by Raymond Elling - Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2007

On this sweltering summer afternoon, with cameras in hand and decked out in the latest construction fashion (hard hat and orange vest), I prepared to take an exclusive tour through the Hard Rock Park. This would be a first-hand look at the construction of this one of a kind theme park which is slated to open in the spring of 2008.

I've had the opportunity to sit and study the model of the park at the Backstage Tour several times. I was always impressed with it and often visualized what it will be like when it is actually completed. Well, we'll all have to wait till next year to see that, but this escorted tour through the park would be awe inspiring. I would have to contain my excitement in front of my guide so I wouldn't look like a child waking up on Christmas morning.

This would be my second tour of duty through the park. My first was back in July at the "Topping Off Ceremony" for Led Zeppelin the Ride. I was so impressed the first time around, but this tour was different. So much more work had been completed than before. All previous photos from outside the park could never capture what was like to stand in front of the Hard Rock Amphitheater, the Punk Pit buildings, or the base of the giant Icon Guitar foundation. I felt like a kid in a candy store as I marveled at shells of buildings I've come to know and bits of attractions that would soon grace the landscape. I could imagine all of them completed and visualized myself standing there in the park next year.

As I sit here writing this first part of our exclusive tour, I can hardly wait to finish so I can share my experience with all of you. My hope is, by the end of this latest series, I will tempt your every desire to come to the Hard Rock Park on opening day and return for many, many more adventures through this musical extravaganza.

Next: "Part Two - The British are Coming!"