Skyway & Rainbow Ridge
Here are two unrelated photos - unrelated other than the fact that they are both in the square "126" film format. Man, do I love this first picture (from June 1965)! It's SO nice with that orange Skyway bucket perfectly positioned. It looks like a publicity photo; the kind you might find in a souvenir guidebook. Those kids are soaking it all in; even the slightly out-of-focus background details below add to the depth and charm of the image.
From August 1964 comes this nice shot of Rainbow Ridge (taken from the back of a pack mule?). In fact it's practically the very end of civilization… once you passed these buildings you really entered Nature's Wonderland. Which I wish I could do!
12 comments:
Wow, that first picture really is a jewel. Besides its crystal-clarity, it truly captures a child's excitement at seeing Disneyland from up in the air.
...and an adult's excitement, too. :-)
Although I'd probably freak out to find myself seeing Disneyland from this angle today, because it would mean I'm less than a second from ground impact.
Great shot of the older skyway buckets. Agree with Melissa it's sharp and clear. I like the patch riveted to the side, not even painted to match.
Any photo of Rainbow Ridge is a treat. And a clear close up to boot. Great TGIF post!!
That's not a patch. It's a stainless steel "skid" that ran along the anti-rock rail in the stations,
Sunshiney beauties today....Rainbow Ridge truly is rainbows, you know. Look at all those pretty colors! :-)
Actually I do find something in common with these photos. Both images contain those Golden Gate colors of the famous bridge just north of me. Sort of sunset(ish).
@Chuck - I find you comment about ground impact amusing. Every time I rode that Skyway, it always crossed my mind; "What if?".
@Anonymous - I learn something new everyday. I always wondered what that stainless steel "skid" was for. It makes sense. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Major.
Major-
These are both unique angles - especially the shot from Rainbow Ridge. Pretty swell stuff.
@Anonymous - Thank you for providing the correct names for both the S/S "strips", and their 'mate' - the anti-rock rail. As soon as my eyes zoomed-in on the skid, I kinda figured that was its purpose.
Thanks, Major.
It just occurred to me that since the round Skyway buckets were replaced in Summer '65, this image dated June 1965 was probably the last month these round sky buckets were used.
Melissa, I heard an (old) interview with Tony Baxter in which he said that they have to figure out some way to get guests "up in the air" again, but I am not holding my breath….
Chuck, you mean you wouldn't be wearing your rocket pack?
Alonzo, I was just going to say something about the "patch", but see that Anon has already done so! Glad you liked today's pix.
Anon, thanks for the info!
Nancy, even the mules are rainbowy!
K. Martinez, isn't that called "International Orange"? Somehow I think of the GG Bridge as being more reddish - a beautiful color, by the way.
Nanook, I believe that Tipper Gore invented the anti-rock rail.
K. Martinez, good point! I didn't even consider it. Very cool to have such a nice portrait of the buckets just before they were replaced.
Major - yes the GG Bridge is a more reddish-orange, kind of like the Nature's Wonderland building in the second image.
Btw, is that a little light just above the skybucket roof?
This is also the best look I've ever gotten at the seats inside the old buckets.
Holy crap, I instantly felt the icy cold fingers of fear grab my intestines and pull!!!! What a perfect shot and yet frightening to me - brought back all those memories of riding the Skyway. I could never figure out why my dad always rode in a separate vehicle and now I know why - it was only a two-seater! I must have blocked it out of my mind. Still, an awesome shot even though I gripped the edge of my desk and took a few deep breaths before being able to type a comment!
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