Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Dollywood 2013 Preview

Dolly Parton was at Dollywood on Friday, March 22nd to preview the upcoming 2013 season. Embedded below is a video shot during the media preview in which she tells us what to expect from Dollywood in 2013.

One of the highlights I'm most looking forward to is the park staying open later allowing us to ride Thunderhead and Wild Eagle roller coasters in the dark!

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

New Coaster Photography Book

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As a coaster enthusiast we are always searching for that ultimate thrill. There are always things getting in the way, such as jobs, family, money, so that many of us aren't able to travel, extensively. Well, Tom Crymes, the author of American Coasters (a brand new book) did the travelling for you!

“Amazing” is the best term I can find in order to describe Crymes’ excellent picture taking. The book contains images of over one hundred numerous roller coasters from 21 amusement parks. Also included in the book are 40 coaster pages full of need-to-know research. A handful of of the amusement parks featured include Cedar Point, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Kings Dominion and Six Flags Magic Mountain. Here are a few of my favorite images coming from the guide.

The pictures are huge as well as crisp. The colors are vivid. The book’s straightforward design locations much more emphasis on the photographs. Nothing beats seeing pictures of roller coasters published on a physical sheet of paper.


The book additionally includes spectacular breathtaking photographs, some of which cover a full page (or more). The clarity of the photos allows for detailed analysis.

Crymes took many of the photos from unfamiliar angles. Never having been to some of the parks featured, I found the brand new angles refreshing. I also valued Crymes’ inclusion of a handful of roller coasters that don’t exist anymore. They were a nice surprise to see as I was reading the book. I won’t spoil which ones those are.

The photographs are not the work of an amateur. They are professional photos that will impress even the most seasoned photographer (coaster enthusiast or not).

American Coasters: A Thrilling Photographic Ride is perfect for anyone who enjoys roller coasters. A first-time roller coaster rider will love this book. A 50-year-old roller coaster enthusiast who knows everything about every roller coaster that ever existed will love this book as well. The hardcover book spans 176 pages.

You can order American Coasters: A Thrilling Photographic Ride here.