Dolphins

Summer has been fascinated with Dolphins ever since she was two years old and heard Dave talk about diving and swimming with the dolphins in Hawaii.  She just loves them and she was really hoping for a chance to touch one when we got to Sea World.  Our first day at Sea World was during Labor Day weekend!  It was so crowded and crazy.  Still, we were hoping we could buy fish and let the kids feed the dolphins.  Unfortunately this is not something that they do.  So despite all the fun of the day, Summer left feeling a little disappointed that she didn’t get to touch a dolphin.  However, Dave, in his fatherly wisdom, had bought tickets that gave us a full week of access to Sea World.  What a great dad!  When we went back after Labor Day, it was a much mellowed place.  Our first stop was the dolphin pool.  There were only a few of us standing around the edges and you are allowed to put your hands in the water.  If the dolphins come to you, then you can pet them.  The anticipation was palpable.  We talked to the dolphins and splashed some water to get their attention.  And we waited patiently, or impatiently, depending on who you ask.

Dave was ready with his camera, when this friendly dolphin came over to say hello.  That is Dave’s hand in the picture.

The nearby trainers said that if you put your hand flat on the water, that is a sign to the dolphins that you want to interact.  Of course everyone around the pool was doing it after we heard that.  I have no idea why, but we seemed to get a lot of dolphins coming over to us.  We all felt amazed and honored.

We were talking to one of the dolphin trainers while we were there.  He said that during the busy summer, they are surrounded all the way around the pool 10 people deep and the dolphins avoid the people.  They do have trainers that bring the dolphins around to let people touch them but only a few people get that privilege.  He said that we were really lucky because it was really rare for the dolphins to come up to people spontaneously and interact.  He was really surprised.  And we were all thrilled.  What great memories!