but yes, it exists. !
Comment By: starla
October 26th, 2010 at 8:14 am
Look like such a fun trip. Nice to get together with family. Thanks for sharing the pictures with us. It’s amazing how expensive tourist food can be yikes!
Comment By: Jean
October 26th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Thank you, Starla.
I had heard amusement parks charged high rates for food. Guess I never paid attention until I saw this “special”. ::: gasp! :::
Comment By: Arts web show
October 26th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
That tiger looks like it was having fun and those burgers.
Even for amazing burgers that is expensive.
Sounds like you ad a lot of fun though
Comment By: Jean
October 27th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Hi Art. I think that tiger WAS having fun.
How go the episodes? You’re so entertaining.
Comment By: Diva
October 26th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
Looks like an awesome day! I’m glad you stopped by to say hello…I’ve been running ragged lately.
Comment By: Jean
October 27th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Hi Diva. Thanks for the return visit. I hope you get a break soon. {{hugs}}
Comment By: Lisa
October 27th, 2010 at 7:20 am
Theme parks are notorious for pricey junk food. We got slammed at Disney World last spring. Even at our little local water park over the summer, chicken fingers and fries and a soda cost ~20 bucks. It’s insane.
That little chubby is cute, tho I have no idea what he is. And I love the pictures of the Tiger swimming! Very nice!
Comment By: Jean
October 27th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
It is insane, Lisa, you’re right!
The lil’ furry guy is a sloth. He was in recovery, all wrapped in a towel. Super cute.
Thanks for stopping by, girlfriend!
Comment By: Helena
October 27th, 2010 at 10:13 am
Whoa, those tiger pictures are AWESOME.
Comment By: Jean
October 27th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Hi Helena – I was amazed by the tiger! I was filming him on my Flip, and looked over at hubby who wasn’t even snapping pics! Duh, hubby, get on the ball! A frickin’ tiger is SWIMMING!
Comment By: Harriet
October 27th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Wow your holiday looks fabulous! I love the picture of the tigers especially, what magnificent pictures!
Comment By: Jean
October 27th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Thank you, Harriet!
I accidentally deleted your comment on The Mama Mary Show’s guest post. 🙁 My apologies!
Comment By: Angelia Sims
October 28th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Oh fun!!! I love the tiger pics. They are so cute.
Gee those amusement parks get ya on the prices. I have paid many, many times. My husband when he was 16 worked at Six Flags in one of the burger restaurants. He says he knows the secret sauce. LOL.
Comment By: Jean
October 28th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Thanks, Angelia! There was a beautiful white tiger there too, but it wasn’t swimming.
Oooooh… the secret sauce! I love secrets! 😀
Comment By: natalie
October 28th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
god i want that burger in my mouth right now.
Comment By: Jean
October 28th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Natalie, that burger was so damned good.
I really appreciate you stopping by because when I returned the visit, I was completely enamored of your blog!
Comment By: purplehatter
October 28th, 2010 at 11:40 pm
Looks like you have been having a great time!
Comment By: Jean
November 1st, 2010 at 5:05 am
Thank you, PH. All is good here. I hope all is well with you too!
Comment By: Jason
October 29th, 2010 at 12:12 am
That burger does look nice! I could really do with one here right now!
I do find that theme parks do charge too much for food. The price you said you paid sounded like daylight robbery!
I like the like the picture of the cat swimming and the sloth looks so sleepy all snuggled up like that!
Looks like you had a fantastic trip!
Comment By: Jean
November 1st, 2010 at 5:07 am
Hi Jason – How are you doing? Given more thought to producing a vlog?
We probably wouldn’t have minded the daylight robbery feast so much if they had offered beer.
Thanks much for the compliments.
Comment By: Jason
November 2nd, 2010 at 12:54 am
Hi Jean,
I’m still very tempted to do one, although aiming to put it around the topic of what foods to buy and avoid – I had some horrible chlli the the other day!
Now beer with themre park food sounds a good idea – you should suggest it!
Comment By: Pop
October 29th, 2010 at 5:07 am
Jean! You and your family take the best vacations! Can I stowaway on the next one? 😛
$44 for all that is a bargain! I think last time I went to an amusement park, I spent $16 for a dry burger, soggy fries, and a souvenir cup. So we usually just eat outside of the park and come back in.
I’m going to guess sloth.
Comment By: Jean
November 1st, 2010 at 5:08 am
Oh, Pop, you can stow away with us! Not sure where/when our next destination is.
You do make it seem like our delish meal was a bargain. Thanks!
Comment By: Gary
November 1st, 2010 at 9:19 am
It looks like you guys are all having an awesome time on vacation!! Those photos are awesome and makes me want to visit Discovery Kingdom. If we ever do make it there, we will be packing our own lunch cause $50 for burgers and fries should be illegal!
Comment By: Jean
November 2nd, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Discovery Kingdom – is that in Florida, Gary? Beware the giant crocs!
Ya, $50 bucks is insane for lunch.
Thanks for the compliments. Vacation was a blast!
Comment By: sweetiegirlz
November 2nd, 2010 at 8:01 pm
Yah! what a great time!! I’m so jealous :0) makes me want a vacation right now!
Comment By: Jean
November 2nd, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Thanks, Sweetiegirlz! I hope you get a vacation stat!
Comment By: Mama Mary
November 2nd, 2010 at 8:51 pm
This looks like so much fun!!! Also, I need to know how you do your photos like that!
Comment By: Jean
November 2nd, 2010 at 9:46 pm
Thanks, Mary!
Go to photobucket (dot) com, upload pics, and create collages. Easy!
(I had to create the tiger one in photoshop though.)
I so love your Mama Drama episode! ♥
Comment By: Traci
July 26th, 2011 at 10:48 am
Once again I love your pics. That Huckleberry’s seems really cool. I try not to spend too much money on food at theme parks unless I absolutely have to. I usually bring snacks. It’s so disappointing to spend so much money on burgers. My sister has two kids and they don’t do the big theme parks as often as I do but when they do, they go all out and spend money.