A Day At Gilroy Gardens

A Morning at Gilroy Gardens

Many-many years ago, I worked at Gilroy Gardens. It was my first job – and at that time it was actually called Bonfante Gardens. I was trained to operate 3 rides: The Banana Ride, the Carousel, and the spinning cups. For a teenager, the pay was pretty good and I got a number of free park passes to give to friends and family. Fast forward almost twenty years and it is one of the places we love to take our daughter – Baby Brooke 🙂 Brooke is 3 and she doesn’t particularly like being called a baby anymore but I explain to her that no matter how big she gets, she will always be Daddy’s baby girl. She accepts it for now!

            

Brooke’s favorite rides are the Strawberry Ride, the Fish Ride, and the Carousel. I’m not even sure if these are the actual names of the rides! She is just tall enough to go on most of the rides – but is a little scared of the one miniature roller coaster. At this point, the banana ride is out of the question. I think it is the only ride in the park that adults are a little nervous to go on!

ICEE Time

I think the Icees are Brooke’s favorite thing about the park. When I ask her what she wants in it, she pretty much wants all of the flavors – which is understandable, but not a good idea. Lemon doesn’t go well with any other flavor.  I usually override her selection and go with blue-and-red (blueberry and cherry???).

            

Being a Dad is the funnest, most challenging thing that I have experienced. It has taught me a LOT of patience. It’s changed my perspective on pretty much everything I see and do. And I’ve adjusted to life with little to no piece-and-quiet! I am amazed at how Brooke wakes up each morning with so much energy. There is ZERO buffer time and all she wants to do is run-and-play. All day! And I love it.

    

I picture what Brooke will be like when she gets older. Walking her down the aisle and being there for all of her “firsts.” I was the first person to call her by her name. I was the first person to take her picture, hold her hand, tell her that they loved her; and God willing I will be the first person she shares a margarita with when she turns 21. For now, she thinks her milk is a “baby margarita,” and she still lets me call her “Baby Brooke.” I’ll take that for as long as I can and I suppose I will learn to adjust – when the day comes that she is no longer a “baby.”