Schlitterbahn water parks — usatoday.com

With water slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools providing loads of fun and welcome relief from summer's heat at myriad locations, it might seem that water parks have been around forever. Dating back to the late 1970s, however, they are a relatively recent concept. Among the industry's pioneers is Schlitterbahn. When the chain first dipped its toes in the water in New Braunfels, Texas, the notion of a water park was so new, the family that owns it had to make things up as it went along. (By the way, if you are wondering about the odd-sounding name, "Schlitterbahn" translates from German into "slippery road," and is a nod to the heritage of the people in the Texas Hill Country town.)

Read More