Impromtu Trip to see Santa In August - Complete, no pics (my battery died ) About This Page:

[Teresa]

I’m off to see Santa Claus!

Who: Me, Teresa (41), DH – Ron (51), DD Kathryn (15), DD Lauren (10)
Where: Santa Claus, Indiana, Home of Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari (and a surprise even to us until we got there – someplace on the other side of Indiana)
When: August 5 and 6, 2008
Why: Because DH asked me

It all started with a question on Monday, August 4th (and I don’t mean 2007). “What have we planned for tomorrow and Wednesday?” DH asked. I responded nothing until I went to “work” on Wednesday evening (I don’t really call it work, since it’s only for 2.5 hours a week!).
“Let’s go to Holiday World” he says.

Planning

So, with only a few hours to plan, I did what everyone with sense does. I went to Passporter.com and told everyone how wonderful my DH is! Then, I spent 3 hours on-line trying to find a hotel close, with availability for that night. I finally found one in Huntingburg, IN, about 20 minutes away from Holiday World. It was a Quality Inn, and with tax was only $100.81. That included a “hot breakfast”, but more about that later.
I mapquested directions to Holiday World, from there to the hotel and also to a place I found online called “Schnitzelbank Restaurant”. Here’s a link: http://www.schnitzelbank.com/ . (More about THAT later too!!)

The journey begins

We woke up at around 6AM on the 5th. Knowing that Holiday World doesn’t open until 9:30, and they’re an hour behind us was wonderful!! We packed, called my FiL to ask if he’d come and let the dog out later and then jumped in the car and were on the road by 7AM.
Took I-65 South from Indy to Southport, and decided to stop at Cracker Barrel. It was about 8. If I’d known then that this would be our LAST meal until 9 PM, I would have eaten more!! I had a bowl of oatmeal, with raisins and some milk. I really do not remember what everyone else had – except I can assure you that Lauren didn’t eat eggs (she’s allergic!). Full, we returned to the van and headed south.

The ENTIRE trip, from stepping foot outside our door until we were almost to Santa Claus, it rained!! And I don’t mean little, piddly rains. I mean giant drops, hard and fast. So, we availed ourselves at a very nice Rest Stop somewhere upon I-64 (just west of Louisville, on the Indiana side) and got a few brochures for other, indoor activities we might be able to visit. Did you know that Abraham Lincoln lived in Indiana for his boyhood?? I did, but DDs didn’t! We also were handed a FREE Indiana State map – which was wonderful since I don’t have one in my van, and I really don’t like DH’s Atlas he carries about.

We’re There!!

We finally made it to Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari. One price, 2 parks. FREE sodas! We had a coupon for $4 off, so after we parked way out in the boonies, because they were so busy, we handed over our $140 or so, and sauntered in. Duffle bags in hand, we prepared to conquer all we surveyed.

The Rides Commence

The Raven Roller coast (best in the world 2000-2003) is right after you enter the park, so we decided it was a wonderful place to start. One feature of Holiday World that I love – they have shelving the attendants will put your bags or purses, hats, coat, whatever on. If you have something you decide is too valuable to risk, they have lockers. You hand the attendant of the ride your item, they take it and then return with a key for you to hang unto. It’s wonderful. So, we handed over our bags (full of swim gear), and prepared for a fun time! DH and I sat in the 4th from the last car – DDs behind us. It was a blast, but I wonder why it is that the older I become, the more I seem to feel every bump in the wooden coasters?
Off The Raven, retrieve our items, and on to: the Swings!! The kids love these, because they go FAST! I mean, I’ve never seen any other place have them this fast. I won’t ride them. Wish I could say it’s because they’re so fast, but it’s because they’re a bit skinny for my not-so-skinny behind. So, I sat in the shade on one of the many, many benches around the park, and talked to a lady from Newburgh, IN. We had a nice chat, and then my family showed up!

Time for one of those FREE Pepsis. There are little “Pepsi Oasis’s all over the park – they are basically little shacks, with 8 doors! 4 of the doors are Entrances and 4 are Exits. For every pair of doors, there is a soda machine. Help yourself. There is also water, tea, punch, and Gatorade on tap.

As we drank our sodas, we walked over to the Splashin’ Safari section and rented two lockers. These are $10 each, but you receive $7 back when you return the key. With our swim stuff stowed and the keys tied to my bag I was using as a purse, we were lighter and ready to head on to more rides!!

The park is divided into Holidays. There’s Christmas (of course!!), Halloween, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving. We decided to hit the 4th of July section. Here, we split up – DH and Lauren went to a ride like a gravitron, but I forget the name. Kathryn went to one of those rides that takes you up and drops you (like the ones Six Flags has retired due to that accident last year). I sat on a bench!! I don’t do either of those rides. I like people watching more.

Ron and Lauren were done first, and I saw them looking in my direction (for me, I think). They took off the other way – towards the ride Kathryn was on. I followed, feeling like a stalker. I finally caught up to them, and found out that 1) Ron can’t recognize his kid by her shoes (Kathryn was ON the ride – up in the air, and all you could see were feet – I knew she was there instantly) and 2) he can’t see me, even when he looks directly at me. He hadn’t seen me, even though he looked at me, I waved, and he nodded!!

Anyway – we then went to the Legend roller coaster (#2 in the world for quite a few years!!). I sat out. After that, it was in succession: Scrambler, the Swings again, and a few other rides I don’t remember. We decided to have an ice-cream. I had chocolate/vanilla swirl with sprinkles, DH had vanilla (boring), Kathryn had cherry with sprinkles, and Lauren had blue raspberry, with sprinkles. We were in the 4th of July area, so the red, white, and blue ice-cream made sense. We all purchased small cups since it was so hot, a cone would make too much of a mess. Then – we walked on over to Splashin’ Safari!!

And, then we were all Wet!

We pulled the bags out of the lockers, changed, put our clothes into the lockers and then – slathered on the sunscreen! We’re pale, pale people and burn like crazy. Not taking’ any chances on my babies’ skin!

Walked through most of the park to the ride we’ve wanted to try for 3 years, but for some reason never made it on – Zinga! Stood in line for about 15 minutes, when there was an announcement. “There has been a thunderstorm with lightening reported in the area. Some rides in Holiday World, and ALL attractions in Splashin’ Safari will be closed until the storm passes.” BUMMER. We decided to stay in the line. We were under a shelter they built over the walkway, and there was no metal nearby – perfect. Except – evidently, the rule is you have to be totally away from the ride! So, we went to the area right before the gate into the ride, and waited with everyone else. It started raining pretty hard, and boy – was it COLD! We were half tempted to leave and find our hotel, but decided we’ve waited for years to ride this ride – we’re waiting out this storm! There was no lightening, and the rain was over fairly quickly. They finally opened up the ride again, and we were up the four flights of stairs fairly quickly. I watched others getting their extra-large 4 man innertubes off the conveyor belt that carries them up from the pool at the end of the ride, and found out how to do it. There was an attendant in each of two little “pools” that both led to the tube we were to head down. We decided that Lauren would ride with me, and Kathryn with Ron (yes – 4 man tubes, but we’re a bit “fluffy”, so the weight limit was exceeded if all 4 of us rode). So, off we went – Lauren, my baby, sitting across from me, screaming and laughing the whole time! We quickly reached a section of the tube that is totally enclosed – and DARK. SCREAMS from Lauren must have been heard all over the park! She was headed backwards, and had no clue where we were going. We popped out of the tube, and into the “funnel”. The ride looks like a funnel on its side, with a tube coming into it, on the larger end. Then, we rode up one side, down it, up the other side, down it, up, down, up; down… you get the picture. Finally, we reached the pool at the end – and were laughing so hard I couldn’t stand up out of the tube. I had to fall out and CRAWL to the edge of the pool!!
Ron and Kathryn followed, having had just as much fun.
Next, we ventured over to the new wave pool! Oh, there is so much I can tell you about this pool!! It was like no other wave pool I’ve been in. There is a large peninsula built out into the pool, on the deep end. No-one is allowed there but the life guards. They pace around it, keeping an eye on everyone. Each “side” of the deep end has its own waves. They start at one end, then the center of the pool, then the other side. The waves are very strong and very big. I was body surfing on some of them! Best of all – the water was warm, but not too warm, and salty!! That meant – no sore eyes from chlorine!! After frolicking for what felt like hours, Ron and I made our way to the edge (zero entry) and sat in the very shallow water. The waves were still so strong, they knocked me over! Kathryn saw, started laughing and yelled “Free Willy”. I allowed her to live, because I know what she was referring to – John Pinette, a comedian, does a routine about him at the beach and Japanese tourists trying to return him to the ocean.
So, after that, we headed out to the lazy river. Just what we needed – a relaxing float around a ¼ mile lazy river. Except, my children didn’t receive the memo that it was supposed to be relaxing!! Lauren dumped me twice, and Kathryn steered me into the waterfall. And Ron pushed me into other people! So, not relaxing, but very fun!
While riding around, we saw a water ride called “Bakuli” that looked interesting. We walked towards it and still couldn’t figure out HOW it worked. There was a sign – “Observation Deck this way” – so off we went, to observe! Climbed up 3 flights – and it was basically like a funnel set upright. Ron and the girls were pretty excited about it. I was so-so. Looked like I would be playing “Flush me down the giant toilet” if I rode. Lauren decided she wasn’t interested after all – she wanted to get another of those free drinks. So, off Ron and Kathryn went – to be flushed, and I took Lauren to find a drink. The Pepsi Oasis was closed, so it was a clue to me that this ride Ron and Kathryn were on would be the last of the night. Lauren saw a children’s water play area and headed there – but she was out quickly. The water in it was freezing!!
Back to watch for Ron and Kathryn. There they were, on top of the deck, putting their innertube in the water. And – then, we heard Kathryn scream all the way down! She loved it!
It was a wonderful day, and we were pooped, so we made the decision to change into our (still wet from a river rapids ride we’d gone on before) back on and head out. As we were walking out of the park, we stopped to watch a diving show that is a regular part of the park’s entertainment. It’s amazing!!
Found the car easily, and after a small “discussion” about how to reach our hotel – headed there. We found the hotel, and after I ran in to check us all in, Kathryn and Lauren got a small education on what a Motel is! We rested a bit, and Lauren and I showered. Then – it was off to find dinner!

It’s Spaetzle!!

While I was looking for hotels, I ran across one that in their ad, said “we’re next to Schnitzelbank Restaurant”, and it sounded wonderful, so that’s where we headed. The park was in Santa Clause, our hotel in Huntingburg, and now we were headed to Jasper. Thank goodness for Mapquest! Found the place with little problem (other than Ron deciding that he could find the place better than Mapquest could get me there, and the U-turn I had to make!).
Oh – there is nothing so wonderful as well made schnitzel, goulash, potato pancakes, and spaetzle! Lauren and Ron split the Sampler Platter. On the on-line menu, it says it’s a choice of 3 meats – it can also come with all 8 meats, for 2 people. Each person also gets a salad and soup bar, and 2 sides – any of them!! Kathryn picked the small platter, and I just ordered the potato pancakes side order (2 pancakes), and a salad bar. There was so much food on our table, I was afraid it would fall down! Lauren was in hog heaven! This child loves meat – she ate a 16 oz. prime rib when she was 17 months old! We were there forever! But – it was all wonderful, and the staff was friendly as could be.
We perused the gift shop afterwards – and I really wanted one of the cuckoo-clocks, but it was $1900.00! We did leave with dessert, and very full bellies.
Returned to the hotel – and off to sleep.

Is it Over Yet?


(or: Isn’t Life Sweet?)

We woke up early, refreshed and ready for our day. But – what would we do? We talked about it while we ate our left over schnitzel and our godiva chocolate cheesecake from the Schnitzelbank (there was a fridge and a microwave in our room). The "hot breakfast" the hotel offered was standard fare - and no-where near as wonderful or sinful as our desserts, so we took some milk and juice and headed back to our room. We talked about returning to Holiday World, but I had to be at work at 5PM, and they’re an hour behind us. That means, we’d only be able to spend about 4 hours at the park before we left - and that’s if traffic went well would we make it on time. I remembered there was a Food Network show on Valentine’s Day sweets last year, and one of the places they talked about and showed was in southern Indiana. I had to find the Atlas to find the name of the town it was in, but we were quickly packed up and on our way to Jeffersonville (all the way on the EAST side of the state – Santa Claus is on the WEST side). Drove into Jeffersonville, and wound my way about for a while, heading the direction I thought Main Street would be (where else would an old shop be in a small town?). Ron finally convinced me to pull over and ask directions, even if I was having fun just guessing. We walked into a retail shop and asked the cashier. One of the customers was able to give us detailed directions: “Head south on the street you’re on, through 3 stop lights and a stop sign, and it’s in the middle of the block – about 3 doors down” if Ron had just let me keep driving, we’d have been there!!
Found the place, and it was wonderful! Here’s a link: http://www.schimpffs.com/ the owner’s wife showed us around the Museum part of the place. She was very nice, and explained a lot to us. The owners were making a local candy favorite, Modjeskas. They don’t sound tasty – but they are! They’re a specially made marshmallow coated with caramel. The shop will also dip them in chocolate – dark and milk. The candies are hand wrapped in wax paper, and packed by the dozens! Appears they are very popular. The owner’s wife was also very nice and let us sample some chocolates, and showed us a video on how they make their signature candy – red hots. This is nothing like the ones we’re all used to! They’re hand made, and cranked out in a roller form that is over 100 years old! The business has been in the same family for over 117 years!
Over to the shop side of the store, and there is an old-fashioned soda fountain! And a lunch counter! Since we were hungry, we order sandwiches and soup, and of course – old fashioned sodas. I didn’t realize these involved ice cream and whipped cream and syrup. Wow! Were they very sweet and rich! I could only finish about 1/3 of it. The egg salad sandwich I ordered was delish!
It was about time to wrap it up, but first, there was the have to stop – at the candy counter. We were overwhelmed! Everything looked so yummy and sinful! We finally ended up with a 4 pack of Turtles (we had watch a very older lady making some in the other section of the shop), a tin of red-hots, some Modjeskas, some Australian licorice, a couple of champagne bon-bons, and a solid chocolate dinosaur for Lauren.

It’s Home for Us

We headed home, full of talk about how much we enjoyed our one tank, 2 day trip around Indiana. Yep – by the time we arrived at our door, we had used exactly one tank of fuel! And, while we would have loved to be on “vacation” a bit longer, the kids said they had a wonderful time. Yet – we were all happy to be home. The dog and cats were much made over for leaving them so suddenly, and the clothes were unpacked and in the wash before I headed to work, taking Lauren with me, since she had Karate class that night. We took the tin of red-hots with us, and shared them with all the students and parents. All agreed – they were better than any red-hots they’d ever had!

[lauren-roxy]

Sounds like a great time!!

[JoanW]

Photos???

Duh! I just saw the title with the battery died. Darn!

I went as a kid when it was the original Santa Claus Land.

[Teresa]

Originally Posted by JoanW

Photos???

Ah - there's another story - no photos. Not one! We took my camera - with dead battery and no charger! Didn't think about the cell phones until later.

I can honestly say that this is the first time we've traveled as a family and not had a camera with us. and I LOVED it!

[Colexis Mom]

Glad you had a great time!! Thanks for sharing it with us

[chezp]

Sounds like you had a great time.

[taymaesmom]

Sounds like a great time!! We LOOOOOOOVVVEEE Holiday World! This is the first year since 1997 that we havent been! Oldest dd Taylor got to go with a school group but none of the rest of us made it. Now I am seriously considering trying to go next week before school starts. We love Splashin Safari the best, I love the big wave pool. One of the biggest perks is all the free drinks! And free parking!