"Every Picture Tells a Story ... Don't It:" On the Road, Busch Gardens | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: In the interest of reflection, we are bringing forward some of these older, seasoned posts on travel, as I prepare to do more of a newer variety here quite soon.

    I have always loved theme parks. It is an incurable urge that draws me to these monstrous ribbons of steel that allow roaring, rolling collective groups of stangers strapped into a transitory thrill box to be shot up and down and all around, until the itch to be thrilled is surely satisfied. They're called roller coasters, and you either love them or hate them; never just tolerate them. Busch Gardens placates that itch for me, as well as it does for most of the members of my family. Does it do it for you?

    This following segment of "Every Picture Tells a Story ... Don't It:" On the Road is dedicated to all you folks who just need to get away for that cheap thrill that usually never kills, and you won't catch anything that you wouldn't want your mother to know about.

    For most of us that live in eastern North Carolina, our distination is Busch Gardens / Williamsburg, Virginia. This award winning theme park is just up the road about three hours or so, from my home in Washington, North Carolina, to the colonial James City County city of Williamsburg, Virginia. The park is nestled in tight on 250 acres of rolling hills just 3 miles southeast from the former Colonial Capital of Virginia. And it is the place where fun begins.
Upon entrance into the theme park, we are greeted by a funny, funky jazz band dressed as constables: Above. After the entering the park and making our way through the theme country of Ireland and on to Wolf Valley, where we chance upon the exposition of a wounded bald eagle, who recieves rehabilitation by the conservation staff at Busch Gardens: Below.     images by Stan Deatherage

As we headed into the Wolf Valley to take a look at the wildlife in this animal conservatory, others were headed out for the thrill of the roller coasters: Above. As the rest of us bake under this hot July sun, this grey wolf finds solace by cooling his inner core by standing in this pool at the bottom of Wolf Valley: Below.     images by Stan Deatherage

Before we leave Wolf Valley, we take a good look at the birds, and we start with the bald eagle, our national bird and symbol of our nation's strength. These strong, proud beautiful animals are well taken care of by the conservation staff, and for many Americans, it is the first bald eagle they have ever seen: Above. This immature male bald eagle is yet to get his full white skull plumage: Below.     images by Stan Deatherage

After the bald eagles, we sojourn uphill toward the roller coasters, but first we stop off at the aviary. Inside, we dodge the fowl effluent, and take a good look at these exotic birds: Above and below.     images by Stan Deatherage