Virginia Beach Trip - Day 3

After a rather descent sleep, I woke up early (0530) at Erin’s began teleworking (so did Erin). I skipped breakfast but Brenna and Mollie went out to eat at a nearby coffee shop.  Throughout the early morning, everyone offered things (walks, food) to me but I kept working until 1100.  At that point, we (my daughters and I) got ready and then departed (almost 30 minutes later) for Williamsburg.  We were in Mollie’s car but she’d asked me to drive.  The traffic was horrendous but this gave us a chance to talk about all sorts of topics (some current events, some family stuff).  Brenna slept for a little while on the way.  After arriving at Busch Gardens by 1230, we walked to the main gate and easily got inside with the complementary tickets (1300).  It was warm but not too unbearable for a Southern summer day.  We got some nice photos of all of us together and then walked to Germany (because I was quite hungry by then).  At the Fest Haus (1325), we got some lunch - I was surprised to see all the food go so quickly! I’d suggested everyone carry a water bottle but ended up being the only one who still had one by the time we left the restaurant (1400).  For the first time in years, we skipped the music and dance show.  Instead, we split up so Brenna and I could go on a roller coaster (Verbolten).  Meanwhile, Erin and Mollie went on rides in Italy.  After a fun ride, Brenna and I caught up to them just as they went on another attraction.  While waiting, we decided to ride the Roman Rapids - always a treat! Meeting up again with Erin and Mollie, we all ended up taking an additional two more circuits of that ride and enjoyed the cooler air and splashes. Afterwards, we enjoyed a few more rides nearby before the girls decided to buy water and some delicious Italian ices. Erin gave me a Busch Gardens magnet she’d bought - that will look good on my fridge.  We then walked to the Pompeii ride and Brenna and I went on it.  Later, all of us went to the Sesame Street area and Erin rode on a kiddie roller coaster with me (Mollie didn’t want to do it).  We next took a gondola ride to New France and tried to board the train.  However, it had mechanical problems and we ended up getting off.  Instead, Brenna and I rode on the Log Flume (very fun) before meeting up with Erin and Mollie again.  By then, they were hungry again and I took them to dinner at the Smokehouse in New France (1815).  Once again, they ate almost everything and seemed to be in good spirits.  Erin started talking about wanting to leave soon but I compromised with her to stay until 2000.  In the time we had remaining at that point (about one hour), we managed to get on the train, Mollie saw the Clydesdales, we got more photos, everyone rode the carousel and we took another gondola ride.  By then, we’d reached the agreed upon departure time and took the tram to our car (located in the Ireland parking lot).  Since Mollie's car needed gas, I located a nearby station and then we headed towards home (I was driving Mollie’s car again).  There was traffic again so we talked about good memories of the day and plans for the rest of the summer.  I wasn’t using a map so I ended up getting lost near Mount Trashmore and the ensuing confusion (we had to use some closed streets) led to some hilarity.  Back at Erin’s (2130), Mollie returned some travel books she’d borrowed (and gave me a new one about hiking in the White Mountains).  At the same time, Brenna gave me a wonderful card.  Even though it was late, there was talk of playing some board games.  Unfortunately, it was at this time that the toilets stopped working correctly.  We spent the next three hours trying to figure out how to clear it.  Initially, we realized that Erin and Austin didn’t have a plunger so they had to go out to a few stores to find one.  Meanwhile, the tub and shower started to fill up with water...  After I got a chance to plunge for a while, it became clear that there must be a sewer line problem.  Erin tried to find a plumber and I turned off the water and retired to bed.  Later, I figured out that the City Water people might come to check things for free - Erin set this up for the morning and we sorted out some new sleeping arrangements.  Everyone was cranky because it was quite late but eventually fell asleep (0100).  It's never boring when I get together with all my kids!