Fox and Squirrel Pt. 7

It seems this memoir is running longer than the others that I've written. I certainly hope what few readers I have can keep up.

Part 7: The Church of the Bucket
It was our turn, and it was too late to change our minds. Acacia and I settled down in our clover shaped inner tube; we sat across from each other diagonally, in order to even out the weight distribution. Then we let the current whip us down the slide.
The drop was very steep, much steeper than the Mega Wedgie, and the speed we were traveling at was much faster as well. It was so fast and wild, that when the inner tube shot out into the funnel that gives the ride it's moniker, I didn't even realize it. My ignorance was short-lived however, for I looked down and saw that we were twenty feet in the air, up the side of the giant funnel. I made a noise of surprise and shock (perhaps some expletives were involved as well), and Acacia laughed at the expression on my face.
We slid up and down the sides of the tunnel (it's placed horizontally, as opposed to vertically, so instead of spinning inside the funnel, you go up the sides) several times, until our momentum slowed down. Then we shot out the bottom of the tunnel and landed with a giant splash into the pool. What fun that slide was! I had been slightly frightened and highly delighted. We floated in our inner tube for a few moments, the sun shining on us. I felt exposed, for I knew the people still waiting in line were watching us, waiting to see when we would get off our tube and get out of the water. I had wanted to float into the shallows, and I think we may have, but it was more likely that we quickly dismounted from the tube and dragged the cumbersome bastard out of the water.

We left The Tornado, laughing about how shocked we were when we realized we were up on the side of the funnel. We collected our towels and Acacia's sandals from the place we left them, having to lean over a  man, who was lounging in a chair next to the fence we placed our things on. It was pretty awkward, but I'm sure he didn't mind.
We walked down to Paul Bunyan's Bucket Brigade, which is a large aquatic playground that boasts ' over 150 ways to get wet'. The tree-house like, five-story edifice that resembles an over-sized jungle gym is set in a two foot deep pool, and features fountains, jets that spray water from all directions, and slides. But the icing on the cake is a large bucket set at the very tippy top of the 'tree house', which holds up to five hundred (if I recall correctly) gallons of water, and, when it is filled to capacity, empties itself upon eager bathers at regular intervals. Let me tell you, there is nothing like having 500 gallons of water dumped on you, it's traumatizing, and yet a very thrilling experience.

Since the bucket was still filling, Acacia and I cavorted about, playing in the fountains and jets, and going down one of the slides. It was kind of fun, but what I really wanted to do was be under that bucket! Eventually, when it looked like the bucket was reaching its peak, we stood under it, joined by other park goers. See, every time the bucket gets ready to empty itself, a large gathering of people starts to form underneath it, reminding me of in a strange way of a religious cult. It's the way they all stand, perfectly still, eyes cast toward their deity, The Bucket. Acacia and I stood in the very center of this congregation of The Church of the Bucket.

After a long wait (which we endured by running under the little waterfalls that happened to be nearby) the bucket finally unleashed it's five hundred gallons of aquatic rage. The water came down on us in a violent torrent, knocking my glasses off to the side of my head. I clung to Acacia, the two of us screaming Hetalia references at the top of our lungs. While the duration of the epic soaking may last only a few seconds, it does feel like forever, and we were right in the thick of it, so we bore the brunt of The Bucket's fury. It was surreal, being engulfed and trapped in this strange watery cocoon, unable to move. When it was over, I fixed my glasses and checked my jewelry to see if any of it had been torn off by the force of the water. Luckily, it had not and Acacia and I wrung ourselves out, then decided to visit the Lumberjack Splash Wavepool. A wave pool, is essentially a giant swimming pool, with waves created by a machine. Set at times intervals, they;re supposed to simulate waves in the ocean. The first time I entered this wave pool, at the tender age of 11, I nearly drowned, because I was not a strong swimmer and the waves were too big for me. A life guard had seen me struggling, but made no moves to help me.

Now that I was older I feared this wave pool less, though I still fear drowning (since I have nearly drowned several times in my life, I think this phobia is rational). Acacia and I waded in, just as the waves were starting. We went out as far as we could go, where the waves were the highest and fiercest. Unafraid, I threw myself into the waves, stood in the face of them and let them rock me. I wished I had an inner tube so I could ride them, but I still enjoyed the feeling of the water cradling me, like being wrapped in the arms of a great sea goddess .It's almost as good as being in the ocean. Then, as the waves began to die down, it was almost relaxing. When they were completely gone, and pool became just like any regular pool, Acacia and I paddled around for a bit, then decided it was time to leave Splashwater Kingdom. We were cooled off sufficiently and wanted to go back to the rest of the park, to enjoy the thrills offered there.

I warn you, the next installment, might take me awhile. My memory is fuzzed up again, and I am unable to get the chronological stuff in order. But bear with me, and thanks for reading.