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This weekend I took a day trip to Pigeon Forge and the Gatlinburg area. I had a taste for some mounting coastering and food from the local goat. First stop, Rocky Top Mountain coaster. it was fun but I felt like it had too many lifts on the course. Combine that with the fact that it was busy and the carts were being sent out one behind the other so that slowed you down as well. Next stop, Smoky Mountain Alpine coaster. This one was much better to me as I had some space between myself and the other cart and I was hauling! Also the greenery around it has really grown in so you felt like you were far away from civilization. Next stop, Rowdy Bear Ridge. This area consist of 3 attractions; suspended flying coaster shooting ride, a tubing hill and a recently opened powered alpine coaster! Now I really came for the powered alpine coaster because it seemed neat. While it does go up to 35mph, the layout is rather tame. With that said, it allows for a smaller height requirement to ride alone. Here's A POV I took. . . Finally, time to eat. The local goat is one of the best places I've eaten in the area. The food is fresh and a lot of stuff is made in house. I settled on the Elvis burger this time. Overall it was a great day trip and I can't wait to go back!!

I'm just not sure what to make of the updates I am seeing in the various Facebook groups I am a part of. Certainly making some headway getting rid of some stuff. Clearly the Midway was in disrepair and it was hard to see a scenario where it would be lively and attractive. So I get taking it out. It leaves significantly less *park.* They removed Witches Stew and the Kiddie Carousel. If the park keeps the Blue Streak, Devil's Den, Carousel, and Tumble Bug, plus Kiddieland, I would be happy. The other rides are obviously replaceable, though I'm not sure that the intent is to do that. As for Blue Streak, I've enjoyed my rides on it recently. But, no doubt, it is sketchy. And the trains need work or replaced. The park has one thing going for it; there are devoted folks who want to see it succeed. That doesn't mean that there are the crowds at the moment to support that mission. But, if the new owner is smart, he would at least let those folks keep things clean on a volunteer basis.

Just got an email that Coasterstock will be taking place July 9th and 10th. Tickets to go on sale "soon"

I'll wait a month and then determine how risky it would be to make a visit. Cmon Dollywood!

Flying out one month from today. Praying Gwazi is open by then.

Couldn’t that have been for the New York New York coaster though??

Nice report. That’s cool that they’re alerting guests of changing elevations. If only there were some kind of ride that could magically take guests up or down that steep hill near Lickskillet on like a cable or something... that would be some crazy sh*t, right?