Relative to Hang Gliding & Sky Diving; this Swimming w/ Dolphins Bucket Activity #3; was a "Quiet" adventure that everyone could participate in! Grand-daughter Deirdre (a Dolphin Trainer @ the Baltimore aquarium) took on the challenge of creating this memorable day for everyone at Marine Land Aquarium in St Augustine, Fla! Dee, your thoughtful preparation for a great multi-level experience of painting, wading & swimming was evident throughout the day in the faces of the 25 family & friends who came to play! Mom's words for her dolphin bucket were "delightfully refreshing!"... "I have never spent so much time doing so many FUN things w/ a dolphin! Who knew that dolphins could be so friendly?!?"
Where's the dare-devil stunt in this event?? Super Susie did NOT disappoint! She entered the aquarium in her wheelchair & the pool on the arms of her sons, Mike & Tom. HOWEVER, Susie ended her day, riding the dolphin! First holding on one-handed to the Dorsal Fin then carried on the Belly of the dolphin up the pool (smiling & waving all the way)! What a woman, what a life & what a way to go!!
QUESTION... If a dolphin has an IQ similar to that of a dog; Does the dolphin training staff have anything to do w/ the dolphin's personality?
ANSWER... If our dolphins were any indication; then we'd say "YES", the trainer's personality IS reflected in the Dolphins behavior! Each of the 13 dolphins were so engaging & entertaining!!
Chad, your team of trainers are so fun-loving & playful... Just like your Dolphins!
The pure Celebration of Life in this Bucket Weekend were seen in the gleeful faces of its participants......
The pure Celebration of Life in this Bucket Weekend were seen in the gleeful faces of its participants......
* Jack Harrington, as he got to see the unborn dolphin calf in its mothers' belly, or..
* Jr Trainer, Fredrick Lilywhite, was the feeding Chubby "fish mints" & giving wave commands for dolphin flip tricks
* Nadia/Maria Losito giggled as the 16 month baby, Axil, kept "nose nudging" them under the water! you can say you have officially been "goosed" by a dolphin!
* Alex, Heidi & Jessica Weeks were so satisfied after "making-out" w/ their Dolphins! Chubby says he'll meet you @ the pool-side bar for a "quickie" later! Land shark!
* Tracy was that your side flipper fin popping out of your wet suit? Or Warning... mammary pontoon!!!
* Michelle L-> Dolphin Alvin is spreading the rumor that you kiss like a fish! LoL!
* Kirk, thank you for sharing your "bevy of Weeks beauties" with us! Being w/ Family is so awesome! They need to start a Bucket List for you! We'll come!!
* Chris W the dolphin wanted to paint your hot pink foot cast! Tho' it's tougher to hang on your wall! & YES, those 2 dolphins were Begging you to come in & play!
* Lisabet!! we saw your gold earring on dolphin Wilma's left fin... Wilma said she'd flip YOU for it!
* Super Susie's kids; Mike, Tom, & Ouisie... entered the water w/ Mom... Older son John, stayed on the side-line to blow the whistle @ the dolphins who were running on the pavement! No Running! Only Wheelin'!
* Meg! Your son STILL wants to know when the Aliens are going to return his Mother
* Ann W. never fails! Up every morning making/baking pancakes & cookies... Mmmm... The Fat Farm will be MY last Bucket! How many did u make on this Bucket? 100?
* Shannon, we MISSED you so much! Grandy & all others were so impressed that you stayed focused on your PSATs & playing in your Varsity Soccer game instead of swimming w/ Dolphins!!
* Cara & Eileen ... Thank u for making this trip! Having u guys on this Bucket made Mom "flip for joy"!
* Wait!!! Who were those 2 hot looking guys? Why it's Kyle & Paul! Nor'Easter Storms couldn't hold them from this Bucket!! they arrived in the middle of nite Friday & left 24hrs later!! But R we glad you were there!!
* Has anyone seen JL & Charlie...?? Time to leave the Lilywhite museum & go home! Norman has called 3x's! Thank u Jack/Lisabet... For absolutely everything!
* Dan/Deb Ignatuk... Thank you for joining us! Your dinner suggestion of Atlantic Grill... Was PERFECT!!
* Chris & Kate Rowe... This was such a gentle activity. We Missed you!
* Jeff Shoenfaber we are so glad you didn't call in sick! But we missed you!!
* Christa & Chad... Our senior trainers! Thank You ever so much for being "so chill" in accommodating everyone's special needs!
Medically Speaking:
We are in month 4 of her prognosis of 6-9months to live. Mom still feels "great" tho' she's losing her appetite, & gets constipated. She still struggles to breathe (hence the wheelchair). This week she will go through a 3hr Atomic Stress Test to better discern whether it is heart or cancer that is leaving her so breathless upon exertion. We say, whatever it is... Fix it! 'Cuz we are headed for Sedona & Grand Canyon in 6 weeks, over Thanksgiving! Hope to see you there! Thank you all for praying for us! It's your thoughts, prayers & emails that get us to our next Bucket!!
We are in month 4 of her prognosis of 6-9months to live. Mom still feels "great" tho' she's losing her appetite, & gets constipated. She still struggles to breathe (hence the wheelchair). This week she will go through a 3hr Atomic Stress Test to better discern whether it is heart or cancer that is leaving her so breathless upon exertion. We say, whatever it is... Fix it! 'Cuz we are headed for Sedona & Grand Canyon in 6 weeks, over Thanksgiving! Hope to see you there! Thank you all for praying for us! It's your thoughts, prayers & emails that get us to our next Bucket!!
Louise "Ouisie" Weadock-Rowe
Anyone reading this... Looking for a Family fun event?? ... Get a group together... Go to Marine Land in St Augustine! This is a DEFINITE Do Not Miss experience @ any level! You'll enjoy the staff AND the dolphin adventure!
Louise,
ReplyDeleteHow do I begin by telling you what a wonderfully fun time we had. And I am sooooo sorry we didn't have a chance to say goodbye. As you know the
Lillywhite's are the most gracious hosts and simply wouldn't let us out the door. I think they enjoyed having Charlie there while engaging with Jack-what a darling boy, starving for a playmate I think!
Anyway, the whirlwind trip gave us such terrific memories. And once again in my life it happens because of you. It was such a good 'bonding' time for Charlie and me. Since Joseph has been away I've had a lot lifted from my shoulders and Charlie welcomed the relaxed one on one. He observed everything going on with your family. Questioning why everyone would go to such extremes but figuring it out himself. He also learned where a long lasting friendship such as ours can take you.
Dinner was super at the Atlantic Grille. I expect to see something on my bill for that as well.
We missed Shannon but it was great fun speaking w/ her on the phone. Paul looks wonderful. His circumliam at school sounds really tough. Hope it isn't too much. He and Charlie talked about a visit on campus at MD. I'd love it, Paul is a dymynic role model.
Thanks to all of you for changing the venue yesterday to create a much more comfortable and intimate experience. The moments that we have together are few and we made the most of that one. It felt as though we were at the "right" place at the "right" time, as we watched an exciting Ravens game and interacted with love towards each other. The dolphin weekend was a another memorable one and the time in Cocoa Beach together was the highlight for us.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing experience for you all! I dove with the dolphins at Unexso in the Bahamas and looking at these pictures reminds me of what an amazing experience that was. I was crying in my scuba mask I was so happy! What a joy for you to all do together. Keep it going!
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