SeaWorld Reflections

Temperatures are already in the 80s and 90s everyday. It's important to have a place close by to get cool since all the pools don't open until after Memorial Day (crazy, right? I mean, it's hot NOW!). So SeaWorld is a good option. Josh's brother and his family have season passes so we have been there twice. There's definitely a lot of good things about SeaWorld.

Like the flamingos. They are fun to see. And fun to act like them too.


And the beluga whales that push their trainers on their noses. That's cool.


And the wave pool. Can't beat that. It even has a clock to tell you when the waves will start and stop. This is us with Levi and McKenzie.


And McKenzie under water at the wave pool.


The other things in the lagoon area are nice too, like this big bucket that fills up and dumps on everyone.


As well as the water tube slides. This is McKenzie.


This is her brother, Troy.


Josh and Chase with the flamingos.


Josh with Jake and his boys, Chase, Logan, and Tanner, getting ready for the Shamu show. Another great part of SeaWorld.


And Shamu, I mean, isn't this the best?


And behind me is the mom whale with her new baby whale. The baby tried to do all the tricks with its mom. It seriously made me start to cry it was so cute.


But there were other reasons I was getting a little weepy at SeaWorld. I'm slightly embarassed, but it's true.


The thing is, seeing these animlas is amazing. I mean, I sometimes am torn about how I feel about places like SeaWorld and zoos and things. I mean, I am more for animals to be free in the habitats nature intended for them. At the same time, I feel that by having some animals kept in captivity people can learn so much more about them and will hopefully care more about these creatures because they had intimate experiences with them. In this way, I hope these places educate people to save our planet and everything on it. It's the same way I feel about National Parks and such. And I think (and hope...I need to research this more) now a lot more animals in zoos are born in captivity. This sits better with me knowing they are a "trapped" compared to their wild family members. I can also understand if a species is endangered, and then I can see why we as humans want to step in to save such creatures. And in the end, I do like seeing the whales and how fun and loving and magnificent they are. But it's hard, and I guess I get a little emotional and teary-eyed because...


...I also got to see them like this. And it was one of the most beautiful and majestic things I have ever seen in my life so far. Truly.