Sep. 14--For the last few weeks, Mother Nature's been drop-kicking summer with autumn weather. The sunny season seems to be slipping away. But it hasn't gone completely, so don't let these breezy days trick you into closing the door on summer fun.

It's already harder for adults to have a summer as carefree and exciting as a student's summer vacation. So we can't fret over these faux fall days.

For some grown-ups, a summer vacay is an out-of-town trip or a day at the spa. But when a friend invited me to Schlitterbahn Vacation Village in KCK, I couldn't resist. Nothing says summer quite like the splish and splash of water.

It's been open for a few months, but I had yet to experience the water park, and it's closing for the season this Sunday. The place wasn't packed with people the way I'm used to at Oceans of Fun. In fact, there wasn't much of a wait anywhere, making it that much easier to get around.

The park is far from complete, but by next summer it should look more like a full-fledged resort.

We dragged our tubes up a few slippery, dirty flights of steps to get atop the 42-foot tower that houses a sliding three-pack. I don't have the energy of a 9-year-old, so it felt like an awful lot of work to play.

But after the first, speedy splash down the twisted Bahnzai Pipeline, I had no problem rushing back up those steps to try the other two. I even forgave them for the depressing country music on the sound system. (Note to management: At least play the upbeat stuff.)

The Wolfpack really showed my age. Its topsy-turvy style of spinning you around stole my sense of control. I found myself backward and unable to brace myself for the bumps along the ride. But the Black Knight, a dark and fully enclosed water slide, won me over with its mysterious rush.

Unfortunately, there is another mystery -- only it's not so much fun. I'm not sure about the secret in the lives of bees. But in the park they were buzzing around everywhere, waiting outside the slides and along the walkway. I narrowly escaped a sting or two or three.

Thankfully, though, not even a gang of bees can ruin a coast along the cool waters of Schlitterbahn. If a grown-up ever needed a summer vacation, the long, relaxing lazy rivers are the place to be.

At one point, we looked like a bunch of doughnuts on a conveyer belt, just waiting to be dipped. Only Krispy Kreme has nothing on the Storm Blaster.

Our lazy float wasn't just about relaxing. We were waiting in line for what can only be described as a water-coaster. You just drift along until you and your tube are dragged up a conveyor to a launch tower. As I watched my friend in front of me just drop out of sight, I got scared.

I thought I was here to relax, not catapulted into some unknown water world. I hadn't even thought about finding out where it is this thing takes us.

I gripped my tube tightly as I approached the top. Then came the drop: three stories down, sliding into a series of peaks and plunges until slipping into a dark, twisty tunnel that ends in a pool of water.

They say life is like a roller coaster. But I hate those things. After the Storm Blaster, which can only be described as scary, unexpected and exciting, I'd say life is like a water coaster.

Jenee Osterheldt's column runs in FYI on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. To reach her, call 816-234-4380 or e-mail josterheldt@kcstar.com.

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