My fascination became a reality when I was 11 or 12 years old and my family took a trip to Sea World. My mind was practically exploding the entire trip as I experienced some of the amazing creatures that dwell there. Watching the dolphins and the trainers interact, I decided that I wanted nothing more than to become a Marine Biologist and train and swim with the dolphins at Sea World.
Well,
as most of you know, I am not a Marine Biologist, nor do I work at Sea World.
My dreams were slashed the year I tried to learn to dive…or swim more than
average really at all. I also decided, I really didn’t like swimming much at
all. Luckily for me I was watching the travel channel one night when a special
on Discovery Cove came on. They showed a beautiful resort in Florida where a
guest could come and swim with dolphins. My heart pounded wildly, “maybe I could
go, maybe I could live out my dream, even if just for a day,” I thought.
Unfortunately, the prices were listed, and my dream had to wait.
Skip ahead 12 years. My husband and I sat in our living room trying to decide what to do with “the last summer of his life.” Don’t worry he is not dying or anything. Medical school simply calls the year between your 1st and 2nd year of school the last summer of your life, because you will never again have a summer off. We toyed with Hawaii, but knew it was too expensive. We looked at Texas and various beaches around the US. Then, we decided to look into California because there is a lot to do, and I had never been there. That is when I pulled up Sea World (CA branch). I was so excited when I saw the dolphin encounter as an option. I was all the sudden giddy with excitement, practically dancing around the living room. “I might can swim with a dolphin Kevin!!” I said. That is when I read the description and the price. How silly to pay so much money to get waist deep in the water with a dolphin for 30 minutes.
At that moment the idea popped into my head…DISCOVERY COVE!!! That is where it all began. We looked everything up and found out we could actually afford it (because there are only 2 of us). We contacted some friends who had been before and decided on the trainer for a day package. How perfect, I could finally be a dolphin trainer (even if just for a day right ;)). Our tickets came with passes to Sea World as well as the water park there, and for a little extra we added Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay. We got a great discount on a hotel right beside the property, got my parents to agree to watch our puppy dogs, put together a budget, and made it happen.
I cannot express to you the extreme joy that we experienced on this vacation together. We had SUCH a blast. We went to the water park first, where we ran into a friend from Bolivia who actually works there at the park. We had dinner beside Shamu’s tank, which was unreal (if you ever go to sea world, do it). We explored the parks, encountered all types of marine life, and had a wonderful time. Then the day was finally upon us. The day I had waited 12 years of my life (over half) to do.
We started by having breakfast at Discovery Cove (which is included btw). We got behind the scenes tours, including animal interactions that are closed to the public. I got to feed an anteater from my hand, pet a tiny screech owl, feed a shark, and sort of feed an otter. Then, the moment finally arrived. I got to swim with a dolphin. I decided to wait to go last in my group, to fully allow the moment to set in. It was all I had waited for and more. The 12 year wait was well worth it! The sheer strength, yet gentleness those dolphins have is unbelievable, something I still struggle to put into words.
Now, because we opted for the package we selected we had additional dolphin time that afternoon. We got lucky, because depending on the behavior of the dolphins that day, it is not guaranteed. We got not 1, but 2 extra interactions. We got to swim a total of 3 different ways with the dolphins. In the first swim, you hold onto their dorsal fin and onto one of the fins on their side. The second we called “dolphin racing.” There were 2 dolphins, one on each side of the pool. The dolphin laid on his back with me on top of him. The other had another member of our group on top of it. They then swam super fast across the pool, essentially racing each other. I raced Kevin….and won, which was awesome. Then, the last, and probably best was called a double foot push, where 2 dolphins push you up out of the water across the pool. I literally felt like I was flying across the water. It was incredible.
The day was all I could have asked for and so much more. Being so close to the marine life re-lit the love and excitement I had as a child. While I know I will probably never be a dolphin trainer, I can still be involved in marine life. I have a degree in education, and LOVE teaching science. I have decided to attempt to work as an educator at our local aquarium (or zoo). That way, I am using the degree I received, while teaching groups of people about what I truly love, the ocean. I am (for the first time in awhile) excited about what I could actually do as a career while waiting to go to grad school and pursue my degree in counseling. If you are confused about why I am not going to grad school now, read the previous post!
We also had a super fun time around the Tampa area, with Kevin’s Aunt and Uncle, who were kind enough to let us stay with them for a few days. It was so great hanging out and having personal tour guides to take us to all the best beaches and what not around the area. We went to Busch Gardens, which was super fun, and even had the opportunity to hand feed kangaroos, which was so neat! They really are precious little guys! Our time in Florida has come to an end, but we are not sad at all. We are leaving with a life-time of amazing memories and opportunities that very few get to experience, and we are truly grateful. Now we are heading back up to the Carolinas to visit family for a bit, before heading back to KC to start year 2.
Thanks for reading,
Anna
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| With Jenny the Dolphin |
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| Dolphin Racing! |
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