The Tyler Courier-Times from Tyler, Texas • 54

Sec. 6 Tyler oiirUr-llmes-TiU rnh SUNDAYJUNE 15, 1997 TEXAS TRAVEL Highlands Mansion 'J Central Texas To Past Lin I 1 I 1 I i tBmltliil.tl4 1 -T L.J WK10 By SHELLY ROARK Travel Editor Amusement parks across the state are at full speed 3 'I J'l now tor the summer season and many have launched new rides, each to whisk visitors away on a Texas-sized i i thrill. CO' ff ''Jr e'' fy' 'k- One of the most recent scream machines to open is the Dungeon Drop at SIX FLAGS ASTROWORLD in Houston. The new ride, which opened in May, hoists guests 23 stories to the top of the tower above a medieval castle dun iff' pi! iff With arched eyebrows and a conspiratorial tone, Diane Cline explained that the time of death was 6 a.m. and several people were sleeping in the house at the time.

"No one supposedly heard the shot" she said. Sally Clark moved to California i several years later and, rumor has it, she took along a young boy who was her "adopted son," Cline said. Shasta Walker-Cureton, a Mar- lin High School student who per- forms in the Marlin community the-; ater, will stage the mysteries and also serve as the inn's assistant manager. Highlands Mansion changed hands several times over the years after Sally Clark left, with the house undergoing alternating peii-' ods of deterioration and restoration. It has operated as a museum for the past 30 years and as recently as ago was a frequent stop for-'.

tourists. "(The museum) was one of our. top tourist attractions. We would, have busloads of people," said Cyn-; thia Dees of the Marlin Chamber of Commerce. "I still have people who call because they were here before and want to know if it is still open." But the house again fell into slight disrepair several years ago as its owners, Thomas arid Naomj Michalsky, got older and were nol longer able to maintain the place.

The Clines first became interest- ed in the house several years ago when they saw a story about it in a-magazine. "My daughter was looking, through a- travel magazine and said, That's the home I Cline recalled. "We thought, right. Itll never be on the market. I Then they stumbled on a listing, for the house in a San Antonio Real-; tor's magazine.

After yearlong negotiations with the Michalskys, they closed on the deal in December. Central to the Clines' plan, is recreating Basil Clark's original' vision. Since February they have deco- rated the rooms with period antiques and restored the hardwood floors in the main entry hall that had been covered with carpet. By BRAD REAGAN For The Association Press MARLIN A Dallas couple has converted Highlands Mansion into a bed-and-breakfast inn, giving new life to what has long been Marlin's top tourist attraction and a surviving link to the city's glorious past. Highlands Mansion a massive white house sitting on the east side of Highway 6 had fallen into disrepair in recent years.

But now people seeking Victorian luxury can spend the night in the rejuvenated building and perhaps even solve the mystery sur rounding the death of its opulent original owner. Don, and Diane Cline of Dallas have given the house a new cbat of paint and an interior makeover, imbuing the storied home with the freshness it must have exuded at its conception. At the turn of the centuryrMar-lin attracted visitors from around the nation to sample the city's famed mineral baths. The city thrived augmented by fortunes made in cotton and cattle and Highlands Mansion was the center of a bustling social scene. Basil Clark, a Confederate army officer who moved to Marlin after the Civil War and became a successful banker, started construction on the house in 1898.

He gave it to his bride, Sally, two years later as a wedding present. "(The Clarks) were very interested in royalty and they tried to bring as much of Europe as they could to Marlin," said Diane Cline. The house 8,300 square feet inside with an additional 4,000 square feet in porches is marked by examples of near-royal extravagance, including a 28-feet-tall entry way with a stained glass dome at its peak, 23-karat gold leafing on a ceiling mural in one bedroom and nine fireplaces each made of a different wood. But all was not bliss in the Clark house. In 1915, Basil Clark died of an apparently self-inflicted shotgun blast to the chest.

He was found on the front lawn of the house. The Clines will use the incident as the theme of monthly murder mysteries staged for inn guests. geon, then sends them plunging in a 230-foot freefall drop at 62 miles per hour. Daring guests enter "the ride through the castle's dark passageways If fit V1 i rV it ill filled with eerie sounds and scenes. They walk past viewing rooms that include "Merlin's Laboratory," with boiling potions, experiments and mythical lighting; the "King's Armory," with a weapons test area and foundry, and "The Dungeon," filled with relics of previous knights who did not pass the ultimate test of courage.

Finally, up to 24 passengers at a time are secured in outward-facing, open-air seats with their legs and feet dangling for their ride up the tower. Six Flags at Astroworld is open daily 10 a.m. -10 p.m. until Aug. 10 and 10 a.m.

-8 p.m. Aug. 11-14. Ticket costs are $34.59 for adults and $22.68 for children under 48 inches. Children 2 and under are admitted free.

Parking costs $4. LLU The latest ride at San Antonio's SEA WORLD OF TEXAS, The Great White, will take a bite out of passengers as they go heels-over-head during a breathtak ing series of loops, corkscrews and other high-speed maneuvers. Riders legs dangle in this inverted coaster ride. The attraction, which opened this spring, extends more than 2,500 feet and rises more than 10 stories high. Features include an 81-foot drop, a 74-foot vertical loop, a zero g-roll, another 60-foot vertical loop and a high-speed spiral and two corkscrews.

The ride, which lasts about two minutes, reaches speeds of almost 50 miles per hour. Sea World is open 10 a.m.-lO p.m. daily through Aug. .10 and 10 a.m.-6'p.m. Aug.

11-17. Ticket costs are $29.95 -plus tax for age 12 and older, $19.95 plus tax for children age 3-11. Parking costs $5 a day. A little closer to home, SIX FLAGS OVER TEXAS in Arlington debuted the Mr. Freeze the Coolest Coaster on the Planet roller coaster this year.

It is touted as the "state's tallest, fastest and most technologically advanced roller chilling new coaster takes riders to speeds of 70 miles per hour in less than 4 sec- onds. Six Flags over Texas is open daily in June and July. The park opens 10 a.m. -10 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m.-ll p.m.

Friday and Saturday. Ticket costs are $31.97 plus tax for adults and $25.99 for children under 48 inches and 55 and older. Children under ace 2 are admitted free. Parking costs $6. fr Also in Arlington Six Flags Hurricane Harbor water 3 1 -Courtesy Photos TOWER PROVIDES PANORAMIC VIEW BEFORE PLUNGE DungeonDrop Riders Scream All Way Down 230-Foot Fall park opened four new water slides May, including Sea Wolf.

Sea Wolf is reported as the longest and tallest water raft ride of its kind in America. Starting at the lookout tower 100 feet above the park, guests will navigate through more than 830 "untamed" feet of highspeed banks and drops in a toboggan raft large enough for four people. The water park is open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. through June 19 and 10 a.m.-lO p.m. June 20 through mid-August.

Ticket costs are $24.75 for ages 10 and older and $19.75 for children ages 3-9. Parking costs $5. SCHLITTERBAHN WATERPARK in New Braunfels has two new attractions this year in its four-acre Blastenhoff section: the Torrent Tidal Wave River and Master Blaster water coaster. The water park is open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily through Aug.

9. Ticket costs are $22.45 plus tax for adults and $18.45 plus tax for children ages 3-11. Parking is free. Ljl j.V liL' -i I. 1 I itU I Where Is Summer Fun And Affordable? At Hie Arlington Hilton, -Summer- fun is at our doorstep with nearby Six FlagsHurricane Harbor, iheJexas Rangers in- Grand Prairie.

Enjoy our tndooroutdoor pool, whirlpool, sauna and exercise room. Check out our newly renovated restaurant and September's nightclub. For reservations, call your professional travel agent, 1-800-HILTONS or the Arlington Hilton at 817-640-3322. l- 'iwiiiiiili liirfi EvGnfs ir family and an opportunity to learn about the shells as you find them. Weather permitting, the walk starts on the beach at Access Road I-A in Port Aransas.

For more information, contact the city of Port Aransas, Parks and Recreation Department P.O. Box 1090, Port Aransas, 79373. 512749-4111V South Texas Plains June 13-20 Juneteenth, San Antonio. A week-long celebration is planned with events taking place all over the city. Some of these include: A Juneteenth picnic at Mateo Carnargo Park with musical entertainment, a Juneteenth film festival at St.

Philip's College, and the Institute of Texan Cultures will showcase its Free at Last exhibit. For information on these and other events, contact the San Antonio Convention and 'Visitors Bureau. 210270-8700. Hill Country June 1-30 Juneteenth Events, Austin. Texas' capital city starts the month with a Juneteenth Exhibit at the Carver Museum.

On the 19th, a parade and festival will take place. The festival is a tribute to the achievements of African-Americans, featuring dance, poetry and music. The parade includes floats, marching bands and a Gospel showcase. For more information, contact the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau, 201 E. 2nd Austin, 78701.512474-5171.

2401 E. Lamar Blvd. Arlington, TX 76006 817-640-3322 I http:www.hilton.corn I Kids 18 and under stay free In parents' room. Offer valid every day of the week from 5597 through 9897. Limited availability.

Advance reservations required. Rate does not include tax or gratuities and does not apply to meetings, conventions, groups or other promotional offers and is subject to change without notice. The Hilton lego and logotype are registered trademarks Hilton Hotels Corporation. 1997 Hilton Hotels. MR.TRAUEL Foundation, P.O.

Box 268, Canyon, 79015. 806655,:2181. June 13-22'- Juneteenth, San Angelo. This citywide celebration includes choir performances and pageants, and features art, essay and oratorical contests. A parade and banquet are also planned, featuring Fort Concho's Buffalo Soldiers.

For more information, contact the San Angelo Convention and Visitors Bureau, 500 Rio Concho 76903.800375-1206. Prairies and Lakes June 19-21 Juneteenth Celebration, College Station. Three days of entertainment are in the works as College Station celebrates the holiday with musical and the-r atrical performances. For more information, contact the College Station Convention and Visitors Bureau, 715 University Dr. College Station, 77840.

409260-9898. Piney woods June 21 Juneteenth Celebration, Huntsville. The festivi- ties kick off with a parade starting at Hun tsville's cultural center and ending at the community center with a barbecue cookoff, outdoor activities and the crowning of Mr. and Ms. Juneteenth.

For more information, contact the Hunts-villeWalker County Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 538, Huntsville. 800289-0389. Gulf Coast June 27- Beach Walk Adventure, Port Aransas. Grab your bucket, and meet on the beach at 9 a.m.

fpr a guided beach walk, hosted by a Port Aransas shell enthusiast. This is a great outing for the entire PASSPORT I Presents i ft 0 I if 90 TAMMY JONES A honeymoon cruise after 12 years? Yes, and it was wonderful and I recommend it to all as a first honeymoon or as the second or fiftieth. My husband, Thomas, and I represented Jim Rice Travel The Texas Department of commerce Tourism Division has compiled entertaining activities taking place across Texas during May, Panhandle Plains June 6-21 Juneteenth Celebration, Amarillo. There are events scheduled throughout the month commemorating Juneteenth. Pageants for male and female contestants, a style show, parade, picnic and a dance.

For more information on times and locations, contact the Amarillo Convention and Visitors Bureau, P.O. Box 9480, Amarillo, 79105. 800692-1338. June 21, 28 Nature Walk and Sunset Tales, Big Spring. Take a nature walk in Big Spring State Park and hear tales of treasure, cowboys, Native Americans and more as you watch the sun set over the nearby bluffs.

For. more information, contact Big Spring State Park, No. 1 Scenic Drive, Big Spring, 79720. 915263-4931. June 11 Aug.

23 TEXAS, A Musical Drama, Canyon. Watch Texas history unfold in Palo Duro Canyon State Park, as a cast of 80 actors, dancers and horsemen, perform under the beautiful Texas night sky. Marvelous light and sound effects fill the Pioneer Amphitheater with lightning, thunder and fire, as the story of settling the West Texas Plains comes to life. The drama takes place nightly, except Sundays. Palo Duro Canyon is located 12 miles east of Canyon, on State Highway 217.

For more information, contact the Texas Panhandle Heritage Enjoy the French Huhrter Grhndest Hotel III! IllIll on the occasion of the inaugural of ROYAL CARIBBEAN'S newest ship, the RHAPSODY OF THE SEAS. As this was our first time traveling as a couple I was a little nervous how we would do. No worries! The ship was accommodating to both our tastes and someone seemed always near to cater to our every need. The Rhapsody of the Seas is one of the most beautiful ships I have ever seen. The cuisine was incredible.

The morning was spent strolling the decks and the evening dancing under the stars.The shows exceeded my expectations, but who wouldn't enjoy Ben Vareen singing and dancing just steps away. The ship, RCCLS's largest, is not intimidating, At the Hotel Monteleone, you don't have to pay more to stay at the French Quarter's grandest hotel. With our special $90 GoodtimeSummertime Rate, you'll stay right on Royal Street with all shopping, dining and nightlife right outside our doors. Call your travel agent or the Monteleone today and ask for our low $90 GoodtimeSummertime Rate! but rather very comfortable with the feeling of I PICTURES I great resort. A dramatic two story dining room, Egyptian $750 per pair tnemed spa and a quarter a ot the cabins having Made While You Wait ii! mtiice verandas offer our clients a 1 lTRAuE great experience I OPKN7DAVSAW BtiCAMERAS.INC CAo Fnnllcri Uillano 972-231-3091 7543 Give me a call I Founded in 1886 214 Rue Royale, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130-2201 504-523-3341 FAX 504-528-1019 800-535-9595 "GoodtimeSummertime Rate (plus taxes) effective May 26, 1997 to September 1, 1997 only.

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