We are talking about water memories this week. I, like Tera, have been obsessed with mermaids since I learned to swim. I loved the water so much that I couldn't think of anything cooler than living in the water full-time. I can remember submerging myself in the bathtub and trying to hold my breath as long as I could only to be disappointed when I had to burst out for a breath. I couldn't believe that I was just a lowly human with legs instead of scales. One Christmas my family traveled with my grandparents to Florida. While browsing the glossy travel attraction brochures in the hotel lobby, I spotted one that made my heart stop. The cover showed REAL, LIVE mermaids. The place was called Weeki Wachee. I begged my parents to take me but I'm pretty sure they groaned deeply at my infatuation with what must have seemed like a kitschy tourist trap to them. But my grandpa swooped in and drove us the extra hundred miles to see my mermaids.
Weeki Wachee did not disappoint. If I was smitten with mermaids before I went, I was absolutely head over heels once I left. I remember watching the mermaids swim and even though they would occasionally pause to take a covert hit off a hidden oxygen tube, I didn't care. They were absolutely real to me. A few years ago, Weeki Wachee was in danger of closing, but since then it has been made a state park. They have added play areas and even some water rides since I have been there. They even have mermaid camp for little girls. I love the fact that a place that opened in 1946 is still entertaining families today.
I really hope to go back someday and share the magic of mermaids with my kids. Since I can't get to Florida right now I'm going to spend next week with Lily and Quince in Fins are Forever. Have you ever been mesmerized by a cheesy roadside attraction? Don't forget to comment for your chance to win a prize pack.
Weeki Wachee did not disappoint. If I was smitten with mermaids before I went, I was absolutely head over heels once I left. I remember watching the mermaids swim and even though they would occasionally pause to take a covert hit off a hidden oxygen tube, I didn't care. They were absolutely real to me. A few years ago, Weeki Wachee was in danger of closing, but since then it has been made a state park. They have added play areas and even some water rides since I have been there. They even have mermaid camp for little girls. I love the fact that a place that opened in 1946 is still entertaining families today.I really hope to go back someday and share the magic of mermaids with my kids. Since I can't get to Florida right now I'm going to spend next week with Lily and Quince in Fins are Forever. Have you ever been mesmerized by a cheesy roadside attraction? Don't forget to comment for your chance to win a prize pack.xo,
Stephanie
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29 comments:
I LOVE kitschy roadside attractions and always try to stop at them, my family tries to put up a fight but I usually prevail. My all time favorite delightfully tacky place to stop is South of the Border, a tourist stop just below the NC border on Interstate 95 in SC. I stop every time I pass so I can grab a drink and stock up on tacky souvenirs and t shirts. Love it!
Weeki Wachee sounds amazing! I wish I can go there now and see all the mermaids.:)
I adore cheesy roadside attraction. But I'm usually the only one in my family who wants to stop and go there.
Weeki Wachee sounds great. I love cheesy roadside attractions. You get to see some interesting stuff.
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot}com
I love kitschy roadside attractions too!! My family and I always stop when we see them, even is it puts us back a few hours...I especially love those little antique shops. Anyway, thank you for the great giveway! I would love to read and review this novel :) edysicecreamlover18ATgmailDOTcom
On a road trip in Australia, we pulled off to see llamas and had the best cheeseburgers we've ever eaten. The llamas were cool, too!
I have heard about Weeki Wachee and how amazing an experience it is to see these talented "mermaids." I think every gal secretly (or not so secretly) loves the idea of flowing hair, a mermaid tail, a shell bra (okay, I'm modest), and guys appreciating their untouchable beauty. Congrats to Tera!
So cool. I would love to go there and it was very nice of your grandpa to take you there. :)
spicedice45@gmail.com
AWWWWW I want to see the mermaids.
I can't possibly remember cheesy ones that I chose. But that's because I think they're cool in a run-down kind of way.
My favorite place to stop is Charlie Brown Farms in Rosemead, CA It's like five shops in one with so much old-time candy and soda you could possibly imagine. And that's just scratching the surface!
My family goes to Lake George a lot and I always love seeing the outside of a kid's park. I think it's called Story Land or something like that. But outside of the park there are these two statues. I think one is Uncle Sam and there's a bear. Sorry I can't remember but I always liked to look at them.
I don't travel (Spend all my money on books and food if I have any left after the book store.)
So no, but depending on what it was I might stop.
Weeki Wachee was a stop on Amazing Race I think. I do remember going I should move so I can work there.
moiraethefates(AT)gmail(DOT)com
cute pics!
What child has not been attracted to roadside atractions? Most of the time my mom would say no, and that was the end of it. That probably saved me from blowing my money on very cheesy things.
I remember stopping at an Old West Ghost Town somewhere in AZ I think as a kid. I loved it. Everyone was dressed up in pioneer clothes and I felt like I'd stepped back into history. Complete with fake gun fights!
I'd love to go to Weeki Wachee someday. I've always loved mermaids, I'd tie my legs together and swim in my pool as a kid. As an adult I went to Disney Land for the first time and stood in line to see Ariel, when it was my turn to take a picture with her I thought I'd cry! A grown woman!
Weeki Wachee sounds like a dream! Roadside attractions, weather they are rides or little stores are the best. :) I recently went up north in WA for the tulip festival and stopped at this cute little store that had the BEST fudge, caramel and pies. :) I can't wait to go back.
jellybelly930@gmail.com
I wanted to go to the camp so bad when I was younger. Alas...florida is a couple states away.
We dont have any roadside attractions here. At least.. ive never seen any.
Once driving up North to visit family we passed by a broken-down train transformed into a restaurant that claimed to have "the world's best burgers" - not so much, needless to say we drive right passed that train restaurant on our journey's and laugh at the hundreds of people lined up to try a taste of supposedly the world's best burger :)
I haven't seen one in my part of the town. How sad.
That is just so cool! I have huge fascination with mermaids - that sounds like something I definitely would've loved!
I always love kitschy roadside attractions, but we rarely have these in Malaysia.
aikychien at yahoo dot com
Sometimes I would take a second look at a kitshy roadside attraction.
I wish I knew what kitshy meant!
ummmm, i don't think I ever have. But then again I generally don't stop the car for anything. >.<
peachandblue2@aol.com
I love kitschy roadside attractions too!! We just don't seem to be able to go see them anymore...I always love the little gift shops a lot of them have. Thank a bunch for the great giveaway! I would love to read and review this novel :) renahes_rambles(AT)hotmail(DOT)co(DOT)uk
I've heard about Weeki Wachee and how amazing an experience it is to see mermaids
blubear12@gmail.com
I won't be around(vacation in Aruba) when the giveaway is over and if I win....PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE hold me the pack. I'll be back in two weeks!!! =)))
that sounds really great! i hope someday you will be able to bring your kids there.
Love it, Steph! There's a gigantic Florida lobster named Betsey (I believe) about halfway down in the Keys. It's worth the drive just to see it. LOL!!
And, of course, the Big Peach in Gaffney, SC!
Weeki Wachee sounds amazing! I love mermaids. So happy Tera could capture them for us!
hiawassee04ATaimDOTcom
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