One of the most iconic rides at Lake Winnie is the Boat Chute. The ride was originally designed and constructed by park founder Carl O. Dixon during the winter of 1926–1927. The Boat Chute is what is known as a “mill chute” ride and was a precursor to the log flume (the first log flume was El Aserradero at Six Flags Over Texas which opened in 1963). A mill chute ride combines a dark and winding tunnel section with a final water drop and splashdown. It was a classic amusement park water ride, but the one at Lake Winnie is the last one remaining in the United States. Some mill chutes sustained weather damage and others succumbed to time while most were phased out in favor of more modern dark rides or log flumes, both with much greater capacity. The Boat Chute was actually the very first attraction at Lake Winnie and remains a guest favorite still today.

Opryland was a famous theme park in Nashville that closed almost 30 years ago. It had a nice group of rides which you probably need to be almost 40 to remember riding. Remarkably though, several of the rides from the park were relocated and are still operating today. One of those is Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, a classic Arrow mine train, which is now operating as Canyon Blaster at Six Flags Great Escape (Enchanted Parks) in Queensbury, New York. There were a few modifications to fit the space, but it’s essentially the same ride. The signature moment for Canyon Blaster is the huge 900 degree helix at the end.

The log flume is one of the most iconic rides at Busch Gardens. At Busch Gardens Tampa the recently closed Stanley Falls Flume opened in 1973 as the park’s first “thrill” ride and was built by the famous roller coaster company Arrow Dynamics. At Busch Gardens Williamsburg there’s Le Scoot which opened in 1975. However there was a third Busch Gardens log flume known as Ya-Hoo Barrel Ride (sometimes known as Busch Barrels) which opened at Busch Gardens Van Nuy in 1972. You might be wondering, “There was another Busch Gardens?” Well sort of, but not as extensive as the parks we know today and the log flume closed in 1976 and the entire park closed in 1979. However, this ride would be moved and still operates today as Desperado Plunge at Great Escape.