Photo TR: Lake Winnepesaukah & Chattanooga

[Electerik]

Part I: Lake Winnie

 

Greetings from beautiful Chattanooga, Tennessee. Got up at 8:15 yesterday morning (I didn't even know there was an 8:15am), drove the two-and-a-half hours from Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to Rossville, Georgia (just over the border from Chattanooga), got to Lake Winnepesaukah (turns out it's pronounced Winnepes-oh-kah) at opening (noon) and was sunbaked and wore-out well before the 8:00pm closing time.

 

I had a great time, though. The park is really nice, for what it is (and what it is is an old-school, traditional amusement park of the "permanent carnival" variety). The employees were better than I expected. Not particularly "professional," but by-and-large very nice (which is more important to me, ultimately). And the park had a really good ride selection, a nice layout, some funky-unique stuff (always a plus), and a laid back, totally non-corporate attitude.

 

One thing that I thought was just a tad un-guest-friendly, though (in a really funny way): There's exactly one enclosed, air-conditioned place to eat. It's right beside the park's most central restaurant, and chock full of windows so you can see right in--at all the employees (only) eating! Enjoy your picnic bench in the sun though, folks. Let us know if you need anything else.

 

Also, the lake is kind of, well, green.

 

Still, it's a pretty swell park.

Don't forget to properly dispose of your trash by stuffing it down a clowns throat. Y'all come back now!

Nine dollars even.

What's for lunch?

This is the greatest picnic shelter ever. I wanna have my 40th birthday party there...in about 20 years.

The Pirate had kind of a lame program, but it sure looks nice.

Racing down the drop towards the green-water-splash and the free-float.

Finally emerging into daylight, you climb the lift that goes over the founder's back yard. Do you feel the funkiness yet?

...and there you stay for a long, long time. (Note: this is only what it looks like with your camera's flash on.)

From the station, you go right into a dark tunnel....

Apparently, the Boat Chute was the park's first ride. Built in-house, and it shows.

The Alpine Way heading over the water and toward where you should be able to get off, but can't.

I love chair lifts. Oddly, though, this one only has one station, despite the non-station end being in a natural place for one. Still, +1.

So, as I enter the wave swinger, I say to this op, "Hi, how are ya?" And he looks at me for a second and says, "Y'all spread out some."

The second time was worse. Not riding this one again sad-and-pathetic-style.

So, despite the trims being on, Wild Lightning was almost too wild to ride by my lonesome.

There was a sign posted at the front gate saying that this would not be operating today. *shrugs*

As you can see by the Paratrooper, the park wasn't particularly busy today (although, it was busier than that).

Cannon Ball is fun--but, really, you've ridden it a hundred times.

As you can see, you can get pretty close to Cannon Ball from the back parking lot.

This picture would be Super Marion Cobretti Cool if I'd managed to get the turnaround in the frame, too.

Man, I wish I'd trimmed that eyebrow hair before I took this picture.

Their drop tower had a brutal stop at the bottom. In fact, I think it pretty much just stops by hitting the ground at the end.

Denied! According to the Orbiter op, "It tore its drive shaft yesterday."

The antique cars were nothing particularly special, but I appreciate their presence nevertheless.

I rode the Wacky Worm. It wasn't credit-whoring, though, because I'd never been on one...because I'm not a credit-whore.

Most of the big stunts weren't working, though--most disappointingly, the spinning tunnel.

The Castle is the park's old school dark ride.

Looking back towards the main entrance.

The main midway/boardwalk/pier (on the left) connects the front and back sections of the park.

Parking is free. +1 for Lake Winnie.

[natatomic]

Goll, I haven't been to Lake Winnie in about 9 years, and it still looks the same. You're right though, it's more of a glorified County Fair than anything, but still nice for a day trip.

 

Great TR!

[BeemerBoy]

Very nice report.

 

This picture would be Super Marion Cobretti Cool if I'd managed to get the turnaround in the frame, too.

+10 for this. His car was the most unbelievably bada$$ car in movie history!

[Wood Dragon 1988]

Nice TR with good pics!

 

Lake Winnie is an intriguing park to me primarily because of the old boat chute.

[All Clear]

I took my first trip to Lake Winnie this year just a few weeks ago. I really loved it. It was like stepping back in time, mostly in a good way. It reminded me very much of my childhood park (Lakeside in Salem, VA). It had a lot of the same fixtures, including the gaping-mouth lion water fountain and the clown head trash cans.

 

You won't see stuff like this north of Georgia anymore:

 

It's just wrong on a couple of levels.

 

As far as the coasters went, that was about the roughest mouse I've ever been on, the guy running the worm treated me with such dignity that I didn't feel even a little bit dirty and I loved Cannon Ball so much I wanted to take it home with me. I got a little lump in my throat the first time I rode it.

 

I wish I'd thought to get some of the pictures you got, especially the one of CB from the drop tower. Really nice, that one.

 

(Edited for the sake of clarity.)

[Electerik]

Part II: Guerrilla Tourism

 

Though there will be a carousel and a kiddie coaster towards the end of this report, day two was earmarked for all the non-amusement park touristy stuff in Chattanooga. Such as....

...but that's okay. I wasn't there for the lame-o credit. I was there for old-school mini-golf, and it was really good!

And, finally, I ended the day with a trip to Sir Goony's Fun Center. The kiddie coaster apparently only runs on weekends at the moment....

Why, it's that carousel I promised!

A really cool park along the river. And what's in the blue building? (As if you sharp observers didn't know already....)

Chattanooga claims that this old train tressel is now the world's longest pedestrian bridge. It might very well be. I walked it twice.

Two turtles dancing on a bag in front of the WTF Museum.

Walking around Chattanooga. Their version of shoe-prints in the concrete. I like it.

And this is just...wow.

Typical aquarium stuff. They're always too short and not very exciting. Not that I have any ideas.... Be a SeaWorld instead?

Or this friendly little guy.

Still, it had its amusements. Such as these baby human-fish.

Next up was the Tennessee Aquarium. Not bad, but I guess I'm really just not an aquarium kind of guy.

Kind of ho-hum. Time has past it by, as evidenced by the fact that there are now tract houses higher up the mountain.

The Inclined Railway. The third and final of the Lookout Mountain attractions.

The Tennessee River, as seen from the top of the observation tower (see first Ruby Falls picture).

The waterfall is hard to photograph, especially with their random, multi-colored lighting. See Rock City, skip Ruby Falls.

Everybody touch the slimy phallic rock.

Ruby Falls was a guided tour. It took about an hour-and-a-quarter, as well. But I probably could have done it in about 20 minutes.

Fairyland Caverns makes up much of the return leg of the trip back down the mountain.

Not scary at all. I'm sure it's fine.

There's a pan for gold type thing, plus a big plastic climbing wall (not pictured because it's lame).

Lovers Leap

Swing-A-Long Bridge

Stone Bridge

Choose Thy Fate

I'd like to take a moment to point out some interesting rock formations. - There's one.

But, then, I'm a walker. This place could kill somebody that's not. And it's definitely not wheelchair-friendly.

It's self-guided. I did the whole thing in about an hour-and-a-quarter.

It's basically a walking path, with lots of stairs and gardens.

So, Rock City turned out to be awesome.

[eddie200330]

The picture from Lake Winnie of the covered wagon /rainbow type ride, is that the old Conestoga ride from Hersheypark ? I really miss that ride there. It had a unique kinda thrill all of its own....

[Electerik]

Part III: We All Scream For Ice Cream

 

So, I'm only slightly ashamed to say that I like ice cream almost as much as I like roller coasters. So while all-that-you've-been-told-about-so-far was going on, there was another, secret trip happening in the background at the same time: The Ice Cream Tour.

Parlors at factories generally have the best ice cream. Plus, they usually have every flavor currently being made, and sell it cheap: $2.50 for 2 scoops here. The highlight of the tour!

Driving home, I hit the Mayfield factory tour in Athens, TN. The tour was just okay, but it was free. And, the ice cream was excellent and plentiful.

It was good, but not as good as I'd hoped. It was fairly rich, but the "chunks of stuff" were too finely chopped for my tastes.

After failing to find this badly-named, but well-regarded local ice creamery the night before and ending up at a Ben & Jerry's instead...at last, success.

Rock City had a Dippin Dots stand. But, sadly, it was not open when I was there (of course, it was only 9:15am).

Lake Winnie's awesome ice cream stand, made to look like a paddle wheeler. Mayfield can do not wrong on this trip!

[ParkTrips]

Pirate has a bad cycle? I remember it always running almost too much!

 

Thanks for the tip on weekend-only operation. Because I need more kiddie credits.

 

I actually almost like Chattanooga. Its nice to visit, and there are quite a few attractions for a town its size. YAY for inclined railways!

 

 

MAyfeld...

[Scaparri]

So, I'm only slightly ashamed to say that I like ice cream almost as much as I like roller coasters.

 

I think I might have a new best friend.

 

Awesome TR, dude... all of it. I've always wondered what those Chattanooga attractions were like. I've passed them at least twice a year for probably the last 20 years and never visited. I definitely need to check out Rock City sometime. I'll have to put that on the to do list next time I'm on my way to Atlanta or Florida.

[Electerik]

Spraying to all fields....

 

The picture from Lake Winnie of the covered wagon /rainbow type ride, is that the old Conestoga ride from Hersheypark ?

 

Yes, the very one, as I understand it. I enjoyed it, but I think I prefer the sideways seating of a Falling Star.

 

Pirate has a bad cycle? I remember it always running almost too much!

 

Yeah, that's just it. I found it really boring. It takes, like, 15 swings to get up to full speed, and then it starts winding down almost immediately.

 

I actually almost like Chattanooga. Its nice to visit, and there are quite a few attractions for a town its size.

 

Yeah, I agree. I really like downtown areas that are bisected by rivers. Chattanooga actually just elbowed its way onto my short list of cities I might want to live in one day.

 

I've always wondered what those Chattanooga attractions were like. I've passed them at least twice a year for probably the last 20 years and never visited.

 

Yeah, kind of the same deal with me--including Lake Winnie. I'd driven by, like, 8 million times--but never at the right time, or when I had time. I finally just had to make a special trip of it. I'm glad I finally did.

 

Erik "I need a new sig" Elness

[natatomic]

Driving home, I hit the Mayfield factory tour in Athens, TN. The tour was just okay, but it was free. And, the ice cream was excellent and plentiful.

 

Holy crap, that's my home town! And usually when I say Athens, people are always like, "Georgia?" "No..." "Ohio?" "Getting colder." "Greece?" "Now you're just being smart."

 

And who can deny that Mayfield's has got some of the best ice cream in the US? Only Ben&Jerry's beats them in my book most of the time.

[verticalzero]

Nice TPR report and great photo's of the Park:

 

This is how my ultimate woodie (don't need record breaking height, intense layout, the older woodies are better than most new ones) looks like, White paint, flags, nice height, speed, lots of hills n humps, park the car next to the tracks, take close photo's of it and built by John Allen.

 

Perfect to ride all day n night.

 

"Cannon Ball" looks an amazing woodie which has been kept to a high standard, fresh coat of white paint every year I can imagine.

 

Does it have "chaser lights" going up the lift-hill at night-time..?

 

There seems to be a lot of space to expand if the Park wants to, "Zippin Pippin" or another endangered woodie could have a home here if the Park was intrested in saving them.

 

Is the Park easy to drive to if I fly over from England for a couple of weeks to visit....?

 

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Don't forget to remove your long eyebrow hairs

[BeemerBoy]

Is the Park easy to drive to if I fly over from England for a couple of weeks to visit?

That kinda depends on where you're flying into, and where you're staying.

The simple answer is yes. It is easy to drive to.

 

There seems to be a lot of space to expand if the Park wants to, "Zippin Pippin" or another endangered woodie could have a home here if the Park was intrested in saving them.

There is a good amount of space to expand, however; there is not alot of capital.

 

"Cannon Ball" looks an amazing woodie which has been kept to a high standard

Not quite sure about "amazing," although it is very fun, and yes, definitely very well maintained.

[verticalzero]

I called "Cannon Ball" amazing cos in England (UK) there are no woodies which looks as nice as this one. I would rather ride this type of layout then any of the coasters at BPB.

 

Most of the coasters in England are boring, USA are so lucky to have the best wooden and steel coasters.

[CGM]

Wow, those photos of Rock City, Ruby Falls and the incline railway brought back a few memories, I must have been about 7 when I went to those. It may of only been 8 years ago, but it still feels like a long time ago to me

[bgwfreak]

 

What's with the guy about to jump off lover's leap?

 

I liked Chattanooga, especially the aquarium and Lake Winnie.

 

http://travel.webshots.com/album/550710243LJCqLg?vhost=travel

 

The incliene wasn't that great, but I did get some night pics up there.

[mcjaco]

Ice cream is almost as good as beer. Nice TR Erik!

[Electerik]

And who can deny that Mayfield's has got some of the best ice cream in the US? Only Ben&Jerry's beats them in my book most of the time.

 

Actually, as much as I liked the ice cream at the Mayfield Factory, Toft's in beautiful Sandusky, Ohio remains both my favorite ice cream and my favorite ice cream shop. (It's also one of those ice cream parlor right at the factory kind of deals.) Many a gap in a CP split-shift was spent there, let me tell you.

 

Here's a link to an article about Toft's from a local newspaper:

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070521/BUSINESS03/705210333/-1/BUSINESS

[TheRapidsNerd]

You did the TR on Dollywood a while back with Smokey Mountain River Rampage right? Good job again here. Glad to see these attractions.

 

Had just recently heard of Lake Winnie and wondered what it was like. My coworkers swore by it and said they'd been several times.

 

If it helps, like your ice cream craving, I've gotten my parent's funnel cake gene. Missed 2 credits this year at BGE and Alabama Adventure. Agreed though, good ice cream (and rootbeer floats, and hot fudge sundays) make a trip that much better.

[Electerik]

You did the TR on Dollywood a while back with Smokey Mountain River Rampage right?

 

Er...yes, that was me. Sorry, no rapids ride at Lake Winnie.

 

As for you, verticalzero: Let me back up BeemerBoy in saying that while Cannon Ball may look really good, in a classic sort of way--it has very little airtime, which is a big requirement for me. Still, it is fun. And I'm sure you would enjoy it.

 

And, since I'm feeling munificent (and I always take about 10 time as many picture as I post), here's a couple more for ya:

[Tömmioh]

Nice TR!! I've been wondering what like Lake Winnepesaukah looked like, when I heard it's name the first time, so it was cool to see some good photos. The place with the trails and the rocks by the mountain looked beautiful aswell as the cave waterfall and yay, for loving ice-cream ! now that made me hungry!

[Electerik]

Incidentally, and I meant to mention this earlier and forgot, the correct pronunciation is apparently "Lake Win-ah-pah-soak-ah." At least, according to the auto speil on the carousel. (I had thought it was "Win-ah-pah-sah-kah.")

 

Just thought that was interesting/worth mentioning. I could be wrong.

[natatomic]

^No, you've got it right now. Lake Win-ah-pah-soak-ah. That's how you say it.