Ridin' "The Wheel" at the Island in Pigeon Forge Tennessee: Hi Folks, I recently saw "grandpa's" post on The Wheel (Ferris Wheel) that he took at night and in the rain. I then...

James56 Loc: Nashville, Tennessee

Hi Folks, I recently saw "grandpa's" post on The Wheel (Ferris Wheel) that he took at night and in the rain. I then remembered my wife and I took a ride on this huge 200 foot tall wheel, so thought I'd share a few snap shots. The weather was iffy, rain was in the area, but we got on for our paid 5 revolution ride. The ride was smooth and quiet, in a nice air-conditioned gondola. I'm afraid of heights myself, so was very nervous when the gondola door shut. My wife was too, but with camera in hand, I braved it out and took my shots at the peak. After the 1st revolution once I was used to it, I then settled in and really enjoyed the ride. Once off, heavier weather moved in later, so they closed boarding till the storms passed. Hope you will enjoy our ride. I apologize for the reflections encountered inside the gondola.
Sony RX10M3 jpgs processed with Photoshop Elements 10 XXL, Finished with Topaz Adjust and DeNoise. Shot in 16:9 widescreen

This view makes "The Wheel" look like it's tilled, but it's not. Some sort of distortion going on. DSC03687-02 by James Frazier, on Flickr

This view underneath shows one of the four electric drive motors. DSC03691-02 by James Frazier, on Flickr

A lady at Station 4 patiently waiting to board the next passengers. DSC03719-02 by James Frazier, on Flickr

A view behind us at loading Station 6. DSC03720-02 by James Frazier, on Flickr

Passengers dis-embarking. Once cleared, we were allowed to board. DSC03727-02 by James Frazier, on Flickr

The view northwest, Hiway 321 can be seen (left center). The peak with aerial towers is called Green Top. DSC03736-02 by James Frazier, on Flickr

The view towards the ground. DSC03747-02 by James Frazier, on Flickr

The view south towards the Great Smoky Mountains. DSC03750-02 by James Frazier, on Flickr

The view south towards the Great Smoky Mountains off in the distance. DSC03766-02 by James Frazier, on Flickr

The Wheel as seen from underneath. DSC03801-02 by James Frazier, on Flickr

With rain moving in, a final parting shot of the Wheel on our way to our car. DSC03886-02 by James Frazier, on Flickr

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

These are beautiful shots, James. I love the different perspectives you used. A couple almost made me dizzy!

Lucasdv123

2years ago we rode the hi roller in vegas and the idiots paid around $55 MILLION to have it built.the glare inside is so bad that most of my pics did not look to good.they could have spent a couple million more to get anti glare glass.

John Lawrence

Great set, James. I got dizzy just looking at the pictures. 😀

James56 Loc: Nashville, Tennessee

Cwilson341 wrote:

These are beautiful shots, James. I love the different perspectives you used. A couple almost made me dizzy!

Thank you Kindly Carol. My wife and I travel a lot, well as much as we can, we're slowing down a bit, but I try to document via photo's our adventures. Someday our traveling days will be over, so we'll have these memories to fall back on. So glad you stopped by.

James56 Loc: Nashville, Tennessee

John Lawrence wrote:

Great set, James. I got dizzy just looking at the pictures. 😀

Hi, my wonderful friend John, so great to hear from you. I hate heights, so this ride was a challenge. Sweaty palms and all. I was shaking, real nervous. Lots of swallowing. Is this our death ride. The wife was just as nervous as I was. She was a champ to go along and support me. Once we got going, it wasn't so bad. The ride was so smooth, no jerks, no swaying...just pleasant beautiful views from high up.

James56 Loc: Nashville, Tennessee

Lucasdv123 wrote:

2years ago we rode the hi roller in vegas and the idiots paid around $55 MILLION to have it built.the glare inside is so bad that most of my pics did not look to good.they could have spent a couple million more to get anti glare glass.

Well, better luck next time. I've seen photos from that Ferris Wheel in Vegas and they were pretty good. Not sure what to tell you. Seems like everyone is so angry these day. We're in a economic boom...enjoy it.

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

there is not enough money on earth to get me on that wheel!!!!!!

John Lawrence

James56 wrote:

Hi, my wonderful friend John, so great to hear from you. I hate heights, so this ride was a challenge. Sweaty palms and all. I was shaking, real nervous. Lots of swallowing. Is this our death ride. The wife was just as nervous as I was. She was a champ to go along and support me. Once we got going, it wasn't so bad. The ride was so smooth, no jerks, no swaying...just pleasant beautiful views from high up.

It’s always good to hear from you too, James. You remain one of my oldest and closest buddies on UHH. My hat goes off to you for facing your dislike of heights on the big wheel and to your lovely wife for supporting you. My greatest challenge at this age is taking our 7 year old granddaughters on a Halloween hayride with my wife.

James56 Loc: Nashville, Tennessee

John Lawrence wrote:

It’s always good to hear from you too, James. You remain one of my oldest and closest buddies on UHH. My hat goes off to you for facing your dislike of heights on the big wheel and to your lovely wife for supporting you. My greatest challenge at this age is taking our 7 year old granddaughters on a Halloween hayride with my wife.

Amen Brother...hang in there and enjoy each scrumptious day. This world is so full of wonderful things. Family and Friends are the extra gift. Doesn't matter how much you can do, what matters that you are here.

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

Great experience...fine set!!

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

James56 wrote:

Hi Folks, I recently saw "grandpa's" pos... (show quote)

Nice set James.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Terrific photos!

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Beautiful images and a wonderful set James!

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Your shots are fascinating!