Me and My brother at Busch gardens.

Deciding to create the BGW Memories Facebook Community and Blog was not an easy decision.  I knew exactly how much effort and time would have to go into making this concept come to life.  Despite worrying about late night editing, networking, frequents updates, messages, responses, and the occasional mean-spirited comments sent my way, I felt compelled to make it all happen.

But why?

If you are reading this, then you have the answer:  You

We all go through our lives hoping to make a connection with others.  We seek out people who have similar likes and interests.  We want to know that we are not alone.

Often we look to our past in order to help us find these connections.  What city we grew up in, what schools we attended, what ancestry we shared; are all bonds formed among a group of individuals.

Since 1975, millions of people share the wonderful experience of visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg.  I am proud to be one of them.

I have always lived near Busch Gardens Williamsburg.  It was my constant, my babysitter, and my best friend.  Many kids go to a summer camp.  I went to Busch Gardens.  In the 80’s my parents would drop my brother and I off at the park and we would roam freely around during the summer.  It was heaven!

Me flying the red Baron plane.

For that reason, I decided to reach out to others like me and form a kinship by creating BGW Memories.   It is my hope that by preserving the past, we will strengthen the bonds between generations of park goers.

I am already thrilled that so many people have responded.  What is even more amazing is that some kinships have already become friendships!  There is one friend in particular I would like to mention.  His name is Gary Terrell.

Since Gary first posted photos and stories here at BGW Memories, I was instantly drawn to how much we were alike.  I thought to myself, “Here is a person that remembers those long forgotten details of the past and loves them as much as I do!”  In fact, many of the photos shared here came from his collection.

Gary helping his son at the Battlements Shooting Gallery.

One item he sent to me recently was a video of his family visiting Busch Gardens in the 90s. When I watched the film, the happiness I heard in his voice and the smiles I saw on his wife and son’s faces brought such joy to my heart.  It also brought me back to my own childhood.

It was me waving to my mom and dad in the Little Balloon ride.  It me sitting on the battlements shooting gallery in Hastings.  And when Gary asks his son where he is on the video, I can visualize me looking up at my dad at that age saying “Busch Gardens!”

By sharing such a wonderful moment from his life,  Gary helped me to remember my past as well; a truly priceless gift.

Me smiling up at my mom in the Ball Pit at Eagles Nest.

So to all the people who wish to find a connection to their past at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, you are not alone.   In fact, you may be holding that missing piece of history that someone out there has been searching for.  

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