Heart Like a Wheel...a Ferris Wheel!

I Heart Ferris Wheels!

I "heart" a lot of things this time of year...lol!

Riding on a Ferris wheel is a wondrous experience...a feeling almost like a being a bug caught on the rim of a giant's bicycle wheel...round and round you go.  Growing up, the Ferris wheel was my favorite carnival ride.  I enjoyed the feeling of suspense as my swinging car approached the top of the wheel and the split second of heart-in-the-throat sensation of falling.  After a while I became blasé to the charms of the big wheel...using it mostly to get a bird's-eye view of the City of Fun Carnival and whatever cute boys might be there.  After a few years I switched my allegiance to the Tilt-a-Whirl...it was no longer cool to ride such a "baby" ride.

Ride, Baby, Ride...

My first Ferris wheel...there was one like this at the shopping center in Provo.

One of the two Ferris wheels at Saratoga Resort in Lehi, Utah,

where I spent many happy childhood days.

Unfortunately, that little amusement park no longer exists...they built a city there.

Someday I'll do a post on Saratoga.

What is a Ferris Wheel? A "Fair" Question!

The Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois, 1893

The original Ferris Wheel was designed and built for the Columbian Exposition by George Washington Gale Ferris Jr.  The fair promoters wanted something really BIG to show up the French who had the Eiffel Tower built as the centerpiece for their fair.  This wheel was a wonder to behold at 264 feet in height. Ferris didn't invent the concept of the wheel. "Pleasure Wheels" may have originated in 17th-century Bulgaria and I have seen an engraving of one of Turkish design.  He might not have come up with the idea, but to this day all such structures are called "Ferris wheels."

World's Tallest?



The London Eye...443 ft.

The tallest Ferris wheel in Europe and the Western Hemisphere...for now!

 I had the pleasure in 2003 to see the London Eye in person.  We passed in front of it while on a boat excursion on the Thames.  Coincidentally, we also passed right under that magician David Blaine who was suspended in a glass box from a giant crane...for some reason known only to himself and his press agent.  I was amazed at the size of the "Eye" and wondered how anyone was brave enough to ride in it.  On our last night in London, a group of older ladies from our tour took the Eye for a "spin."  I would have joined them, but I was out of British money...yeah, that's the reason!

London Eye Passenger Capsules

If you had asked me a few weeks ago where the world's tallest Ferris wheel was located...I would have answered "London" without hesitation.  Now I know that the Eye is only the third tallest Ferris wheel...soon to be fourth.  Second place goes to "Star of Nanchang"...525 ft. in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China.  The grand champion...for now...goes to the "Singapore Flyer"...541 ft. in Singapore.  I am excited to announce...if you didn't know already...that the Singapore Flyer is about to lose its crown.



 There's a New Biggest Wheel in Town!

Welcome to Vegas, Baby!

This was Las Vegas Blvd. on January 1st.

After the New Years Eve festivities...the city was still in a

"post party stupor."

This year George and I were too lazy tired to stay up for the fireworks.  When morning came, we decided to check out the progress on the new Ferris wheel being built near the Venetian.
It's almost done.  I couldn't believe how fast they constructed it....and how BIG it is.  We could see it from our Condo in Henderson.

Guess what it's called...

A.  Roulette Wheel    

B.  Wheel of Fortune 

C.  High Roller           

If you guessed "High Roller" you're correct

High Roller Capsules.

When finished the High Roller will stand 550 feet...9 ft. taller than the Singapore Flyer.

The Ferris wheel is due to open in February...hopefully in time for Valentine's Day.

We'll be in town that weekend...I'd love to see it in action.

Isn't it funny how we change as we age.  I used to love a ride on a Ferris wheel and the view from the top.  Now I would just sit in my little swinging car and bellyache about how long it takes to load and unload.  I am so used to Disneyland rides that load continuously...immediate gratification.  I read somewhere today that Walt Disney would not have allowed a Ferris wheel in his parks.  From the picture below, I guess he didn't get the last word...

Another Favorite Wheel I have never ridden...lol!

I haven't blogged much lately...I had a long list of "resolutions" that I have been working on.  One of them was to get my blog book up to date.  I am almost done with 2013.  This is only my second post for January...at this rate, my 2014 blog will fit in a 1" binder. =D  I have a couple of topics I am researching...and I have a couple of swaps to share in a few days.  It's all good!

I "heart" this cute little Ferris wheel...

and I "heart" you too!