65skylark

Here is a link to my Enchanted Forest video form a couple years ago http://themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=33039 Thought some of you might enjoy seeing some video of this park. So moving on to Oaks Park. We were at EF for all of maybe two hours. We stopped for lunch on the drive up to Oaks and arrived at about 1pm. Oaks Park is even smaller than EF but it is a lot older and has a bit more history to it. I actually did a fairly detailed PTR of this park last year so I'll keep this one short and sweet. After Oaks we headed into downtown Portland for a while, got some diner and then headed back home. The kids decided to get a picture with this creepy statue of one of Portland's former mayors. We made it across the bride without jumping. Looking back at some of the Portland skyline. 24 hour suicide counseling. I wonder if that sign has ever actually stopped someone from jumping. I'm thinking no. And looking North. That first bridge you see would be our part of our return route. Looking South from the start of our journey. One of Portland's nick names is "bridge town". The Willamette river runs through the middle of Portland and there are a lot of bridges. We decided to walk across this one. So after we finished at Oaks we headed down to the water front and then decided we'd go for a walk around some of downtown since it was such a nice day. So that pretty much sums up Oaks Park. We certainly do not have much a selection when it comes to theme parks here in the Pacific Northwest but I guess what we do have is actually pretty unique. A miniature train travels around the picnic area. A lot of people come here just to picnic. I actually took this picture last year if your wondering where the sun and the people went. They also have an old dance hall that I have never been in. In front of the skating rink and looking down the midway you can just about see the entire park. There is no admission to get in and an all day rist band is only 14 bucks (mine was free because it was Fathers Day) so it is really a pretty inexpensive visit. Worth doing of you happen to find yourself in Portland, OR. A look inside. Every park needs a little safe, wholesome, family fun, don't you think? But it is most known for its old roller skating rink. For the true theme park geek, Oaks is really about two things. One is the classic scooters. Screamin Eagle is great. I love these things! This part is kinda smooth. The rest, not so much. Poor innocent children. Speaking of excited! Who wouldn't be excited to ride one of these? As you can see we are VERY excited to have a disco at our home park. The disco hadn't been installed yet on our Fathers Day trip last year. The Rock O Plane may be in danger at Thrill-ville but it is still up and running here. This thing has been here since I was a kid. Oaks Park this way.

This PTR is a little late, but, better late than never............ On Father's Day, my family and I decided to get totally crazy and hit every single theme park in the state of Oregon! That's right people, all two of them. Well, three if you count the now defunct Thrill-ville USA. First stop was Enchanted Forest. This is a pretty groovy little park about an hours drive south of Portland. It is located right off I-5 and if you blink you'd miss it as you drive by. Most of the park is made up of walk through attractions with a few "larger" rides. A really great log flume, an interesting interactive dark ride, and probably one of the strangest coasters on the planet. I tried to get a good selection of pictures showing a lot of what this park has since it is rarely seen by most people. Enjoy! It's amazing how fast a ride can deteriorate when it is just left sitting. Anyway, that is all there is of Thrill-ville. It was basically just a few rides plopped down in a parking lot so no big loss, IMO. I do hope The Ripper survieves, though. Up next, Oaks Park.......... A few final shots of The Ripper. Giant slide and Rock O Plane. There's a kiddie coaster credit I never got back there. Partially dismanteled rides. A look towards the back of the park where the go cart track and water slides are. Looking down from the road. The Ripper. Hopefully this will find a home somewhere. As we left, I took a few pictures of Thrill-ville USA. Or what's left of it. So that wraps up our day at Enchanted Forest. We always have fun at this park even though it is small. Glad we got those ponchos. And the final drop! Down a small water fall before heading to the "coaster" section of the ride. Then you wind around through the forest a bit. Inside the saw mill. Credit? RCDB counts it, Coaster Fanatics counts it, and we all know Jeff would count it, so I'm counting it, too! Look at my freakin ride list people. I need all the credits I can get. Up the lift into the saw mill. They even provide you with FREE ponchos. It wasn't very hot and you do get wet so we were more than happy to use them. And finally we finish the day with their log flume. One of the best I have ever been on. It is one of them super cool trackless rides. Not sure who made it. Sally maybe? I know everything you see inside the ride was done in house as almost everything in this park is. Now we head over to English Village for Challenge of Mondor. And finally you pass back by the mountain and then over some of the park and into the station. It really is an interesting coaster and more exciting than it looks. Then it's up the second lift hill. Some low to the ground bits. This coaster litterally travels "through the trees". Leaving the mountain the ride pics up speed. Up the lift and into the mountain. You travel briefly through an icy cave and then exit the mountain out into the forest which just so happens to be enchanted. In this picture you can see how there used to be two tracks. They turned the old second lift hill into a waterfall. Of course we rode it again so I could get a proper lift hill POV. I had to stick the camera lense through one of the holes. The view going up the lift hill on our first ride. Ellie and I are safe and sound. No need for that silly warning about keeping your arms inside the vehicle at all times on this coaster. First you get into your pod. Alright, time for Ice Mountain Bobsleds! Now who wants their picture taken with some stupid mouse when they could dress up and get a picure with Abe Lincoln? Shooting things is always fun! that lead to more slides! More caves... It is one of best haunted houses I have been through. The best part of Tofteville is the haunted house. Tofteville is their western town. Lots of people in the park as you can see. Next up is Tofteville A slide, of course! Just about to wrap up Story Book Lane. What could be inside that shoe? (besides a little old woman) You can get some interesting pictures in here. The crooked house! Someone needs a pair of tweezers. Seriously, I wonder how many little kids have had nightmares because to this thing. "O'kay kids, just walk into that evil witch's mouth. There is nothing to scared of. It'll be fun!" One of the many caves you encounter along your journey. This one is the seven dwarf's mine. Pretty high tech stuff here. Three bears cottage. They eve left fallen trees that you have to duck under while winding through Story Book Lane. As you can see, Enchanted Forest is quite litterally in the middle of a forest. They cut out and trimmed back a little as possible when building this park. A small but fun maze. This park is great for kids as it has many tunnels, mazes, caves and slides. And out the key hole. Into the rabit hole..... Yay, candy! Now through the castle and into Story Book Lane. Yeah, that's not creepy. Wait, are we at Enchanted Forest or one of Dave and Falefel's favorite miniature golf courses? Inside, the "not much bigger than Disneyland's" castle is the first thing you see. Through the castle awaits Story Book Lane. As you can see the place was packed when we got there. This is pretty much all of the park you can see as you drive by. This is the sign that tells you your in the right place.

Glad you enjoyed Silverwood, Jimmy! Now I know like three other people who have been to the only park worth going out of your way for here in the Pacific Northwest. I have to agree with you about Timber Terror's first drop. Best first drop on any woodie I have been on, without a doubt. The first airtime hill is pretty sweet, too. I also think Panic Plunge is about ten times worse than any S&S drop tower of twice the size. You must have skipped the water park or just didn't get any pics? I figued the "float up to" bar in the lazy creek would be right up your alley

Dave, that trip report was awesome! I laughed, I cried, and even now as I am typing these words, Final Countdown is stuck in my head. I agree with everything you said about Dollywood. The staff is amazing, the food is amazing, and I am also one of those who "gets" Thuderhead. Love that coaster. And Clever Detective is fine, but I'm thinking Cleaver Detective would be much more entertaining if set loose in Dollywood. (just thought I'd add in another inside joke to the mix )

Good job, Jimmy! You deserved it.

^ Congrats, Wes. I am the same way as you about basketball. I love it and get very into a game when my team is playing. So much so, I still have a dent in my refrigerator when Portland melted down in the fourth quarter of game seven in the Western Conference Finals against your Lakers the first year Shaq and Kobe won a title together. I'm still bitter about that game. Stupid Lakers. I am happy for Kobe, though. Like him or not, he is the best player in the NBA right now, without a doubt. Hopefully Boston will put up a decent fight if they make it. If not.....well, yeah.....

As long as you have human beings making calls without any use of instant replay, it is litterally imposible to have consistent, black and white, officiating. Yes they could do better, but you will never have the right call made every time. I am totally unbiased as I'm not a Spurs or Lakers fan at all. I still say it was the right thing to not call a foul on that last play. Barry did just as much wrong as Fisher, IMO. Now, if he had just went up for the shot (which he most certainly didn't) instead of looking for contact, then I would probably have a different opinion. Either way, you will always have bad calls and no calls as long as you have humans on the floor making the calls. Just a fact of life.

Actually, I was there the day after it opened, I just haven't posted my pics yet. It has been a couple weeks since I have even looked at the beer thread. I'm a disgrace! Anyway, great report Bubba! McMenamins has some great properties, but I think Edgefield might just be their best. Glad you got to see The Gorge. It is a pretty awesome site. Pictures really don't do it justice. I have been beyond busy with my new business but hopefully I'll get around to posting some more in here.

I think it was a very good "no call" from the officials. I watched the re-play several times and Barry initiated a lot of that contact himself. I just don't think you call that in the last second of a conference finals game. As much time as I seem to spend rooting against the Lakers, I really do think they are the best team in the league this year. I would love to see Lakers vs Celtics in the finals. That's pretty much the NBA equivalent of Yankees vs Red Sox. I do think the NBA has been steadily improving over the last few years after pretty much hitting rock bottom for a while. Portland should be back in the playoffs next year, so that helps, too

Great pictures, Cam! That looks like a blast. Of all the cities I have never been to, Chicago is way up there on my list of must sees. Probably just behind NY.

All of the fanboys of a certain coaster in Texas just died a little inside. You have much to learn. I seriously doubt that any of the "Texas Fanboys" care which of TGG's coasters Robb prefers. They only get upset when some idiot attempts to tell them that THEY didn't really like it that much, either, and are over-hyping it due to local bias. You know, local bias, like a multi-page thread about them turning on some waterfall at SFMM, or whining to the management about the removal of a tilt-a-whirl over and over in a TPR video.... See? I certainly do have much to learn, but that was meant as a joke. I personally look forward to making my first trip to Texas sometime next year and riding everything that state has to offer.

All of the fanboys of a certain coaster in Texas just died a little inside. Seriously though, great pictures. I loved Waldameer when I went last year and this just really makes me want to go back.

Silverwood is locally owned by a man named Gary Norton. His family helps in some of the operation of the park. They are not affiliated with any other park. I love the Roller Coaster Alley T-shirt with MF on it. I visit SW every year and have never seen that before.

I have never seen it used on any other park web site. Granted, I don't spend that much time browsing "official" park sites so I am certainly not an expert on the matter. I do like the idea, though. I have always thought HW has one of the best web sites out there, especially for a smaller park, so keep up the good work.

I imagine it would be something similar to Maverick, where as when the train goes by, a series of water cannons go off. Only the would spray out at an angle instead of straight up. I don't see how it would even be possible for a flyer train to have an actual splash down. Looks like a great ride though. I do love me some B&M flyer action.

Totally random, nothing to do with this thread at all question, but I have to ask Scott.....do you actually own any hats, or are you strictly visor only? I can tell you are quite clearly a "visor enthusiast" and I just thought I'd ask.

Interesting topic. First let me say, I could care less if someone wants to be a vegetarian or vegan. What you chose to do makes no difference to me. The only thing I would argue is the idea that there is mixed opinions on weather humans are omnivores or not. You will find a VAST minority of "experts" would say we are not omnivores. You know those two pointy teeth we all have on both the top and the bottom of our mouths? Yeah, they are for tearing flesh, not for eating bananas. Carnivores naturally have sharp teeth. Just look at any dog. Herbivores naturally have flat teeth. Just look at any cow. IMO, there is no argument that humans were created (or evolved into, however you look at it) as omnivores. We also are far more intelligent that any other species on the planet, so I totally get not wanting to eat meat if you feel it is cruel. However, naturally, we are omnivores, I see little to no argument against that fact.

Those were some really great pictures. I actually (and surprisingly) like the color scheme. SFFT really looks like one of the better SF parks out there. Hopefully next year we'll be able to do a Texas trip.

Too bad us "Pacific Northwest" people never get to meet any truly famous coaster legends as yourself, Big Mike. Maybe the tour will roll this way sometime in '09. We actually have a few decent parks and some pretty hard to come by credits so I'll keep and eye on my inbox waiting for any potential announcements.

Scott, your PTR's are always entertaining but you really outdid yourself on the photography with this one. Some of those EPCOT pics were amazing. I'm gald you threw in the resort pics, too. The last time Sandi and I went to WDW was in 1996 (YIKES!) We stayed at what was then called the Dixie Landings Resort for 8 days. We spent and entire day doing nothing but touring all of the other resorts. It was one of the best days of the trip. Great job!

My two cents on song choice..... For me it is all about the song fitting with the video. I thought the song Jimmy used was great for that video. It isn't a song I would ever listen to on its own, though. Same with the song I used. It really isn't the type of song I would normally have playing at home or in the car, but I thought it went well with what I was trying to do. I was looking for a song that had sharp rhythm and would allow for quick editing with the beat. When I did my Enchanted Forest video, I used a blue grass song, because I thought it fit the feel of that little "off the beaten path" park. It really depends on the feel of the park and what I think will work with the footage I've got. That is how I look at it when I'm watching other people's videos. "Does it fit" not "Do I like it".

^^^ John, thanks and I agree with you about the ending being a little too repetitive. I was having too much stinking fun on that trip and ended up with just a little less footage than what would have been ideal. Originally, I wanted to make two separate park videos, but I found out real quick that wasn't going to happen. I barely had enough to put the two parks together into one decent video. ^^ Ryan, first off, your intro was great! Secondly, I'm just like you, I submitted my video for fun. I actually had this video finished over a year ago and sent it in with another video that had been done for a year. I didn't do a video specifically for this contest, but I think it is fun to enter something to share with people and get their input, positive and negative.

I totally get the whole wanting to see something unique, but again, everyones different in what they like in a coaster video. I would MUCH rather see a typical "TPR style" video as far as entertainment value is concerned. I tend to enjoy the more "original" videos (like Floruba) less than the videos that are tighly edited to music with no particular theme. I thought Jimmy's video was great and by far the best out of the first ten entries, simply because it was very well edited and it was FUN. For a few minutes I could actually feel myself in Spain with a freakin yellow hat on acting like an idiot and having a blast. For me, this is what a good coaster video is all about.

Stupid Jimmy and his yellow hat for having a better video than me. I will say that I think my video that just featured random coaster shots with no theme was easily in the top five of that last group, though.

Lou, I was thinking the same thing! Congratulations to both of you! Best beer thread update ever.