Two weeks ago, the lifeguards were training in 72-degree water.

Did you know we post Splashin' Safari's average water temperature on our website? Here's the link straight to it on our Rules & Services page.

We also post it on our Twitter page.

And yes, the water is considerably warmer after this week of lovely weather and temps in the 80s.

Dripping wet!

Here's the link to the video report of Mrs. Koch riding Pilgrims Plunge with Keith from Fox 41. Just click on "Taking the Plunge at Holiday World."

Do you think Mrs. Koch is crazy to ride Pilgrims Plunge again--twice?

After all, she'd just gotten her hair done this morning.

Well, Keith and Eric from Fox 41 in Louisville were here. It would have been sort of rude to refuse.

Keith had special permission to ride with a video camera taped to his hand.

He and Eric were taking a look at the footage afterwards. Tiny Mrs. Koch nearly had to leap in the air to see, too.

The footage and interviews they shot will be on 41's Fox in the Morning show on Wednesday.

When I was a kid and mom asked, "What kind of birthday cake do you want?" it meant chocolate or vanilla.

When Spencer was asked that question recently, just before he turned 8, he had a very different request.

His mom, Melissa, emailed this today:

Our family enjoyed opening day at the park this year. My oldest son was kind enough to ride Pilgrim’s Plunge twice (once with each parent). He then decided that is what he wanted for his birthday cake. I have attached the pictures.

How cool is this cake?

Here's a close-up of the frosting splashdown:

Still have to wonder, though ... chocolate or vanilla?

In the four years we've hosted the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes, we've seen a lot of walkers.

About 1,430 today.

Raised about $275,000 today. Thanks to all who helped make this possible.

In the four years we've hosted the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes, we've seen a lot of walkers.

About 1,430 today.

Raised about $275,000 today. Thanks to all who helped make this possible.

Click on the arrow to see a full album of Pilgrims Plunge photos.

http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649

Here's a straight-on view of a Pilgrims Plunge boat taking...uh, the plunge.

A beautiful day to take a ride...

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/nh5NhTxX2R4&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x...

Years and years ago, I used to work for a guy who would suddenly pop on a red clown's nose during a meeting.

Just...out of the blue.

He only did it front of me once and I guess my non-poker face was such that he immediately removed it.

Fast-forward 20 years.

And then there's this:

We were holding a marketing/PR meeting for the new LINCOLN drama which opens this summer at Lincoln Amphitheatre. The meeting was over at Melissa's office at the Spencer County Visitors Bureau.

All of a sudden, Will reached over and picked up a little furry critter, or so I thought. It was mostly hidden behind the coffee maker and cups.

It wasn't a little toy, it was a beard.

Melissa joyously added a stovepipe hat to complete the ensemble.

No, we weren't done yet. Our commander in chief then solemnly whipped out his iPhone to tweet.

(At this point, I can just hear Melissa wailing, "No fair! Will already has more 'followers' than me! I've been on Twitter for months and he just started!" So here is a link to follow her tweets about tourism in Spencer County.)

Abe on an iPhone was too hard to resist; had to take a second photo.

Launching a new play for Lincoln Amphitheatre has been an incredible undertaking. And it's a month away from the World Premiere.

The sets, built within spittin' distance of Broadway, are arriving. The actors will be here in a week; our artistic director is Scott Lank from the University of Evansville acclaimed theater department. Our playwright, Ken Jones, will be on site soon (coming from Kentucky, which seems fitting; didn't Lincoln do the same?).

Our 16th president "belongs to the ages" now. But once, he was a little boy trying desperately to be a man as his family carved a home out of the dense woods of southern Indiana. His beloved "angel mother" died here when Abe was just nine years old.

All those stories you've heard about young Abraham ... his honesty and hard work? Walking miles and miles to return a few pennies? It all happened here in Spencer County, Indiana. Just four miles from where the town of Santa Claus would soon be named.

We believe it was here that Abraham Lincoln's character was truly forged. Those excruciating decisions he made in the White House were guided by lessons he learned here in Indiana, during his boyhood years of seven through 21.

As you make your plans to come visit us here at Holiday World this summer, please consider adding LINCOLN to your itinerary. Whether you're a history buff, a fan of theater, or just a family looking for an evening's inspiring entertainment (not to mention a great meal), LINCOLN's just the ticket.

Honest.