Offbeat America Season 1 Episode 11

Offbeat America Season 1 Episode 11 Roller-Coaster House and More

  • TVG
  • October 2, 2005
  • 21 min

Offbeat America is a travel series that follows host Ryan Van Duzer as he explores some of the most unique and unusual landmarks and attractions in the United States. In season 1, episode 11, titled "Roller-Coaster House and More," Ryan takes viewers on a thrilling and whimsical adventure through some of the quirkiest destinations in the Pacific Northwest.

The episode begins with Ryan visiting the Enchanted Forest Theme Park in Salem, Oregon. This family-owned park is a beloved local attraction, known for its charming fairy tale and nursery rhyme-themed rides and attractions. Ryan chats with the park's owner, Roger Tofte, who built many of the park's iconic structures by hand, and gets a behind-the-scenes look at some of the park's most popular rides, including the Loopy Loops Roller Coaster and the Ice Mountain Bobsled.

Next, Ryan heads to Silverton, Oregon, to visit the Roller Coaster House, a unique home built around a vintage roller coaster. The house was originally built as a bed and breakfast, but is now a private residence. Ryan meets the homeowners, Bruce and Kelly Stewart, who give him a tour of the unique property. The home's interior is designed in a whimsical, carnival-inspired style, with bright colors and playful decor. Ryan even gets a chance to ride the coaster himself, which sends him flying through the house at breakneck speeds.

After the Roller Coaster House, Ryan heads to the Oregon Vortex, a mysterious location in Gold Hill, Oregon that is said to defy the laws of physics. Ryan meets with the attraction's owner, Mark Kimmel, who explains the strange and unusual phenomena that occur in the area, such as objects appearing to roll uphill and people appear to change height in relation to their surroundings. Ryan even tries his hand at some of the optical illusions, which leave him disoriented and confused.

Next, Ryan visit the Bigfoot Trap in Whitehall, Montana. The trap was built in the 1970s by a group of Bigfoot hunters who believed they could capture the elusive creature. Ryan chats with the trap's designer, Ken Peterson, and learns about the history of Bigfoot sightings in the area. The trap itself is a large, cage-like structure with a bait inside, which was intended to lure in a Bigfoot and trap it. Ryan climbs inside the trap for a closer look and marvels at its sheer size and complexity.

The final destination in the episode is the Seattle Gum Wall, an iconic attraction in the heart of Seattle's Pike Place Market. The Gum Wall is a lively and colorful tribute to the city, with thousands of visitors sticking their chewed gum to the wall over the years. Ryan meets with the market's director, Emily Crawford, who shares the history and significance of the gum wall, as well as the challenges of keeping it clean. Ryan even adds his own contribution to the wall, leaving behind a bright green piece of gum.

Overall, "Roller-Coaster House and More" is a fun and whimsical episode of Offbeat America that showcases some of the most unique and unusual attractions in the Pacific Northwest. With its blend of quirky destinations and colorful characters, this episode is sure to delight viewers looking for something a little off the beaten path.

Description
Watch Offbeat America - Roller-Coaster House and More (s1 e11) Online - Watch online anytime: Buy, Rent
Offbeat America, Season 1 Episode 11, is available to watch and stream on HGTV. You can also buy, rent Offbeat America on demand at Discovery+, Prime Video online.
  • First Aired
    October 2, 2005
  • Content Rating
    TVG
  • Runtime
    21 min
  • Language
    English