I'm sporting a stylish flourescent-orange polka dot paper bracelet on my left wrist -- evidence of a day of fun at Waldameer Park and Waterworld.

Whenever we go there, the first thing my husband does when we get home is cut off his wristband. He always offers to cut mine off. I always pull away and say "No, not yet."

He laughs. He thinks it's silly that I like to leave my paper jewelry on for a while. I'm not sure why I like to leave it on. Maybe it's just because it's a visible reminder of a great summer day.

And, every day at Waldameer is a great day -- even if it ends with a 5-year-old with an upset stomach (the running to the bathroom kind), as it did for us today.

Why do we love Waldameer? Let me count the ways:

1. It's affordable. With the coupon in the paper (OK, I printed it off the web site, but...there should be one in the newspaper Thursday! ), it was just $14 for combo passes ($11.50 for the younger, shorter daughter). Total price for a family of four -- less than $55 (now, that's value Erieites can love! ).

2. It's kid-friendly. There are more than enough kiddie rides to wear out even the youngest of riders. The older the girls get, the more they can ride. Of course, the more rides we talk them onto, the less they want to ride -- for instance, the Whacky Shack, Pirates Cove and Log Flume ride are all OUT -- they've been there, done that & they've made it clear they won't be talked into that again!

3. You can bring in your own lunch. Most parks wouldn't dream of letting patrons bring in coolers full of food and drink. AFterall, food and drink is where many parks are making the big bucks -- charging $6 for cotton candy and $5 for a cup of pop. We brought our own sandwiches, chips, fruit and water. And, as always, we buy dessert at the concession stands -- we figure that it's only fair we spend a few of the dollars we saved there!

4. BYOB. You can pack -- and enjoy -- a nice cold beer in the picnic grove with your sandwiches, chips and fruit if you are so inclined. We, when on vacation, are always inclined.

5. No traffic and/or parking hassles. Even on the busiest day of the year, you are closer to an entrance than you are on the slowest day at a major park. And, forget about all those snaking, creeping lines of traffic you experience when leaving other parks -- just doesn't happen at Waldameer (except maybe on the nights they have free fireworks! ).

6. The views are amazing. Any ride that gets you way up in the air -- and you know there are LOTS of them at Waldameer -- offers stunning lake views. From the top of the Ferris wheel, Presque Isle and Lake Erie look so incredible that I can't help but feel blessed to live here.

Who can blame a person for wanting to hold onto a piece of that -- in the form of a stylish flourescent-orange wristband -- for a day or two?