carolinacaniac

Ghost Town is actually in Maggie Valley in the mountains and Deadwood is in the Coastal Plains region, which is on the other side of the state. I would guess that it is a 6 hour drive or so. I would bet that the closest major park is Busch Gardens Europe. Ginzo: If I recall, I believe that the dinner show is one that has been performed in Deadwood, South Dakota for a good while. While most of the park is based on the town of Deadwood, the section with the Roller Coaster, and where the two rides that are being built is based on the Badlands, where you can find all sorts of fossils. -Gary T. The sign near the roller coaster, I forgot to post it before, but this is where you get to the area with the roller coaster, and the two rides under construction.

I appreciate the compliments! I would have to say that finding this place was like Christopher Columbus discovering the New World..........While Chris and I didn't know it, these places did exist, we just happen to be the ones to brag about finding it! If the Big Mike Road Show makes a stop sometime to check it out, I would love to be there to witness the Roadshow's first stop ever in Eastern North Carolina!!! *UPDATE* - Deadwood is now listed on RCDB here

Hey everyone, Before I get into the description of this place and the pictures, allow me to share a story. Back when I got my Garmin as a birthday present, I played around with it to see what could be found with the different features. One of the types of places you can find include theme parks, however, many of the places that will come up for beign nearby are your typical FEC's, although it does list the major parks nearby if there are any near your location. From our apartment, the nearest place that comes up is the Greenville Fun Park, which is a slightly run down FEC with go karts. The next place listed is Deadwood, our featured destination which, at the time I checked out the Garmin, I assumed was another regular FEC. Fast forward to a few weekends ago, I went with my older sister Katie and our friend Brandon to checkout the haunted corn field that is put on by some volunteer fire fighters, and I thought it would be cool to see if I could find some other haunted attractions nearby. When I searched the internet, I found a link to the Deadwood Haunted House, I made the connection that this was the same place as what was listed on the Garmin, so I searched Yahoo, and found the Deadwood website. It so happens that Deadwood is actually a small park that was built by a father and son, by the names of Ira and Derek Price, who were former construction workers. The place started as a miniture golf course, and they eventually added other attractions like the Iron Horse Express miniture train, a coin-operated merry-go-round, and the Dinosaur Canyon roller coaster. Deadwood also features a resturant and an ice cream shop. About once a month, the Prices, along with a few others, put on a dinner theater performance about the trial of Jack McCall. While not the largest place in the world, it is certainly a neat place, with a lot of attention to detail made on the part of the Prices in constructing the buildings. According to an article that I had read, they are planning on adding a canoe ride and some sort of a spinning ride (which I have "EXCLUSIVE" construction pictures of). Now in regards to the channeling Big Mike, as many of you know, He had covered many parks that were not listed on Theme Park Review, and I felt that the best way to pay tribute to his contributions was to follow in his footsteps, and share this undiscovered park wtih the TPR crew! I am also going to send links, pics and some info to RCDB as this place is not even listed in the database! For an interesting read or too about the park, here is an article that was featured in Our State Magazine. For my personal experiences at the place, I stopped by for a bit during their Halloween event to check the place out. The resturant was packed, and the place was pretty busy with people wanting to checkout the haunted house and ghost train. I took a ride on the train that night, and it was pretty fun with a lot of random characters walking about to scare the passengers. This past weekend, Melissa and I took Isabella (my older sister's daughter) for a few hours. We took a couple spins on the train, Dinosaur Canyon (Credit #166), some playground time, and a bit of ice cream. In the future, Melissa and I are going to check out the dinner theatre, and the resturant itself. Now that I got all of that out of the way, here are the pictures, and I hope you all enjoy! -Gary "here's to Big Mike" T. .....here are the prices to the park's two main attractions! Thanks for checking it out, hope you all enjoyed! And while the road would be a fitting end to a normal Gary made Photo TR, this is partially in tribute of Big Mike, so............... ....and one more ......................... And a few shots from the parking lot........ Running across the bridge She could be training for American Gladiators at a young age, you never know! Tire Swing! They also have a very well done playground right next to the resturant. How many resturants that are not in the fast food sector can you think of that have playgrounds right outside? The miniture golf course, how this place got its start And beside that is the work in progress for the canoe ride Here is the work in progress for the spinning ride, located next to Dinosaur Canyon Random gnomes in a tub As seen from the Caboose Riding the Caboose! Izzy B with Aunt Melissa! Izzy B rides the Merry Go Round Ready to go! Izzy B and I are waiting for our turn. You can also go to the other side, and take a spin on the Dinosaur Canyon roller coaster Once you leave the Ice Cream shop, the kids can take a ride on the mini merry-go-round ...and comic books! In the gift shop, you can get a Deadwood t shirt....... Izzy B having some strawberry ice cream Another view of the ice cream shop, arcade, and gift shop The ice cream shop Some of the really well done buildings The outside of the resturant Just through the side doors, you will find the resturant Here is the stage where the show takes place When you enter, you are greeted by this sign This is the building that houses "The Trial of Jack McCall" dinner show ........like Greenville They have this neat sign that shows the distances to other places......... Iron Horse Express During the haunted train ride, this dude eats people!!!!!! Of course where there are aliens, there are UFOs nearby! and Aliens (left overs from the Haunted Train) More random things on the train route, like tipis Izzy B loved the train! One the train, you can see many random statues, such as this pig If only they were all called that This is the general central area of Deadwood, from the train As am I with Isabella Melissa is ready for a ride on the Iron Horse Express Welcome to Deadwood When you arrive to the parking lot, you pass by this building. So here we are at Deadwood, located in Bear Grass, NC. About half an hour from our apartment in Greenville.

See, and here I thought that insted of having fun with the deposit, I simply sent in the sign-up sheet and deposit with a blank sheet (just to help keep the information from showing through the envelope)......oh well, maybe the next payment will be different

^Thanks for the laugh Guy, that is just what I needed before heading into another workday/night class combo! -Gary T.

I would believe that it is the speedpark in Sevierville, Tennessee (Just outside of Pigeon Forge) since it has a credit while most others do not (the Myrtle Beach Location has two of the old Pavilion coasters sitting in the parking lot in pieces), and I think you have the right Schlitterbahn.

I have my deposit check in the mail for the Texas trip!! I have been wanting to do a TPR trip for a couple years now, and it looks like the time has finally come! -Gary T.

Since that stupid hurricane had to ruin the day at Hard Rock Park, I am all for another season of the Big Mike Roadshow!!! Would love to get a chance wo meet up with you and hang out Big Mike!!!!!!! -Gary T.

I also thought that the Coaster at Playland had the same trains as the Puyallup Coaster. I didn't realize there were as many connections between the two rides as there are, but it makes sence as there are some simmilarities between the appearance of the two. -Gary T.

From what I remember, it was originally built in the 30's as a side friction coaster. Not too long after that, it suffered a great deal of damage from a fire. I want to say that it was in the 40's or 50's that they converted it to a traditional roller coaster (with the upstop fins on the bottom). In regards to the coaster collect at the Puyallup Fair, they also have a Wildcat (same model as the one at Cedar Point I believe), a few kiddie coasters and Kersplash, a portable Miler water coaster which is actually listed on the ITAL website. The link is listed below: Kersplash listing on the ITAL site -Gary T.

Here in Greenville, NC, we have a few stations sitting at $2.99 -Gary T.

Man do I miss the Puyallup! Every time we went was a blast! The only bummer is that I have only ridden the Coaster once, and that was when I was about 9 or 10. But man, Shane has it right! The food there is always great. I remember when you could get the giant cookie they called "cow chips" and you would get the sticker proclaiming that you ate a cow chip. I have always praised the Puyallup Fair, for they always have good shows, great food, and some fun rides! Anyone who happens to be in Western Washington when the Puyallup is going on should make a day of it. -Gary T.

It is kind of neat to see the way they changed the old Wyandot Lake area. I find it to be an interesting move that they seperated the dry rides from the waterpark. Great pictures! I would love to check out the zoo.

"My name is Chris Haaaaaansen"! Yeah, that one is freakin' awesome!!!!! I also dig The Count on 10-Inversion.

Since I think that my parks for the year are done for other than a possible credit ho run, here is my list: -Six Flags Over Georgia (March, August) -Kennywood (May) -Adventure Park USA (June) -Planet Fun (June) -Six Flags America (June) -Busch Gardens Europe (June, October) -Go-Karts Plus (June) -Cedar Point (July) -Hard Rock Park (August) -Adventure Crossing (August) -Kings Dominion (September) -Gary T.

Great pictures! Certainly helps to make this place look like a good time! Just out of curiousity, I know that Stricker's is uaually open for only two days to the public. If you don't mind my asking, what was the occasion for the park being open? -Gary T.

Here is my official entry Silly Sperm on Wacky Worm

That's just crazy! Not to promote the idea of suicide or anthing like that, but there must be more effective and quicker ways to do it than running into traffic. On another note, I am a bit surprised that the U.S. police forces are not put under tighter leashes with all of the news stories that come about police brutality complaints.

Here is my first try, Not sure if I wanna make it my entry yet or not though. Mullets on the Bullet!

Looks like a good time on the show! I always thought it would be cool to see the Tonight Show live.

Canobie Coaster: Yeah, it is actually two inflatable obstacle courses, one for adults/big kids and one for younger kids. This along with the Garage Jam are part of what made HRP fun for to me. Electerick & Capitalize: You two are both right, that is actually the old Pavilion site. While I know progess sometimes takes a while and that it may be an even slower one with the economy as it is right now, it is still kind of a bummer that it is just a open plot of grass now. The garage that served the park is also sitting empty, which surprises me as I would have thought they would at least try to use it for some of the beach goers. Thanks again to everyone for checking out my TR! -Gary T.

here is part 2 Awww, arn't they just so cute? That completes this PTR. Thanks for checking it out. I hope you enjoyed it! -Gary T. Wish we stuck around a little longer for the park at night, although we had a four hour drive home to go. Just a swingin' Cow patties as food, not such a good idea. Creepy bears!!!! I still love these signs! Kellen and Kari, sniping little kids at Garage Jam! Of course Kellen decided that these shrooms were harmless to eat. Back at the park, it is time for fun with Shrooms!!! R.I.P. Pavilion......I really did enjoy the place the one time I went. While it is currently known as Fudruckers, Kellen reminded me of the fact that in 500 years it will become Buttf***ers! Trivia time!!!!!! What used to sit on this plot of land? First person to get the correct answer, and we both happen to do a TPR trip in '09, I will personally give you a cookie!!!! Ummm........if only all candy was served this way!!!! With a side of Hendrix!!! BACK TO BACK!!! The only problem is I never learned to play, so I just get right to the smashing!!!!! Oh yeah!!!!!! But first it's time for some air guitars!!!!!! On our way out for a break from the park. And now back to our regularly schedule program of Led Zeppelin!!!! Another signature shot, but still not as recognized as Cinderella's Castle. Eagles in the Dark. Looks like a hard ass to me. Oh yeah, hes bad!!!! Eagles For some reason, I get a kick out of roller skaters from Vekoma. Shake Rattle and Roll on for the credit. Heh, heh, It says Lub...... Hang one dude!!! Looks like Kari got the R. Kelly treatment. Man, I think R. Kelly would be jelous! Lady Liberty Rockin' Out! I wonder how much a call back to the states would cost? The whole ride Katie is ready for the CRAZY CAB!!!! So yeah, I guess everyone can know that when it comes to Kellen and I in our homo-step-insestual relationship, I tend to be the catcher. Katie is Punkin' it Out! Punk Pit, a place that I could spend a good hour just goofing around in. The buildings are really cool in the back of the park. Katie and Kari, lost in "London"

Hey everybody, These pictures are from a trip to Hard Rock Park that I took with my older sister Katie, my Step-Brother Kellen, and his girlfriend Kari back in August. I hadn't had a chance to load these pictures to the computer as I had been pretty well tied up for a bit with classes starting shortly after this trip. Now that I have a bit of a break, I thought I would share these pics with everyone here in the TPR gang. On the day that we went, it was a nice and sunny day, about the mid 80's or so, and I have to admit that I have a real soft spot for the place! While I know that the complaints people have had about the pricing or lack of rides are valid complaints abou the park, I just really enjoyed the place for what it is. I personally thought it was worth the $45 or so that we each paid. Here is what I thought about the coasters and rides (The number represents my coaster count at the time of gaining that ride): Led Zeppelin (#153): While not very intense, I thought that it was a fun ride, certainly re-ridable. I thik that having the pre-ride video is a neat touch, but it is a bit repetative when you wish to go for multiple rides. Maximum RPM (#154): The karaoke idea is awesome!!!! What a great way to kill time in line than for someone to make an ass of theirself! The ride itself was another fun ride. I thought the farris wheel lift was a cool touch, although I think it would have been better if they had it face the middle of the park to get a great view of the whole park. Slippery When Wet (#155): An okay ride, I think Kari got the wettest from one of the off ride sprayers, but the brakes were pretty rough. Shake Rattle & Rollercoaster (#156): Typical vekoma junior coaster, while small, these can be fun little rides. Eagles Life in the Fast Lane (#157): The layout is decent, I thought it made for a fairly smooth mine ride type of coaster, although as has been well documented, added theming could make a great improvement. Nights in White Satin: AWESOMNESS IN THE DARK!!!!!! I just thought it was a really cool ride. The music fit the ride very well, although I have to admit that I had never listened to the song before. Other things that I thought made the park pretty cool was the scenery in the entry plaza as well as the British Invasion area. We also had a blast with the Punk Pit and Garage Jam. We didn't get a chance to try the food as we decided to head out for lunch, where we ate at Fudruckers. Now that you know a bit about what I thought of the park, here are the pictures. Thanks for checking it out! And here, Kellen tries to become the King of Rock, by taking AXEcaliber from the stone. When you have the visual enchancment device (glasses), these lights can be pretty trippy. Probably one of the coolest rides in the park. Watch the car go zoooooooom! The farris wheel lift. (Best way to scare your friends when behind you.....tell them you don't think the track is aligned right when it starts to roll). Maximum RPM's cute little knock-off italian jo....errr.....Backlot Stunt Coaster cars. Plug your ears......got it. No crowd surfing.....check For the entertainment of everyone in line.......for one night only..........KELLEN!!! Karaoke!!!!!! Sweet!!!! And know, a break from the regularly scheduled pictures of Led Zeppelin. Led Zeppelin-The Signature Shot! Kellen plays Stairway to Heaven on the water guitar......a little foreshadowing for the park perhaps? Led Zeppelin-The Turn!! Led Zeppelin-The Lift Hill!!! Led Zeppelin-The Loop through Trees and Water Guitar! Led Zeppelin-The Flat Spin! Have you hugged your B&M lately??? Hard to tell, but Kellen is overly enthusiastic for the "live" Led Zeppelin concert.......he was just as excited the other three times!!!" It is pretty cool how close you can get to the ride in the line. "What is your name?.........What is your quest?.............What is airspeed velocity of a Swallow?!?!?!?" Led Zeppelin-The Entrance Area!!!! Worshiping fools at Rock n Roll Heaven!!!!! The symbol that was intended to be as recognizable as Cinderella's Castle, but alas, to no avail. We siblings are in full approval of a nuclear weapons free park!!!!! AHHH!!!! They don't want to let me in!!!! And here we are at the entrance area. Yes, this day, like many others, was a slow day. I don't think I have ever been to a park where they only had two windows open. But hey, we didn't have to wait long! Following the crew, time for a HARD ROCKIN' TIME. Rockin' Fence!!!!!!! We're here! Well now, what could this be? With a special guest appearance by Garmin!! And your's truly. Kellen.............um.........yeah. Kari, who was rockin' out before we even got to the park. Introducing the cast: Here we have Katie, who is chilin' out

Last I had heard, they donated the ride to the Save Libertyland group. It was also at some point planned to be moved and included in the Pyramid redevelopment project until it was shot down for the Bass Pro Shop deal.

Give HRP some Aloe for that BURN!!!!!! I think it really is cool when you get to go up close to the rides. I know that one of the coolest part about working on Mantis at CP was checking the low zones at the end of the night for lost items, you literally had to duck under parts of the track to get to the other side.