Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

I took August 21 off work so that Trevor, Hayley and I could go to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom before Trevor has his Ear Surgery and starts the 1st Grade. With Sean in Week 7 of the Oakland Police Academy he was not able to go, so Auntie Karen came with us.

Our 1st ride of the day was the Road Runner Express. Trevor was tall enough to go on by himself, but I had to ride with Hayley. I have been on many little kid roller coasters with Trevor and Hayley and this was by far the worst one yet.

Let's just say they kids enjoyed the ride a lot, but it was not meant for adults to ride or at least not ride comfortably. The lap bar had a metal piece that separated the two riders in the car. You can see this in the picture with Trevor. This lovely metal piece hit my legs upon every turn and stop. It was not a pleasant feeling and I know I will be bruised tomorrow. I was a good parent and went on it one time with the kids. That was more that enough for me.

After the roller coaster Trevor and Hayley went for a plane ride at Yosemite Sam's Flight School. Hayley was the pilot and Trevor the copilot for their 1st journey.

I don't think any of the other kids knew that their planes went high into the air. Trevor and Hayley kept this plane soaring in the clouds while it appear the other planes were grounded.

Trevor and Hayley were very excited to see the Thomas area.

Trevor got to fly Harold the Helicopter and Hayley was the copilot.

We also went to Knapford Station and rode the train pulled by Thomas himself. How many people can say that they have done that. Well, everyone else who was on our train can say that, but still how neat.

Here is Tidmouth Shed, where Thomas and his friends rest. Discovery Kingdom really did a good job on the Thomas area.

After spending sometime with Thomas the Tank Engine and getting lunch, we went tot he Shouka the Whale Show. It was so bright at the show that Auntie Karen and Trevor sat way up in the last row. Hayley and I braved the sun and sat lower. We did not get as many good shots as we would have liked, but the sun was so bright that my eyes hurt.

We never saw the dolphin and the whale perform together so this was a special treat for us. Here they just came straight up out of the water. Nothing major, but so cool.

The whale always took off from the trainers first followed by the dolphin. It was so neat to see them jump up out of the water together.

This was my favorite jump because they were so close to our side of the stadium. God is truly amazing.

It is amazing to see how high the dolphins can jump.

I missed the shot of the dolphin jumping out of the water and hitting the ball with its' tail. I think you need to see this show and the whale show many times to really see it all.

How cool is this. The dolphin pushed the trainer through the water and then, Wham! The trainer was tossed into the air and landed back in the water. Not sure how I was lucky enough to capture this one, but I did and and very happy.

The kids got to go on a Jeep Safari. The truck they rode in had two steering wheel though. Not sure what country that is from, but notice which side Hayley is driving on. Maybe this has to due with her British Beau.

Hayley was so thrilled that she was tall enough for the swings. They went on the swings 2 times in a row and had a great time.

One of the things Trevor said he HAD to do at Discovery Kingdom was to feed the Giraffes. Well, the way he talked about feeding them you would have thought he would have been less nervous. It took about 5 times feeding the giraffes and me telling him he was doing it so fast until he finally realized I was trying to get a picture of him feeding the animal.

Once he figured that out that he loosened up and was not so fast or nervous. When I finally got a picture where he is placing the carrot on the giraffe tongue he said "thanks for getting my picture" and was done feeding the giraffes.

Hayley gets right in there to the Giraffe's mouth. She is not afraid or grossed out by the Giraffe's tongue.

This picture turned out very cool. Both Hayley and the Giraffe have their tongues out. I like the curled tongue the giraffe has made around the carrot.

After the giraffes we found the Frog Hopper Ride which turned out to be the kid's favorite ride. The frogs "jumped" up and down. Note to parents: if you go to Discovery Kingdom let the kids go on this by themselves. I was getting sick just watching them bounce up and down.

Trevor was so excited for this ride for 2 reasons. One being that the Elephant's head bounced up and down during the ride and made it more fun. Reason two being that he did not have to ride with Hayley. He likes going on rides with he, but he had his fill by this point.

Hayley enjoyed herself as well. Every time she came around near me she would smile whether or not I had the camera up for a picture.

The lion looked as though he were just about to fall off the rocks. He slept like this for over 45 minutes while we were watching and feeding the giraffes.

After feeding the giraffes and going on some rides we noticed that the lions had woken up.

And now were just relaxing.

I was glad to get this shot of the male and female lions. Notice how the female has to sit at the bottom in the dirt and the male is high atop the mountain of rocks. Question is who really is protecting who here?

Before the Tiger Show we got to watch this Bengal tiger wander around the Tiger enclosure. He walked back and forth so many times we felt like we were at a Tennis match.

What an amazing animal. Although the fence is there for our protection, I think the picture would have been better if it were gone.

This tiger is grasping at the meat. It was funny to see the tiger do this and even funnier with him under water.

The tiger was eating the piece of meat the trainer threw at the fence. The tiger splashed many people as he pounced through the water after the meat.

Hayley was very quiet on the way back to the car and when we finally got there we found her like this. She slept about half way home.