SWC Report and Photos: Days 8 & 9
Day 8: Final Day
There's not much worse than packing up your bags again, knowing your trip is over. We got up early to pack our stuff and sign out of the hotel. We threw everything into Brandon's truck and drove over to SWC. Because we had a 7-hour drive ahead of us to get back to Modesto, we couldn't stay at SWC for the whole day. Brandon was very sweet and let us stay until after the 1:30 Believe show. On the other days it ran at 2:30pm, but by then the shadow of the stadium covered the slide-out and made for crummy photos. So I was excited to get the chance for better Believe photos.
When we arrived to the park, we went straight to Close Up, where we found Corky and Nakai doing Breakfast with Shamu. We brought out our photos and toys, and immediately had Corky and Nakai interacting.
When the trainers called them back, I rushed up to get some photos.
And, when they were done, rushed back down to Close Up, where Keith, Brandon and Jen were.
The two were moved out of Close Up soon afterwards, and so we decided to wander around a bit.
Before I knew it, it was time for Believe.
When the show ended and I went through my photos, I was laughing hysterically because I got just about every shot I aimed to get. The lighting was so much better and the crowd surprisingly made the photos look better. I was so happy with the final batch!
Just before exiting the park, we went down to Close Up one last time. Sumar was there, but there was a massive crowd that wasn't worth dealing with. I said my goodbyes to the orcas and we left. Just as we were loading up into the truck, I cried like a little baby, while Jen slept like a baby.
During the drive, Brandon drove us into a curb and all he had to say just before impact was, "HOLD MY DRINK!" XD
Oh yeah, people in California don't know how to drive in the rain. It was pathetic.
When we got back to Modesto we dropped by Brandon's favorite pub, where I had the best onion rings I've ever had in my life. We bought some Sangria, which helped me get to sleep that night. It was so nice to have a silent night of no snoring. XD (Sorry Jen!)
Day 9: Back in Modesto
What a bizzare morning! Jen and I had been talking about Hana being pregnant for the past couple days, even though at the time, the VA hadn't announced it. When I went to take my shower, I came out and Jen points to her laptop and says, "Jenn... read this." God, at first I thought someone DIED. When I read that it was an e-mail from the VA, announcing Hana's pregnancy, I squealed. XD I kept going, "I WAS RIGHT! I AM NOT INSANE!" XDD
Keith and Brandon went to a shooting range for the day (how American!) and so Jen and I went through our photos and checked out the local mall. I got strawberry cheesecake ice cream!
For dinner, a dream of mine came true. Oh yeah, that's right. I went to RED-FUCKING-LOBSTER! XD They don't exist in BC, so I was hyped to find one walking distance from Jen and Brandon's house. XD
Keith ordered a strawberry daquiri, but it was very sour.
... so Jen tried it...
... then Brandon gave it a try...
Now is that a meal or what?! (I ordered the biggest lobster tail on the menu LOL)
We went to bed relatively early and left Modesto at 6am. We arrived in Langley, BC at 10:30pm. It was a long drive, and it was sure good to be home. But I still feel homesick. Not for California or SWC, but the presence of orcas. I hate that empty feeling.
Days 1, 2 & 3: Departure, San Francisco and Arrival to SWC
Day 4: Shamu! Shamu! XD
Day 5: Shows Galore!
Day 6: Hey, where did our boys go?
Day 7: Okay, I can die happy now.