Old school is so cool! We love the sort of “anything goes” approach to attractions folks took back in the day. There’s so many unusual things sprinkled across the country from decades ago that you’d never see built now.
It’s such a lovely park! And the slide is such a great attraction for everyone - gentle enough for kids, but with the right riding material, very thrilling for adults! We’re glad you enjoyed the video!
Thank you so much! Glad you found it and happy to hear you’re enjoying the episodes! Annnnnd I dunno! We’re still pretty new here I suppose, but hopefully we’ll rival the Travel Channel soon!
Richard is my grandfather and I’m sure you made his day taking the time to chat about all things Rocky Ridge! Lots of good memories have been made at that park for sure!
It was so nice to meet and talk with him! He had so many wonderful stories and knew so much history about the park and the whole area. If you or anyone in your family is interested in getting the footage of the whole interview, please let us know! We’d be happy to send the uncut footage to you so you. (Email justaquickdetour@gmail.com and we’ll find a way to get it to you!)
I live in Frederick. I remember my friend going down face first and getting that saw dust stuff in his eyes and just hysterically screaming and crying. Those were the days.
That sawdust is serious business. Ryan got a huge mouthful the first time and we’re still picking pieces of it out of that koala costume! It is nice and soft, though!
You've just gotta smile when there's a giant slide involved! Rocky Ridge was such a friendly place to visit, we'll definitely be stopping by to take a few runs on the slide every time we pass through the area now!
The existing floor is not original. By fall of 1983 the surface had become deteriorated and was shedding large splinters. Boards were popping loose. Holes large enough to potentially catch fingers had appeared. The structure itself was listing due to rot at the bases of many of the supporting posts. Over the winter of 1984 the slide was closed, & by report, the board considered whether to remove it. I don't know who to credit on the board for asking my late brother Greg & I replace the floor, possibly Robert Mumma who was always supportive. IIRC Richard Stambaugh assessed and repaired the structure; he was a great resource for us throughout the project with information & in completing our work. I milled some sample hard maple boards, we took them over and bent them to the whoop-de-doos. Essentially, there was no problem so long as the grain was properly oriented, and only rather long boards were used except at relatively straight sections near the top, and at the bottom of the slide. So we ordered kiln dried rough lumber, milled up a batch of primarily long flooring, and installed it. The original splintered deck was stabilised with a layer of CDx plywood glued and screwed crossways. New flooring was applied over that, conventionally, with glue and power cleats. Due to the slope and curves, the only practical method to finish it included (old fashioned) hand scrapers, and cabinet size belt sanders. Sometime years later, the slide was "vandalized" by a resin product sloshed about that hardened into rough ridges. They were somewhat painful to cross and greatly impeded progress. We re-finished the slide at that point. I've always imagined someone got ahold of a drum of commercial product they thought would make the surface slicker, without understanging the methods to use it and how fast it could set. It was more difficult to remove that product than the original sanding had been. But it gave us a chance to re-flatten the boards. Weather tends to cause the edges to rise and then set cupped-up initially. With the second sanding years later, it cause them to cup the opposite direction (good) which by appearances the slide seems to maintain. I don't know what care the slide has received since 1990-ish. It is interesting that the original floor installers were "from NY" which is where i now live near the Finger Lakes. The people involved with Mt Tabor Church were the definition of generous and community oriented. Although my family were not members, they were a positive influence growing up. A real model for seeing what can be done when people are not afraid to use imagination, and plan and pull together. It is also personally rewarding to see that the floor my late brother and i installed has now lasted longer than the original. I tend to be a worrywort about things like that. smt
Wow! That’s so interesting, thank you for sharing all of that! That is really great that your floor lasted longer than the original! As Kevin said in the video, that slide is very well built. It’s still in wonderful condition today, the floor especially is shiny, smooth, and quick. We’re really glad you were able to fill us in on some information that wasn’t in the video! Thanks! 😃
What good fortune being so close! The wax paper was serious business. As a kid we would use it on metal slides for speed but I wasn’t sure if it would have the same effect on wood. But oh does it ever!
Great story about preserving a public treasure. Proof that "old school" can still be a lot of fun! Thanks.
Old school is so cool! We love the sort of “anything goes” approach to attractions folks took back in the day. There’s so many unusual things sprinkled across the country from decades ago that you’d never see built now.
I went to family reunions at that park every year throughout my childhood. And at 31, I still love this slide! Great video!
It’s such a lovely park! And the slide is such a great attraction for everyone - gentle enough for kids, but with the right riding material, very thrilling for adults! We’re glad you enjoyed the video!
I loved seeing The Big Slide and remembering those treasured friends. Rosemary McCombs Maxey
That slide sure has brought a lot of wonderful memories to generations of people there! We’re glad you enjoyed the video!
This channel is AWESOME! So glad I randomly found it! And how, how, how does this channel only have 253 subs?!?! It better than the travel channel!
Thank you so much! Glad you found it and happy to hear you’re enjoying the episodes! Annnnnd I dunno! We’re still pretty new here I suppose, but hopefully we’ll rival the Travel Channel soon!
Richard is my grandfather and I’m sure you made his day taking the time to chat about all things Rocky Ridge! Lots of good memories have been made at that park for sure!
It was so nice to meet and talk with him! He had so many wonderful stories and knew so much history about the park and the whole area. If you or anyone in your family is interested in getting the footage of the whole interview, please let us know! We’d be happy to send the uncut footage to you so you. (Email justaquickdetour@gmail.com and we’ll find a way to get it to you!)
I’ve never seen such a slide! I’m glad they’ve preserved it!
Yeah! It’s certainly unique and it’s in immaculate condition! They do a great job taking care of it!
I live in Frederick. I remember my friend going down face first and getting that saw dust stuff in his eyes and just hysterically screaming and crying. Those were the days.
That sawdust is serious business. Ryan got a huge mouthful the first time and we’re still picking pieces of it out of that koala costume! It is nice and soft, though!
Loved loved loved this episode, from the picnic table chat to Ryan’s slow motion face plant. I wish I could go with you on your quick detours!
Maybe someday we can! Glad you enjoyed it!
This made me smile! Looks like so much fun and a friendly place to be!
You've just gotta smile when there's a giant slide involved! Rocky Ridge was such a friendly place to visit, we'll definitely be stopping by to take a few runs on the slide every time we pass through the area now!
My pap pap is so cute aww!!!
We had such a nice time talking to him! He tells the stories of the town so well!
Remember a ton of family reunions held there.
The existing floor is not original. By fall of 1983 the surface had become deteriorated and was shedding large splinters. Boards were popping loose. Holes large enough to potentially catch fingers had appeared. The structure itself was listing due to rot at the bases of many of the supporting posts. Over the winter of 1984 the slide was closed, & by report, the board considered whether to remove it. I don't know who to credit on the board for asking my late brother Greg & I replace the floor, possibly Robert Mumma who was always supportive. IIRC Richard Stambaugh assessed and repaired the structure; he was a great resource for us throughout the project with information & in completing our work.
I milled some sample hard maple boards, we took them over and bent them to the whoop-de-doos. Essentially, there was no problem so long as the grain was properly oriented, and only rather long boards were used except at relatively straight sections near the top, and at the bottom of the slide. So we ordered kiln dried rough lumber, milled up a batch of primarily long flooring, and installed it. The original splintered deck was stabilised with a layer of CDx plywood glued and screwed crossways. New flooring was applied over that, conventionally, with glue and power cleats. Due to the slope and curves, the only practical method to finish it included (old fashioned) hand scrapers, and cabinet size belt sanders.
Sometime years later, the slide was "vandalized" by a resin product sloshed about that hardened into rough ridges. They were somewhat painful to cross and greatly impeded progress. We re-finished the slide at that point. I've always imagined someone got ahold of a drum of commercial product they thought would make the surface slicker, without understanging the methods to use it and how fast it could set. It was more difficult to remove that product than the original sanding had been. But it gave us a chance to re-flatten the boards. Weather tends to cause the edges to rise and then set cupped-up initially. With the second sanding years later, it cause them to cup the opposite direction (good) which by appearances the slide seems to maintain.
I don't know what care the slide has received since 1990-ish. It is interesting that the original floor installers were "from NY" which is where i now live near the Finger Lakes. The people involved with Mt Tabor Church were the definition of generous and community oriented. Although my family were not members, they were a positive influence growing up. A real model for seeing what can be done when people are not afraid to use imagination, and plan and pull together. It is also personally rewarding to see that the floor my late brother and i installed has now lasted longer than the original. I tend to be a worrywort about things like that. smt
Wow! That’s so interesting, thank you for sharing all of that! That is really great that your floor lasted longer than the original! As Kevin said in the video, that slide is very well built. It’s still in wonderful condition today, the floor especially is shiny, smooth, and quick. We’re really glad you were able to fill us in on some information that wasn’t in the video! Thanks! 😃
Been there!
I could have told you....the wax paper is the fastest!! I grew up about 2 miles from the park.
What good fortune being so close! The wax paper was serious business. As a kid we would use it on metal slides for speed but I wasn’t sure if it would have the same effect on wood. But oh does it ever!
👍🐝