This amusement park began in 1961 as Rebel Railroad with the steam engine train, a blacksmith shop, a general store, and a saloon. In 1970 it became Goldrush Junction when Art Modell, owner of the Cleveland Browns, bought it. The log flume ride from th New York World's Fair was added along with live entertainment and attractions showing off the areas early history. In 1977 it became Silver Dollar City in Tennessee, named for the new owners, the Herschend family's Branson, Missouri park of that name. Local resident Dolly Parton joined forces with them in 1986 and they remain partners today. Over 2 million visitors come every year.
I came to Dollywood to ride roller coasters and water rides, but also with the express interest of seeing the park's resident Gospel Quartet, the Kingdom Heirs, now in their 32nd year at the park. I went to their first show of the day yesterday, then returned for the second and third shows, too, all of which were different. Wonderful!
If you like a "clean" family show, humor, great music which provides a worship experience without preaching -- this is a 45 minute show for you.
What I didn't know was that next door to their theater is the Southern Gospel Music Museum and Hall of Fame with exhibits, mementoes, and the history of Gospel music.
On the Hall of Fame wall were my two favorite singers right next to each other -- the founding members of The Cathedrals, considered by many to be one of the greatest of all Gospel Quartets.
Perhaps you've guessed by my statement that I attended all three performances of the Kingdom Heirs, they are now my favorite group!
The Dollywood Express is their 110 ton, coal-fired steam locomotive that takes you five miles through the park and nearby Smoky Mountain foothills. I rode on Number 70, which once ran on Alaska's White Pass and Yukon Railroad (which I have also ridden) and also was used during World War II during the nine months of construction of the 1400+ mile long Alaska Highway (Al-Can Highway) in Canada. This photo is a bit blurry because it was taken during a downpour caused by a remnant of Hurricane Harvey that clobbered Texas last week.
Dollywood has established Eagle Mountain Sanctuary, a 30,000 square foot enclosed aviary that houses the country's largest collection of non-releasable bald eagles. It was interesting for me because last week I was on a week-long volunteer service project at Audubon Acres in Chattanooga, and we had a presentation by Happinest Wildlife Rehabilitators and they mentioned that when they rescue bald eagles that are too injured for them to operate on, they send the birds to Dollywood for medical care and eventual admission to this program.
I grew up in Chicago near Riverview which until the mid-1960s was one of America's premier amusement park. I loved its numerous wooden roller coasters and so at Dollywood I headed for Thunderhead, the park's oldest wooden coaster. Situated between two mountains, the ride takes advantage of the rugged terrain and features a 100 foot drop and 55 mph speeds. It also constantly twists and turns and loops back and forth, above or below itself, 30-plus times, with jarring, jerky movements that jolt you every which way. Perhaps not as fast as some of the metal-track coasters, but it sure seems fast due to riders being jostled about at every turn. Fun, but not for someone with a sensitive stomach or weak neck muscles!
Daredevil Falls log flume ride...
Lightning Rod, the newest coaster, propels you up this 20 story hill at 45 mph...
Mountain Sidewinder -- a water toboggan...
Smoky Mountain River Rampage, which guarantees you'll come off the ride wet -- and I did...
Lots more rides, but these were my favorites, and then the rain hit and many rides were shut down for safety. Besides, I'd been there 8 hours already and this 72 year old grandfather was satiated with adventure!
No comments:
Post a Comment