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Seaworld Riverwalk Redux

Seaworld

Our last full day was spent at Seaworld San Antonio. We had a very good time, but our visit was the result of a major planning error. We had intended to visit Six Flags over Texas, where Cameron had eagerly anticipated riding many terrifying roller coasters, but we discovered only at the last minute that Six Flags was not open during weekdays, when we had planned to go.* Fortunately, not only was Seaworld open on Friday, but it had two very large roller coasters. So "Cameron's day" was salvaged.

In fact, with either Amy, Jan, or both as companions, Cameron rode the awesome Steel Eel [right] and foot-dangling, ski-lift style Great White [left—Cameron is gleeful; Amy is terrorized] 13 times! Each involved terrifying drops from great heights, stomach wrenching corkscrews, and disorienting loops at no less than 50 mph; Amy just about lost her voice from screaming.

Except for the chilly penguin encounter, we didn't visit any of the park's animal exhibits (we've seen them in San Diego), but we did go to all four available shows: "Fools with Tools," a comedy act involving sea lions and a river otter; "Rockin' Ski Party," a water skiing exhibition; "Viva!" a white whale and dolphin show with the creative look of Cirque de Soleil [right]; and "Shamu Visions," with Shamu and other killer whale friends.

Except for the lame water skiing, the shows were outstanding, more entertaining, innovative, and beautiful than the ones we've seen in San Diego.

We also rode the wet Texas Splashdown once; it had a long line, but in general the crowds were not bad at all.

All in all, it was a very fun day.

*Since February Cameron had memorized the specifications of all the Six Flags roller coasters. We'd read the Six Flags web site in March, before the park opened, and although it had suggested that visitors come during the week to avoid crowds, it had not posted specific opening times. Unfortunately, we didn't check back until Sunday evening in San Antonio to find that Six Flags was open only on weekends until the end of May! Being used to amusement parks in California and Florida (and given what the web site did say), it had never occurred to us that Six Flags would be closed during the week! In all of Cameron's 10 years, rarely, if ever, had Amy caused him so much disappointment. Amy felt devastated, but Cameron handled the letdown stoically and dry-eyed—better than many adults would have. Major lesson: double check these things!

Riverwalk Redux

Our last dinner was at The Spaghetti Warehouse in downtown San Antonio, much like The Spaghetti Factory in Seattle. The Italian food was average, but the 19th-century atmosphere was a fun, the service was friendly and efficient, and it was a good choice for family dining.

We'd hoped to take an evening stroll along the Riverwalk [right], but the city's annual Fiesta! celebration had begun, and we couldn't find a parking spot. As we drove around the city, we saw many revelers walking the streets.

Our last night was spent at the San Antonio Inn and Suites in Elmendorf, south of San Antonio (a last-minute booking as a result of our vacation rearrangement). Sam and Margaret Salyer, general managers for the recently renovated and reopened motel, were friendly and hospitable, greeting all their guests in the breakfast room with English accents and parental care. Although the motel was technically outside the city, our morning drive to downtown and the airport took only 10 minutes.

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