Silverwood's Dry Run

So, being in Northern Idaho, we're not exactly a mecca of hot spots and amazing activities to do. We like it like that.

There is no Disneyland, Sea World, or Six Flags.

However, there is Silverwood Theme Park.

We've gone to Silverwood enough to know our way around pretty well. The schools have a program where the kids get a free ticket if they meet their reading goals. Last year we went once on an afternoon, where we got a cut-rate admission for arriving late in the day. It is about a 2 1/2-hour drive to get there from home.

This last weekend, we stayed the night after Alyssa's softball game, and only had a 20-minute drive to get there the next morning. We were fortunate to score some tickets for Silverwood's "Dry Run" day. This is a day where they open the park to families of employees, and work out any kinks they may have for the new season. They evacuate a ride. They evacuate the whole park, and do a security sweep. But we got in for free, so it's all good!

One of the girls snagged this shot of Emma at the hotel with a fishy-face:

We had taken Emma last year, but she was still pretty little. Not that she's all that bigger now, but this year, she got more of the theme park experience. First thing in the gate is the carousel:

That's Darcie right behind us. The down side to this being early in the season, and in northern Idaho, is that the weather can be uncooperative. That day was sunny, but pretty windy, so we were all bundled up. We generally avoided the water rides (well, except Cameron & Alyssa) just to stay drier and therefore warmer.

The old-time cars were fun for her too... but Mom had to push the gas pedal, since she couldn't reach!!

Alyssa is here on the "Panic Plunge" ride with her cousin. They rode twice in a row, with no one else on the ride. This was also a reeeeally big advantage: with attendance on the low side, the line waits for rides were pretty minimal. The bigger coasters had longer waits, but some rides had no wait at all! "Aftershock" is the newest coaster, but it was not open that day.

Darcie & I rode the ferris wheel, while Todd waited with Emma asleep in the stroller.... snapping pictures as we came around each time. I do have to admit, there is a definite advantage to a stroller at a theme park, too........ it becomes our cart for carrying around our stuff!!

They closed the park earlier, with a wonderful evacuation rehearsal. No problem, as there was a bi-stake dance that Alyssa really wanted to attend. (Cameron bowed out on the grounds that he hadn't showered.)

So then at the end of the day: we didn't have to hike for forever to get to the vehicle: we were the 6th car in from the gate at the front edge of the lot. Combined with free parking, we had a super day at a fraction of the usual cost! Can't beat that!!