As I mentioned earlier in another thread earlier I had recently gotten depressed about the fact I had not been on any type of coaster since May 2007 and in fact had not been to any amusement park. In 2008 I had a great-uncle who I was close to and had helped me out that was dying, was worrying about getting all the IVs I needed so I could graduate college, then I had to worry about taking my test so I could get my EMT license, and then trying to get a job.

Lately I have been biking and walking in Chickamauga Battlefield in an effort to lose weight. The way I go down there takes me right by Lake Winnepesaukah. Ever since then I have been wanting to get back to riding coasters. Last week I missed a turn and wound up in Lake Winnie's parking lot which did not help. This evening I decided that since this was the final Friday they would be open this season and the fact I was tired of this depression I would head out that way for a few hours.

Arrived just before 6 normally I would have parked over by the Cannonball but instead I parked at the front entrance (which is free unlike most parks). First up was the Cannonball. As has been the case since an accident in 1995 only one train operation however the line usually is only a two or three train wait so this is no big deal. Still just as classic as it was last time I rode it. No orange bars, no headrests, the ride is dispatched via big ole break lever as opposed to pushing a button like done on modern coasters, and seats you can fit into unlike two other wooden coasters located in the same state. As usual the ride is fun as it has ever been. The one thing I did notice different about it is that they no longer have a blue train and a gray train instead the train I rode in was both blue and gray. The other one was under a tarp but I would suppose that it had the same scheme.

Wild Lightning was next. This is one coaster that has not aged well at all. In 2001 it opened and was loads of fun however over the years it has gotten very rough. Thankfully Today it was not as rough as it was back in 2006 or so but it still ride pretty rough.

Next up was the Oh! Zone. The most intense ride there. This one is just a simple drop ride. You get on you go up to the top as soon as you get to the top you drop. No waiting at the top, when you get to the top you drop.

The Boat Chute was next. 20 minute wait which is usually the waiting time is. As I was in line they announced that it was closing due to technical problems and a lot get out of line a few seconds later they tried to tell the people who had just left line that there was no problem and to get their spots back however a lot were done gone this resulted in me getting on a lot faster than I expected. Like the Cannonball this is a classic ride. The tunnel is just as I remembered and the drop results in a nice splash.

I hit the majority of the flat rides (save for the Orbiter, Paratrooper, Conestoga, Fly-o-plane and Scrambler) bumper cars (which no longer has that bumper car smell and instead has a nice chlorine smell thanks to a new water play area next to it) and also rode the skylift as well as the Cannonball several times and the Wild Lightnin' a second time.

After the sun went down I decided I would try something I had never done before, ride a coaster at night. So I rode the Cannonball. Whereas I have ridden the Cannonball multiple times this was something totally different as soon as I got off I had to do it again so I did. After that I decided to hit the Oh Zone in order to see the park at night from a new perspective. I ended the night on the Pirate Ship.

Even though they close at 10 I had brought my parents along who did not care about riding (my dad had not been out there since 1990) so I decided to leave at 9 since I figured they would be probably be tired and also to beat the traffic out.

Overall it was a great day. Even though I was there a little over three hours I was able to ride almost everything including 5 Cannonball rides, 2 Oh Zone rides, and 2 Wild Lightnin' rides. I doubt I will get a chance to go there or any other amusement park again this year but at least I finally got to do some coastering which is better than no coastering.

Lake Winnie is loaded with a lot of unique things that makes it special. For instance it is in a neighborhood instead of being around a bunch of motels and overpriced fast food places. Parking is free, employees are nice, and it is reasonably priced.

The only things I would like to see done is change the requiring people between 3-18 to buy a bunch of ride tickets or unlimited ride pass. I would rather them make it between 5-18 for the simple reason small children get tired easy (I don't have children personally but this is based on what I have heard said) Second have a line just for people who want gate admission. Even though my parents were not able to ride and just wanted gate admission they still had to wait in a long line while most everybody else bought armbands that had to be measured and put on. Either that or just drop armbands for handstamps.

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Typing of this message was sped up so I could attend a seance to talk to a dead fly and no my avatar is not moving.

I just went to this park in June and what a great place it was being on that lake/pond. Cannonball looks so white and clean.

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Thrillnetwork Moderator - Sophomore Original sn: CHILLERLC1
2008 & 2009 TN Coaster Draft Champion
You knew I wanted the other repeat too