Saturday, August 25, 2012

Timber Mountain Log Ride - Illuminated Exterior At Night

A couple of weeks ago we watched the last logs drop down the flume on the Timber Mountain Log Ride. A few moments after the very last log dropped, the water pumps were shut off and the water in the lake below began to calm. I took this photo just moments after the water pumps had been shut off:




A few minutes later the water in the lake had calmed to the point in which it was as smooth as glass, allowing us to see the reflection of the mountain in the water:




Thank you, Bud Hurlbut!

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Windseeker 1-Year Anniversary

Knott’s broke ground for the Windseeker ride in January of 2011. The ride was originally going to replace the Sky Cabin ride.

Although the iconic Sky Cabin was spared, there was one nighttime element of Knott’s that was sacrificed; the gorgeous colored light bulbs that were strung over the eating area of La Cocinita Restaurant in Fiesta Village. Here is a photo that I took in December of 2009 of those lights:




Here are a few photos that I took during the construction of the ride:

I took this photo on May 28, 2011 from the Buena Park Post Office on La Palma Avenue. This photo was assurance that Windseeker was not replacing the Sky Cabin! To the left you can see sections of the mast and to the right you can see pieces of the hub.




This photo was also taken in May 28, 2011. Four of the mast sections had been assembled so far. You can also see “Mr. Crane” which was used a lot during the assembly of the ride.




I took this photo on June 8, 2011; further assurance that Windseeker was not replacing the Sky Cabin! The red crown on the top of the mast had not yet been attached.




I took this photo on July 16, 2011. The mast assembly, the hub assembly, and the outrigger assembly had been completed. The gondola beams had been attached; however the gondolas had not yet been attached.




On August 18, 2011, Windseeker opened to the public, and I was there on opening night. The LED lights on the outriggers and gondola beams light up in sequence and create patterns, making for great opportunities with long shutter shots!

I took the next three long-shutter photographs on opening night:








Enjoy as always!

Sunday, August 5, 2012

The Kissing Couple at the Calico Saloon

An elegant detail in Ghost Town was recently restored! When the sun goes down, take a look at the little window on the side of the Calico Saloon. You can see it from Stage Road.




Inside of the window is an animated silhouette of a couple kissing illuminated by flickering candlelight!




Here is a short video that I shot of the kissing couple:




Many thanks to Christopher Merritt, author of “Knott’s Preserved” for the next two photos!

This photo was taken from Market Street in Ghost Town in the early 1950s. If you look down the street you will see Stage Road running perpendicular and the very same window on the side of the Calico Saloon:




This is a close-up of the same photo, and you can see the kissing couple in the window! This couple has been around since at least the 1950s!




Enjoy as always!