Houston..... We have a problem.

[Mikey]

As you may or may not know, I recently moved to Houston. Home of oil refineries, radio active waste dumps, really bad traffic and one very sad and empty 140 acre field just south of 610. A field that use to be my home away from home for period of almost five years.


Many only know this field as a dirt parking lot, for others it is just another scene passing by their window on the daily commute. For others like me, it will always be known for what it use it be, Astro World.



Every year the rodeo comes and goes, it's many guest never having thought that the ground they are parked on used to be the Sky Ride, Viper, XLR8, or even the Texas Cyclone. The only remnants of the park is the Bridge to no-where, and for the moment, a former employee with an old operations radio.



I arrived around 9:45AM, It certainly was hard for me to park my car in that field. Trying ever so carefully not to park on sacred soil. I choose to park on ground that used to be the location of "water gate" and the AWRR. I then set out to explore the field, and then on to the rodeo. At around 10:00 AM I broadcast one message on my old and tired radio. Astroworld was officially back open, if only for a day.

At the rodeo I saw animals of all shapes and sizes; Some were big.



Others were small, but all of them wreaked of poop smell.



And then I found the part that interested me the most, the midway. Certainly this place could give AstroWorld a run for her money.



I think someone is envious of the State Fair of Texas...



Portable sky ride. Never seen one in person before.



The kids like this ride because they can drop things and spit on the guest below. I think they should have a red plunger on the bottom, and if you hit it like a dunking booth they fall out to the ground and the angry mob waiting below.



There are b00bies in this picture. Can you spot them?



It was pretty hot and crowded on that day, I'm glad they had this portable log flume.




Unfortunately I think that's also where they got the drinking water supply.



The Yo-Yo.



Now with sideways options.



They had this Hi-Miller roller coaster. I gave it an award for being ugly ass green.



For some reason the operators were not giving long cycles or letting this ride go upside down.



However these operators had no objection to making guest re-buy their lunch.



This is what happens when an enterprise mates with an afterburner. I should also note that given the extended periods of time spent upside down, your loose change is fair game if it lands on the midway.



Not much room to stand on the midway.



Don't try this view with the ladies.



I think they just painted over the rust...



Looks like a pretty decent drop.



The sound of the train gives way to how much airtime this little machine produces.



We should buy one of these rides for every school. Reason: Physics Lessons.



If you have ever driven on roads in Houston, then you understand why the bumper car ride is a waste of tickets.



Punkin Chunkin Simulator



This ride simulates a takeoff on board an American Eagle flight.





Star-Flyer - I am still not sure why this ride doesn't infringe upon the patents held by other amusement ride companies. However it is certainly impressive in size, even if its one of the smallest models available.



Wild mouse.




This ride is going to be modified by Nasa for use as a Space Shuttle replacement. Alternatively, Governor Perry may be looking to use it for humane capital punishment.



Certainly makes a quick way to see baby Jesus on a day trip.



In Russia Mouse Ride You!



Hardrock park lost one of its rides...



This ride checks for loose nuts.






Somewhere out there is a lawyer from Disney rubbing his hands...




Part 2 coming soon...

[AyTrane]

Very nice TR, and great photos! Fairs always make me nervous, something about rides that get disassembled and rebuilt so frequently. The wear and tear must be astronomical. Thanks for sharing.

I was there on Sunday the 21st and the Hi Miler motor effed up, something broke, and the chain went flying into the air (while a train was on the lift, they had to winch them up and it took like an hour). After another hour of repairs I finally got to ride it

i was there one wednesday during spring break, rode the speed.