Real Mermaids – Part 3 October 7, 2009

When we exited the theatre, there was a mermaid sitting on a rock. You could ask to take pictures with her.  I liked her pink tail best of all.

At the park, we went on a boat ride, looked at all kinds of exotic animals, and then we had lunch followed by cake and presents. All throughout the park there where signs that read “Happy Birthday Caitlin,” which was very exciting. I distinctly remember my birthday crown, which had a spot to place a sticker of your age.

One of my favorite gifts that I recieved that year were my “Beauty and the Beast” Barbie dolls. The Beast was actually a prince doll with a Beast costume you could make him wear, and Belle came with both her blue dress and gold ball gown. I loved those dolls like Andy loved Woody and Buzz.

All and all, it was a very memorable day. Years later, during the Christmas before my eighteenth birthday, in my stocking, Santa stuck a job application to be a Weeki Wachee mermaid. I guess he must have remembered when I wanted to be a mermaid professionally.

Real Mermaids – Part 2 October 7, 2009

At the park, the first thing I wanted to do was watch the Mermaid Show.  It was magical…or at least it was to a four-year-old girl.  We sat in a theatre, and where there should have been a stage, there was a viewing glass instead. On the opposite side of the glass were giant rocks, fishes, plants, and anything else you would expect to see in a natural Florida spring. The show began, and mermaids appeared. The women danced under the water so gracefully. They had long wands that they would breathe though.

The storyline followed the plot of “The Little Mermaid” pretty closely. A little mermaid longed to live above lands, saves a human prince, and asks a sea witch to give her legs. The prince and the little mermaid did some acting outside of the water, inside of the theatre. It is  in front of the glass, where they have to battle the sea witch. Everyone lived happily ever after.

I knew, when I grew-up, I was going to be a mermaid…a real mermaid.

Real Mermaids – Part 1 October 7, 2009

When I was a little girl, people would asked me what I wanted to be when I grew-up, and I said, “A Mermaid.” Here is why…

At Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, there is a live underwater mermaid show that has delighted visitors since 1947. Even Elvis wanted to witness the mermaid magic at Weeki Wachee when he went to see the mermaids perform while he was in Florida filming a movie.  I had my fourth birthday party at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.

It was a cold March day, and I wanted to where my Disney “The Little Mermaid” outfit. My mom said it was too cold to wear a cotton skirt, but I refused to wear anything else, so she had me put on tights to kept my legs warm. My family loaded into our red SUV and we were off to the park. As we pulled up, I saw my name on the big marquee out front. “Happy Birthday Caitlin.” I knew it was going to be a great birthday.