The Family That Plays Together

The boys and I spent last week in Wisconsin Dells with my parents and my brother's family. In case you haven't heard of it, the Dells (as they are called around here) are famous as the Waterpark Capital of the World. Yes, you have to capitalize it. About an hour northwest of Madison, Wisconsin, the Dells have been a regional tourist attraction since the 19th century thanks to the efforts of a local photographer, H.H. Bennet. You may be more familiar with the story of nearby Lake Delton, the lake that disappeared into the Wisconsin river last summer after record rainfalls caused the lake break its banks. The breach was fixed in record time so that Lake Delton could be refilled by the start of the summer season so crucial to the local economy.

This is the Trojan Horse go-kart track at Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park. Yes, the track goes through the horse. In the background, you can see the roller coaster Hades. Named after the Greek god of the underworld, this roller coaster actually starts inside the park, goes under the parking lot (in the dark) and comes up by road you see here. Personally, I find the whole underground in the dark at almost seventy miles an hour pretty scary. I did it once, but wouldn't do it again.

The park has a half dozen large go-kart tracks. There's even one called Poseidon that goes under a man made pond. Get it? Poseidon, god of the sea? Here's Brendan driving for all he's worth. He had to hug the steering wheel to reach the gas pedal, but he out drove me on at least one occasion. The last time we were here was the summer before Tim got sick the first time. Brendan was too short to drive these cars, so he and Daddy drove together.

Yes, this is Grandma driving a go-kart. The boys and I drove every track at least once. The boys even went back to the park with their uncle for Park in the Dark and drove go-karts and rode roller coasters until 1:30 in the morning!

Speaking of their uncle, here he is on the swing ride with his daughter, Erin. The park had a number of rides that were just the right size for my niece. She even went on her first roller coaster ride. Her mom said that she would have ridden the little roller coaster all afternoon if she didn't like the lazy river in the water park almost as well.

I don't have a water proof camera, so this picture of the bumper boats is the only picture of the water park end of our vacation. I actually ran into friends from Chicago on the lazy river! The park had wave pool that offered a nine-foot tidal wave. Grandpa took some pictures that he assures me are of Theo and Brendan, but all I see is foaming water so I haven't included them here.

Here's a picture of Grandpa and Theo on an Original Wisconsin Duck. We took an hour Duck ride through the forest, onto the Wisconsin River, up the creek, across the road, into Lake Delton with a big splash and back through the forest to our starting point right across from the go-karts. Ducks were originally WWII amphibious landing vehicles. They are now amphibious tourist traps.

All in all, it was a great way to end the summer. We were hot and covered in sticky sunscreen except when we were in the water park and then we were wet and cold. Now we're back in town and getting ready for school, which starts next week. Hope your end of summer is just as good.