We got to experience a 2-day get-away (parts of 2 days anyway),last week, in the midst of all our computer "issues." I, thankfully, didn't realize that I was having all these computer problems, or I certainly wouldn't have been able to have all the fun that I did. Anyway, I did have a great time and here are some of the pictures to show it.
Cypress Gardens is a beautiful adventure park in Winter Haven, FL. It is only about 1 hour and 20 minutes from our house, but we chose to go over and spend the night, forcing our family to be together, without the benefit of cyberspace to air in our communication.
I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them.
It's always amazed me at how people can carve words into greenery. Here it says, "Cypress Gardens Adventure Park."
This beautiful, bucolic scene greets everyone as they come in. Overlooking Lake Eloise, Cypress Gardens is a masterpiece of beautiful flowers, luscious greenery and totally relaxing music in an unhurried atmosphere, which is what I needed after being here all summer with no breaks!
Even the snail looks cool!
Our family stands beside the sign. I'm taking the picture of course.
Here's me, taking the picture.. one of those "self-portraits" in the mirror at the Butterfly Gardens. It was neat.
Absolutely GORGEOUS butterly/flower shots!
I printed this one up into a 16x22 poster! It's gorgeous... The Lord really knew what He was doing when He gave us beautiful flowers and butterflies to relax our spirits!
I was thrilled to see this shot when I got home!
More beautiful flowers and butterflies. I would have taken BUNCHES more, but my camera battery was getting low and I wanted to prove that Cypress Gardens has rides!
THE RIDES
So, here are the kids and Ken on the roller coaster! I was safely on the ground, taking pictures and enjoying the bench!
Here we go... that's me at the end of the line of people, in the front, on the Yo-Yo. It was really a giant swing and I was doing just fine until someone decided to start swaying us in and out and up and down. That wasn't so fun and my stomach started lurching. My nice, smooth ride disappeared.
Here we went on a ride that went up into the sky, looking down on everything. That was beautiful and peaceful and nothing jerked or lunged.
Bumper cars was a family favorite. We could take out our meanness here and it was KOSHER! Ken and Sarah were far enough away from me that I could snap this shot without taking a hit.
Sarah, 17, looking to keep from getting creamed.
Also, another family favorite. This was almost like a flume ride. We got in these huge inner tubes and rode down a water channel. It was like a giant roller coaster in slow motion in an inner tube with the whole family! What a hoot. There I was, at the top, taking pictures!
THE SKI SHOW
The Cypress Garden Classic shot... the girls on the guys' shoulders, while staying afloat on skis and moving around the lake. TOTALLY BEAUTIFUL and amazing!
Coming in on a "kite" of sorts.
Here a guy was doing some kind of fabulous flip on some kind of water board now. It was amazing. He stayed UP on landing.
Approaching the turn with the "group" ready for my BIG SHOT! I got it (see above!)
Here's the guy holding the girl over his shoulder while skiing at the same time. Amazing and beautiful.
Three guys doing some kind of over/under skiing stunt.
Double flips on skis.
