Take a lot of time and effort for it. Sometimes I draw the layout for coasters and stuff on paper before I even make it.

Alex: It's Flikr, so it's just re-sizing them when I post them.. I don't like to wait a long time for pictures to load when I read forums, so I don't mind it- haha.

RCTcoaster: To be honest, I didn't put as much thought as I usual do in building this park so far- I'm kind of just letting the park tell me what it is as I build it. I will say that the queue for the Rapids Ride is one of my favorite that I've ever made, it reminds me of a mini-golf course and ended up working well to get to the ride which was oddly placed behind the bear cave because I simply didn't plan very well. It reminds me of the Stretching Room for Disneyland's Haunted Mansion which has a purpose to move guests below the train tracks. I guess in these cases you just worked at it until it appears organized. However, sketching like Alex suggests helps make it easier as well.

^ Woooooo, quite a description you got there.

VIP Update 2

Hello everyone, it's Andrew Simmer again. Sorry it's been awhile, I got caught up with work and then the new Sims 3 expansion pack.. but anyway, here's the scoop for Bear Creek Rapids I promised you all.

Bear Creek Rapids Station

Bear Creek Rapids' name might actually be longer than the ride, however, it is a thrilling expierence to enter into the natural Dead Man's Cave halfway up the mountain and come splashing down into the ride's namesake river. Don't worry, if the splash from the fall doesn't get you wet enough, the waterfalls and jets sprinkled along the shores, surely will.

Bear Creek Rapids and the Swiss Rocky Railroad.

Unlike Arrowhead, there is no story to the ride. Oh, did I forget to tell you Arrowhead's Story? How silly of me. That has to be the next update then. But back to Bear Creek, it may not have a story, but I've heard some of the scenary you see does.

For Example, the natural Dead Man's Cave- which was only widdened to fit the ride- was named so because an indian trader named Yellow Eagle once lured european settlers into the caverns to kill them. Nobody is sure what the purpose of the murders were, though some spectate that he would eat their bodies. Spooky huh? The only reference to this old story are the indians that line the cave mouth on top of the mountain. When a raft approaches, they raise their arrows and fire. Luckily for the guests, they all forget to release their arrows.

In addition, when outside again, the raft passes by many lit-up caverns. Every so often you can hear bear growls or screams inside these caves. When you exit the ride, there's a newspaper pinned up to the ride operator's shack that exlaims "The Bear Hunter's Expedition Missing" as a headline. If you have good eyesight or politely ask the operator to read the article you'll find out that the last statement of 'The Bear Hunter' was to a skeptic who criticized the group for wanting to enter the caves. "We're going on a bear hunt," he said, "I'm not scared.. Oh look a deep dark cave. Can't go over it, can't go under it, can't go through it. We've just got to go in it!"

Bear Creek Rapids Exit

Above is the exit path leading from the ride. I find it interesting how the train is perfectly placed overtop the exit station. Even leaving the ride offers a little entertainment to wave to passing by trains as they laugh at you for being completely drenched.

Before I leave you, I wanted to share these two images. I was riding Arrowhead for the 5th time and spotted this strange location. I wonder what it could be.

Hidden on the tracks of Arrowhead, an eatery of some sort.

Is it an upcoming restaurant, or just a break room for employees?

The room can be seen by looking left on the turn right after the hotel you fly by after finding the gold. It seems almost impossible that there would be a path to allow guests back here. But then again, anything could be possible with the introduction of the new fort during the Grand Opening next spring!

I thought it was just a place between the rock & a hard place.

^^ Those screenshots are wicked!

VIP Update 3

The Story of Arrowhead

Greetings friends, it's Andrew Simmer again and I'm back with the sweet story behind Arowhead, the ride at the Bear Creek Amusement Park in the Swiss Rockies. So here's the scoop

Before entering the queue, to the left of the Arrowhead sign is a small framed newspaper that reads "Bank Robber Arrowhead Joe Apprehended; 2,000 Gold Bars Still Missing." To the right is a poster that reads "Wanted: Fearless Adventurers to accompany trek to find Arrowhead Joe's Treasure. Apply upstairs." Further up, about halfway through the line is a second framed newspaper that reads "Arrowhead Joe Dies In Prison; Location of Gold Never Revealed" and the rest of the line is littered with maps, clues, and memorabilia posted to the wood walls

{note.. to my knowledge there is no mods like this.. and I don't want to deal with too much lag.. so just play along, won't ya? }

Before boarding, Wiles Smitherson, your expidition leader, introduces himself over the loudspeaker and explains that he's excited because he believes he's pinpointed the treasure of Arrowhead Joe. As you board he says "I expect the trek to fearsome and maybe even disasterou. Many have tried before us, but that won't stop me. If you're with me, pack your belongin's under the seat and keep your hands and arms in the wagoon. We'll be leaving soon!"

The ride up and around the mountain is pretty peaceful, until after a while when you can hear faint wardrums from the distance. Wiles tells the riders "I don't like the sound of that, let's get out of here" and the train is launched down the mountain.

Before entering the first cave, Wiles says, "This is the cave, I've planted the explosives already, follow me!" Inside you'll find the explosives are still burning and have not yet gone off. "Ah oh!" Wiles comments. "Let's get out of here!"

After exiting that cave the tracks will start to shake as if an explosion has happened behind you, and suddenly another cave entrance comes to sight and Wiles shouts "Quickly! In here!" as the sound of debris flies towards you.

Inside this unknown cave is where you'll actually find the treasure of Arrowhead Joe, but unfortunately this cave has been affected by the local blasting and appears to be falling in too, so you enjoy the sight while you can as Wile's gathers up some gold, then go speeding out towards an old abandoned hotel. (next to which is the strange break room/restaurant from my last post.)

After that you make your way safely back home, but not without taking time to go through the Bear's Den for whatever joyful reason.

The cave where Arrowhead Joe's Treasure is Located, from a Maintenance catwalk

The turn through the Bear's Den, as seen from Bear Creek Rapids Queue.

Glad I could give you support!

To me it feels like RCT4!

I really want to go to that park it's soo awesome!

Rocky Mountain Times

May 15th, Yr. 1

Bear Creek Grand Opening

Bear Creek held it's officialy Grand Opening Ceremonies yesterday to a mediocore crowd. The park, which had it's soft opening last fall, reopened with the new Fort Needy section which included a new ride, Red Messa Mine, and a new area for children to play and explore.

Fort Needy from New Swiss Train.

Guests can now explore Fort Needy and meet it's new and strange characters, like Sherrif Shelby and Trapper Dan- both pictured above. The fort also hosts the park's first souvenir store entitled Trapper Dan's, who is the proprietor of the store. On sale are western themed hats, postcards, drinks, and candy.

Trapper Dan's souvenir store.

Trapper Dan's is also the first store on park property to sell ride tickets. "We had to find a location that was convenient for both our crew and our guests," Mr. Palmer spoke about the matter, "As we saw last summer, our restaurants were often too packed to accomidate selling tickets. So this small souvenir store should fit the bill." He later commented that "Tickets will still be on sale at the New Swiss Lodge and Palmer's Inn, for our guests staying there as well." Tickets cost $3.00 a ride for the major rides (Arrowhead, Bear Creek, and Red Messa Mine) and $1.50 for the Bear Den Viewing Area (all day access) and the Rowboats.

The Queue for Red Messa Mine

Perhaps the best addition to the park is the Red Messa Mine coaster. Andrew Simmer, winner of last year's Bear Creek VIP contest was the first to ride the coaster and recieve full details of the ride, which he'll bring to you on his blog later this week. The Rocky Mountain Times time found the queue just as interesting as the ride, however. It provides both the haunting story of the town of Red Messa as well as a history of the western United States. Guests will learn that Red Messa was one of the many gold mining towns founded during the big boom that started in 1949. However, legend has it that it was built on an ancient indian burrial grounds and many strange things have happened there since leading up to the town being abandoned just after a freak flood many years ago.

Fisherman's Inn, the park's first sit-down restaurant.

Also worth mentioning is the new Fisherman's Inn. It counters the wildly popular Arrowhead Eatery in that it is a fine dining expierence. Although it's strange that the restaurant is situated nowhere near an actual body of water, the sounds of rowboats and bullfrogs echo through it's caverness hall. Guests can choose to sit at a table or the bar in the center of the very small restaurant, and reservations are greatly recomended. The menu, which features mostly locally caught fish, but some chicken and steak, is pretty good, which has garnished the restaurant a 4 Paws out of 5 from the Rocky Mountain Meals Magazine. If you did not catch last fall's addition, Arrowhead received a wild 3 Paws out of 5, which is relatively high for a counter service restaurant.

Front of the Bear Creek Map | Back of the Bear Creek Map

Above is the entire map of the Bear Creek Amusement Park as it was released yesterday. You can click on both images to enlarge and read them.

Concept Art For Buffallo Bill's Resort & Circus

Just before park close, members of the press were invited to return to the Press Conference Stage for a surprise release. The surprise was the introduction to Wild Bill's Resort & Circus, a new hotel Shoque Inc. is almost finished building right next to Bear Creek. The premise of the area as it was introduced is the Wild West meets the crazy boardwalks of the East.

"Buffalo Bill was not only one of the most colorful figures of the Wild West, but he was also a world renouned host and entertainer. His traveling show, a western circus of sorts, inspired and thrilled audiences in both America and Europe; he would host many world class figures and guide them on buffalo hunts in his native Nebraska; and he won the medal of honor for his scout duties in the U.S. military. It's only fitting that we welcome guests staying on our property with his namesake." Mr. Palmer explained about the choice of theming. "We take Buffalo Bill's show to the next level, however, and introduce it to the boardwalks of the mid-1900s. Guest will find a thrilling lake-side atomosphere right outside their hotel's doorstep- and of course, it's got to have its own Wild West Show!"

Mr. Palmer was also quick to mention that the picture above was one of the first concept arts drawn of the resort. The boardwalk area outside has changed considerably since then. Construction crews have been working hard on the new resort area and "boardwalk" area, as it is nearly complete and is set to open in late June of this year.