Williamsburg, VA (USA)

[up early (0600) - breakfast - gas fill-up (0700) - picked up Brenna and then we got Mollie's friend Katie - we then drove to Williamsburg (via I-95, I-295 and I-64) - nearly saw a major accident on the way (jeep nearly took out a group of motorcyclists) we arrived at Busch Gardens at 0915 and got the good parking (up close), in case it rained - it had been over seven years since I was in the park - there were a lot of changes - we immediately started on the roller coasters, riding the Loch Ness Monster and Alpengeist (twice) with no lines - we also checked out Verbolten (new ride) and it was good - it was sprinkling but never really started raining hard - we continued exploring for a few hours before there was almost anyone in the park - several of our favorite rides were closed (Pompeii, Log Flume, etc.) - Mollie didn't like the roller coasters much, so Brenna and Katie went on several while I spent time with her exploring the Jack Hanna preserve (wolves, eagles, etc.) - we all met up again and had lunch at Ristorante Della Piazza (1145) - after that, we went to one of the Halloween shows ("Fiends") - it was ridiculously baudy and rather adult but we stayed dry - later, Brenna and Katie went on a few more rides - Mollie and I saw "More Pet Shenanigans" (hasn't changed in all these years) and we visited with the trainers afterwards - Brenna and I got some food from the car (picnic) and then returned to meet up with Katie and Mollie - we rode some more rides in Festa Italia (everyone's favorite) and Brenna and I rode the train - then we all headed to New France for the start of Howl-o-Scream - there were demons, pirates, a Wendigo, vampires and rippers this time (the clowns were gone) - Brenna was genuinely scared of all the cast members but we did get some information about how to avoid being chased - Katie and Mollie didn't seem to be phased at all and the even went in one of the haunted houses (Cornered) - Brenna and I rode the Carousel and then watched a show in the Festhaus ("Night Beats") while eating some deserts (mmmm) - when we finally found Mollie and Katie again (1945), we walked to the exit (navigating more scary people) - we left park at 2000 and drove home (via I-64, I-295 and I-95) - there was only a little traffic - we dropped Brenna off at 2230 - Katie and Mollie had a sleepover (I heard them whispering until really late!)]