Travels and Visits: June 2012

Thursday 28 June 2012

Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park: is a United States National Park in northwestern Wyoming. Approximately 310,000 acres (130,000 ha) in size, the park includes the major peaks of the 40-mile (64 km) long Teton Range as well as most of the northern sections of the valley known as Jackson Hole. Only 10 miles (16 km) south of Yellowstone National Park, the two parks are connected by the National Park Service managed John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. These three protected areas in conjunction with surrounding National Forests constitute the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which at almost 18,000,000 acres (7,300,000 ha), is one of the largest intact mid-latitude temperate ecosystems in the world.

Grand Teton National Park

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park: is a United States National Park spanning eastern portions of Tuolumne, Mariposa and Madera counties in the central eastern portion of California, United States. The park covers an area of 761,268 acres (3,080.74 km2) and reaches across the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain chain.[4] Over 3.7 million people visit Yosemite each year: most spend their time in the seven square miles (18 km2) of Yosemite Valley. Designated a World Heritage Site in 1984, Yosemite is internationally recognized for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, Giant Sequoia groves, and biological diversity.

Yosemite National Park

Wednesday 27 June 2012

Jehangir Kothari Parade

Jehangir Kothari Parade: is a promenade built on land bequeathed by Seth Jehangir Hormusji Kothari to the city of Karachi . It is situated in the Clifton area of the city - famous for its SeaView Beach - standing the test of time for roughly 85 years to date. There are two structures; 1. The Promenade Pavilion, 2) The Pier of the complex which is named after Lady Lloyd, Governor of Bombay Sir George Lloyd's wife. This is evident in the marble plaque embedded in the pier wall that reads, "Lady Lloyd Pier". Inspired by Her Excellency the Hon. Lady Lloyd, this promenade pier and pavilion was constructed at a cost of Rs. 300,000.

Jehangir Kothari Parade

Loch Ness Monster Roller Coaster

Loch Ness Monster Roller Coaster: The Loch Ness Monster is a roller coaster located of Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Designed by Ron Toomer of Arrow Dynamics, the Loch Ness Monster was the world's tallest roller coaster when it opened in 1978. It was the first coaster to contain interlocking loops. In 2008, the ride celebrated its 30th anniversary. The ride, located in the Scottish themed area of the park, also features a helix tunnel, two lift hills and a 114-foot (35 m) drop, is classified as an American Coaster Enthusiasts Coaster Landmark.

Loch Ness Monster Roller Coaster

Big Bad Wolf Roller Coaster

Big Bad Wolf Roller Coaster: Big Bad Wolf was a suspended roller coaster in the Oktoberfest section of Busch Gardens Williamsburg. First opened in 1984, the ride operated for 25 years and the ride closed on September 7, 2009. The footings, queue line, and station were left standing and have been re-purposed for Verbolten, an attraction introduced in the 2012 season. Prior to the construction of Big Bad Wolf, Anton Schwarzkopf had designed a prototype ("Flying Coaster") for the park. Even though three-quarters of the new ride had been built, the ride was never completed, and was later completely scrapped.

Big Bad Wolf Roller Coaster

Strom Runner Roller Coaster

Strom Runner Roller Coaster: Storm Runner is an Intamin-built steel launched roller coaster at Hersheypark. It was constructed in 2004 and was the third Intamin Accelerator Coaster. It reaches a height of 150 ft (46 m) and catapults riders from 0 to 72 mph (116 km/h) in 2 seconds. It features a top hat and three inversions, a dual loading station and a magnetic braking system. It was built to interact with three other Hersheypark rides: the Dry Gulch Railroad, the Monorail, and the Trailblazer. Storm Runner is the first accelerator coaster to utilize over-the-shoulder restraints and the first to have a dual-loading station with switch tracks.

Strom Runner Roller Coaster

Fahrenheit Roller Coaster

Fahrenheit Roller Coaster: Fahrenheit is a steel roller coaster at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States. The ride features six inversions and opened on May 24, 2008, replacing the Western Chute-Out water slide complex. The coaster's first drop is at 97 degrees, making it the second steepest in the United States behind Steel Hawg at Indiana Beach. In October, when Hersheypark is decorated in a Halloween theme (Hersheypark in the Dark), Fahrenheit is dubbed Fearenheit. Fahrenheit was announced in a Hersheypark press release on September 27, 2007.

Fahrenheit Roller Coaster

Great Bear Roller Coaster

Great Bear Roller Coaster: Great Bear is a roller coaster located at Hersheypark, Hershey, Pennsylvania. It was built by Bolliger & Mabillard during the winter of 1997 and opened for the 1998 season. Because of the coaster's unique custom design, as well as other factors including the terrain, Spring Creek, and proximity of noted attractions such as the SooperDooperLooper, the coaster was one of B&M's most difficult installations. Also, due to the lack of sand in the supports, the coaster makes a loud roaring sound like a bear.

Great Bear Roller Coaster

Tuesday 26 June 2012

SooperDooperLooper

SooperDooperLooper: is a ride at Hersheypark, and the first looping coaster on the East Coast. It was designed as a terrain coaster by Werner Stengel, and built by Anton Schwarzkopf. The train first goes up a hill, takes a small drop of about 5 feet, turns left, climbs it again by force, not by chain, and then descends and enters a loop. It then makes a sweeping left turn that travels through the middle of the loop and enters a tunnel. The ride concludes with a series of bunny hills and helixes. The trains on the SooperDooperLooper use a single lap bar to hold riders in the seat.