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Photo TR: Ghost Town in the Sky Construction Tour!


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Edit: Just posted my review for TN...check it out here:

 

http://www.thrillnetwork.com/stories_view.php/1984/thrillnetwork_tours_ghost_town_sky.html

 

Hey guys and gals.

 

Last Thursday, the 12th I had the opportunity to take a construction tour of Ghost Town in the Sky, Maggie Valley, North Carolina. It was on my way to Dollywood so I asked them if I could stop by.

 

Ghost Town in the Sky is a small park that was started back in 1961 during the whole huge Gunsmoke, High Noon, general Wild West popularity of the times. To make a long story short, it closed in 2002 and will reopen with new owners May 25 of this year! For those that knew the previous owner, David at the park said that he and his wife (depending on their health) will try and make it back on the 25th for the grand reopening.

 

It's located on top of a mountain in Maggie Valley and the Ghost Town section of the park is themed to a 1880 wild west town.

 

I'll be writing up a more detailed review for www.thrillnetwork.com , but for now enjoy the pics!

 

Also if you'd like full resoluation (3.1 mp) then click here: http://travel.webshots.com/album/558698799EZkqKI

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Joey moved to NC? Huh? That's about it folks. Again, check out my full res versions if you'd like to. The mountain shots are great in full resolution!

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Almost done...but not before my red Beetle would attack me! When getting back in the car the wind caught it and slammed it on my leg! Ouch!

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Trying to be all artsy with the new walkway bridge.

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An overview of the front of the park entrance and the mountain/hill where the Incline Railroad and Chairlifts will go up the mountain.

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You can check out the new logo of the park here... this is NOT product placement either. I did NOT get paid $50 by this guy to put his phone number on the internet.

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Schwarzkopf coaster! Where?

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Seems to remind me of a Spielbergh movie for some reason (Close Encounters).

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The whole gift shop has that retro 70s look to it...except it was probably BUILT in the 70s!

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In the gift shop (if you hadn't figured it out yet)...do I hear $200 for this lovely "slightly" used chair lift seat?

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I'm hoping they decide to put this back on the scrambler before starting it up in May.

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Grrrr! I thought I told you to get off my mountain! Alright already. I'm going!

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If you look really hard you can see the new drop tower going here.

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Gunslinger (Chance Yo Yo) waits to be put back together. Being flung over the mountain's edge is going to be fun!

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Children (and Dan) close your eyes!

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Now now. George Bush this is not appropriate immigration enforcement. For shame.

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This is David King from the park. Great guy to take me around. The worker dude looks like I just shot him!

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Even more townage.

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A long shot towards Lake Junaluska.

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Maggie Valley is down below.

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It was a gorgeous day. Great for pics. Lake Junaluska (sp?) is off in the distance (a great place to visit too).

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Inside the church it looks like it's brand new again.

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The Frontier Church. They will actually have services here on Sunday. This is the only park I know of besides Dollywood that will have a working church.

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I think this will be a western wear shop. So you too can look as goofy as John Travolta did in the 70s.

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Hit me up with a sasperilla (sp?) will ya?

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The Silver Dollar Saloon will be back open for business soon.

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Looking in the shops and such...Somehow reminds of a 1940s shop in one of those old TCM movies.

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Doesn't this just look like something straight out of High Noon? I almost expect to see Gary Cooper come walking out.

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More townage.

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The little kiddie coaster waits for a new station. Sorry coaster whores, I think this one is going to be too smal for ya. Oh wait, I forgot which site I was on!

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They've really been busy cleaning and painting and restoring all the old buildings. Some of them look brand new now!

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The little train that could (and will) run again.

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Tommy this guy was asking about you. Care to explain? Oh wait...nevermind.

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Time to head into town. Ghost Town (the park) is split up into several sections, all on different levels of the mountain.

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*snickers* Custard's Last (Ice cream) Stand (and porta potty).

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If you saw Tommy & James' report a couple years ago, you might remember the washed out section. It's not anymore! New retaining wall and all.

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Glad to see men and cowboys can both use the Coke machine.

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Helix next to the restaurant sporting the new colors.

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A new restaurant will provide great views of the mountains and the coaster right next to it.

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And another shot shows how low down on the hillside/mountainside it really is.

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Here's an angle of the loop I've never seen. You can see how close to the ground you get.

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The new colors are: track- yellow / trains -red / station - blue. They will all kinda match the new logo for the park.

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Grrrr! I'm the angry coaster on the mountain named Red Devil! Oh wait, I'm what is it...Cliff Hanger. Grrr...gimme some candy!

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The incline at the top. The incline reaches inclines up to 77 degrees! Almost Millenium Force!

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David King (who took me around) trys to jump out of my shot of the chairlift footers at the top. Ha! Gotcha David!

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The incline is either the steepest or close to the steepest in the USA. On the road to the top. Scary is not even the word! This was a very steep road up and down!

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The park said that the Incline Railroad cars/trains will look less like cages when they are done with them. This is their original look.

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Hmmm... What would this be?

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I decided it had been far too long since I sat in Charlotte traffic. But instead I drove the other direction. Ha! Suckers!

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What good PTR on TPR wouldn't start out at Elissa's favorite place?

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thatparkactually looks like it would be a nice little place to visit after they finish re-modeling. Or maybe I am just excited because I have a thing for uirky little parks in the middle of nowhere...either way, this place looks like a lot of fun!

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What a great ride it would be if the incline train malfunctioned, and started racing down the hill.

 

I just thought of that! I figure, just to be on the safe side, they should, you know, put something on the cars and tracks to keep the trains from rolling down the hill at 1000 m.p.h. and into the parking lot?!?!

 

Otherwise, that looks like a REALLY cool place. Something for everyone in my family. I would love to go on Red Cliffhanger. It looks SWEET! (the tram does not!)

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