'Welcome to Zombieland': Haunting new images reveal theme park devastated by Hurricane Katrina... and left abandoned ever since

By FIONA ROBERTS


Desolation: This eerie photograph shows a corroded rollercoaster soaring into the sky behind a graffiti-covered ride at the abandoned Six Flags theme park, New Orleans


New Orleans has made a remarkable recovery since the city was devastated by flooding during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

But now stunning new images have emerged which show how one part of the Big Easy has yet to be revived - its Six Flags theme park.

The haunting photographs, taken over the past six years, reveal an almost post-apocalyptic landscape dominated by twisted and corroded rides, now silent forever.

Graffiti covers many of the buildings, welcoming visitors to 'Zombieland' - a fitting name for the eerie park, which has been completely abandoned.


Eerie: A smashed-up clown's head looks terrifying amid the abandoned rides, like this rusting rollercoaster car, right. The flood-waters reached up to seven feet high


A smashed-up clowns head lies abandoned on the floor, while most of the rides have been left for the weeds to colonise.

During the flooding, Six Flags, in a low-lying area towards the east of the city, was submerged in up to seven feet of water, which wasn't drained for almost a month.

The combination of sea and river water corroded most of the rides, damaging them beyond repair. According to a report at the time, 80 per cent of the buildings were completely destroyed.


'Welcome to Zombieland, kids': Vandals have taken advantage of the park's devastation to spray graffiti on every surface


Abandoned: Floodwaters ripped through the Six Flags amusement park, flattening 80 per cent of the buildings and damaging most of the rides beyond repair


Drowned: Vegetation has grown over these abandoned trucks, which ironically used to be part of a jungle ride


Only one attraction could be salvaged - Batman: The Ride, which escaped more or less unscathed because its operating platform was higher than the flood waters.

For several months there were rumours that the site's leaseholders, Six Flags, would be able to reopen the park in 2006 or 2007, using an insurance payout.

The firm took over the site, formerly known as Jazzland, in 2002. But it had been losing money and was struggling to attract visitors, making it the chain's least popular park even before Hurricane Katrina.



Derelict: Most of the park has been reduced to tangled, rusty metal, after it was submerged for more than a month in a corrosive mixture of sea and river water


Paradise lost: The blacked-out sign for 'paradise hot dogs' points mockingly at the park, where weeds have been left to grow over many of the abandoned rides


Faded grandeur: These once proud buildings are now slowly falling apart after they were devastated by the floods - but the graffiti oddly supplies a note of hope


In 2006 Six Flags declared the park an 'effective total loss' and tried to get out of its 75-year lease with the City of New Orleans, saying insurers were not paying out enough to repair it.

A year after Katrina, the firm removed Batman: The Ride to be refurbished. Two years later it was reopened at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio, where it was called Goliath.

Since then developers have proposed several plans to save the park. In 2008, Southern Star Amusement announced a $70million proposal to take over the lease and double the number of rides to 60, as well as creating a water park.


Fallen silent: This carousel has been left to rust away like the rest of the park, which was already losing money before Katrina hit


Destruction: These computers, left, were smashed to pieces by the floods, while this sorry-looking sign has been left to rust away in the weeds



Washed out: The colour has faded from this once-jaunty sign for a SpongeBob Square Pants ride


In 2009 it revealed it planned to work with Nickelodeon to create the company's biggest-ever theme park, which would create 600 jobs.

But the $165million project has failed to materialise. According to the most recent reports, Southern Star Amusement filed a letter of intent to redevelop the park with the city council in January this year.

Until then, Six Flags will remain as a haunting memorial to the devastation of Katrina.


source: dailymail

Seventy-four with a six-pack: Meet the grandmother who is the world's oldest female bodybuilder

By Daily Mail Reporter


She may be a grandmother, but don't call her old.

Ernestine Shepherd, 74, of Baltimore has been crowned by the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest competitive female bodybuilder ever.

She told the Washington Post: 'Age is nothing but a number'.

Ms Shepherd has impeccably toned 'six-pack' abs that are the marvel of her Baltimore fitness centre.

Her husband of 54 years, Collin Shepherd, says he 'has trouble keeping guys away from her'.

The Shepherds live in Baltimore with their son, 53, and grandson, 14.

Ms Shepherd does some modelling and teaches fitness classes, and told the Washington Post, 'If you are going to try to motivate people, you have to live that part'.

She also trains rigorously with Yohnnie Shambourger, 57,a former Mr Universe who won the gold medal in bodybuilding at the Pan American Games in 1995.

Mr Shambourger told the Post: 'The six-pack is her signature. When she walks in a room and you see her six-pack, you say, "Ohh! Okay!"

'You are a champion', he told Ms Shepherd during a gruelling session. 'I will train you like what you are'.

Ms Shepherd wakes up at 3 a.m. every day to meditate, then hits the trails in a local park to run 10 miles before lunch.

She eats only plain brown rice, bland chicken breast and vegetables, washed down with a glass of raw egg whites, three times a day.

She told the Post she has no 'desire' for sweets.

Ms Shepherd has appeared on 'Today' and 'The Mo’Nique Show' and has been featured in 'Essence' magazine.

Toned at 74: Ms Shepherd runs 10 miles a day, works out religiously and eats a restricted diet. She also teaches fitness and competes as a bodybuilder. She has won two titles and run nine marathons

Happy: Ernestine Shepherd has been married to Collin Shepherd for 54 years. The Baltimore man cooks all her meals and runs errands so she can have more time to train

First prize: Ms Shepherd shows off a trophy she won in a bodybuilding competition

Coach: Ms Shepherd trains with Yohnnie Shambourger, 57, a former Mr Universe and gold medallist in the Pan American Games. He says of his client: 'The six-pack is her signature'

Raw egg whites: Ms Shepherd drinks a glass of raw egg whites three times a day. She rejects steroids and supplements in favour of a 'natural' plan


On 'The Mo’Nique Show' she told the audience they can get fit, too: 'Because we are determined, dedicated and disciplined to be fit. You can. You can do it'.

Over the past 18 years, Ms Shepherd has run nine marathons and won two bodybuilding contests.

But she wasn't always so fit. Ms Shepherd told the Washington Post she was a 'couh potato' until she was 56 years old, when she and her older sister, Mildred, discovered their bodies had started going soft.

The sisters, who grew up very close in Baltimore as the children of a carpenter and schoolteacher, started working out together at a local centre.

They liked the results, and started pushing themselves, eventually entering some bodybuilding contests.

After Mildred died suddenly of an aneurysm, Ms Shepherd was devastated. Her grief started spiralling out of control, until she remembered a promise and a 'pinkie swear' she had made her older sister.

Champion: Over the past 18 years, Ms Shepherd has run nine marathons and won two bodybuilding contests. She does it in part to remember her late sister, Mildred, who died suddenly of an aneurysm

Teacher: Ms Shepherd leads fitness classes at her church and community centres

Inspiration: Ms Shepherd runs 10 miles a day, and inspires many people in her community and beyond

Pumping iron: Ms Shepherd tells seniors not to be afraid of weight training


The sisters had promised to push themselves to be competitive bodybuilders, and Ms Shepherd decided to keep up that legacy.

So she trains, and eats a restrictive diet, and it helps her remember Mildred.

Their younger sister Bernice, a school principal, told her: 'Every time you feel like you can’t make it, lace up your tennis shoes and get out and go walking'.

According to the Washington Post, when people tell Ms Shepherd she is destined to die soon herself, she says 'We are all going to die.

'But it’s the quality of life while I’m living'.

And when Ms Shepherd's cell phone rings, its the theme from the movie 'Rocky'.

She says Sylvester Stallone is her idol.

Not exactly your typical grandmother.


source:dailymail

Watch out, Pippa! Beautiful Bea is the new Royal Hotness: Princess sizzles at Monaco Grand Prix

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Looking good: Bea shows off the result of her exercise regime in on-trend orange dress and wedge heels


She was the frumpy teenager whose fashion disasters and fuller figure were only too reminiscent of her mother's often-criticised forays into the limelight.

But Princess Beatrice is rapidly metamorphosing into a stunning young Royal ready to snatch even Pippa Middleton's style queen crown.

Showing off her sleek figure in an on-trend orange dress, Fergie and Prince Andrew's 22-year-old daughter looked the epitome of relaxed glamour at the Monaco grand prix.

Her laid back look was accessorised with a narrow belt and neutral coloured wedges which gave her enviably toned legs a little extra length.


Beatrice strolled contentedly around Monte Carlo hand-in-hand with boyfriend Dave Clark, posing for photographs with other race-goers.


Hello, there! Bea and boyfriend Dave Clark look happy in the sunshine as they stroll hand-in-hand at the Grand Prix


She stopped off to chat to Tamara and Petra Ecclestone, the daughters of Formula One mogul Bernie, and then made a suitably superstar departure in a private launch.

Her reinvention seems to have started when she started training for last year's marathon, shedding two stone. She credits a fitness regime based on exercise, lots of water and plenty of fruit and vegetables with keeping the weight off.


Joyful: Dave and his Princess catch the attention of friends


It’s a far cry from the less-than-flattering photographs taken of the princess in a bikini on the beach in St Barts in 2008.

Speaking about the pictures, she said at the time: 'I could probably do with losing the odd pound though, so perhaps it's the kick I need.

'It was such an unflattering bikini and I've got one that's so much nicer, so I could have kicked myself for wearing it.


It's the only way to travel, darling: Beatrice gets a helping hand into the launch


'I thought people were a bit mean, although I know it comes with the territory.
'The trouble is, I don't have much confidence so it can be quite upsetting.'

The Princess's presence added an little extra spice to a particularly glamorous race.

New X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger was in Monaco to support her boyfriend Lewis Hamilton, while rival Jenson Button's girlfriend Jessica Michibata was also trackside.



Loyal: New X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger listens intently to the race


F1 2011 Monaco Grand Prix Pile Up



F1 2011 Monaco Lewis Hamilton "Maybe it's because I'm Black"



source: dailymail

Watch out, Pippa! Beautiful Bea is the new Royal Hotness: Princess sizzles at Monaco Grand Prix

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Looking good: Bea shows off the result of her exercise regime in on-trend orange dress and wedge heels


She was the frumpy teenager whose fashion disasters and fuller figure were only too reminiscent of her mother's often-criticised forays into the limelight.

But Princess Beatrice is rapidly metamorphosing into a stunning young Royal ready to snatch even Pippa Middleton's style queen crown.

Showing off her sleek figure in an on-trend orange dress, Fergie and Prince Andrew's 22-year-old daughter looked the epitome of relaxed glamour at the Monaco grand prix.

Her laid back look was accessorised with a narrow belt and neutral coloured wedges which gave her enviably toned legs a little extra length.


Beatrice strolled contentedly around Monte Carlo hand-in-hand with boyfriend Dave Clark, posing for photographs with other race-goers.


Hello, there! Bea and boyfriend Dave Clark look happy in the sunshine as they stroll hand-in-hand at the Grand Prix


She stopped off to chat to Tamara and Petra Ecclestone, the daughters of Formula One mogul Bernie, and then made a suitably superstar departure in a private launch.

Her reinvention seems to have started when she started training for last year's marathon, shedding two stone. She credits a fitness regime based on exercise, lots of water and plenty of fruit and vegetables with keeping the weight off.


Joyful: Dave and his Princess catch the attention of friends


It’s a far cry from the less-than-flattering photographs taken of the princess in a bikini on the beach in St Barts in 2008.

Speaking about the pictures, she said at the time: 'I could probably do with losing the odd pound though, so perhaps it's the kick I need.

'It was such an unflattering bikini and I've got one that's so much nicer, so I could have kicked myself for wearing it.


It's the only way to travel, darling: Beatrice gets a helping hand into the launch


'I thought people were a bit mean, although I know it comes with the territory.
'The trouble is, I don't have much confidence so it can be quite upsetting.'

The Princess's presence added an little extra spice to a particularly glamorous race.

New X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger was in Monaco to support her boyfriend Lewis Hamilton, while rival Jenson Button's girlfriend Jessica Michibata was also trackside.



Loyal: New X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger listens intently to the race


F1 2011 Monaco Grand Prix Pile Up



F1 2011 Monaco Lewis Hamilton "Maybe it's because I'm Black"



source: dailymail

Watch out, Pippa! Beautiful Bea is the new Royal Hotness: Princess sizzles at Monaco Grand Prix

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Looking good: Bea shows off the result of her exercise regime in on-trend orange dress and wedge heels


She was the frumpy teenager whose fashion disasters and fuller figure were only too reminiscent of her mother's often-criticised forays into the limelight.

But Princess Beatrice is rapidly metamorphosing into a stunning young Royal ready to snatch even Pippa Middleton's style queen crown.

Showing off her sleek figure in an on-trend orange dress, Fergie and Prince Andrew's 22-year-old daughter looked the epitome of relaxed glamour at the Monaco grand prix.

Her laid back look was accessorised with a narrow belt and neutral coloured wedges which gave her enviably toned legs a little extra length.


Beatrice strolled contentedly around Monte Carlo hand-in-hand with boyfriend Dave Clark, posing for photographs with other race-goers.


Hello, there! Bea and boyfriend Dave Clark look happy in the sunshine as they stroll hand-in-hand at the Grand Prix


She stopped off to chat to Tamara and Petra Ecclestone, the daughters of Formula One mogul Bernie, and then made a suitably superstar departure in a private launch.

Her reinvention seems to have started when she started training for last year's marathon, shedding two stone. She credits a fitness regime based on exercise, lots of water and plenty of fruit and vegetables with keeping the weight off.


Joyful: Dave and his Princess catch the attention of friends


It’s a far cry from the less-than-flattering photographs taken of the princess in a bikini on the beach in St Barts in 2008.

Speaking about the pictures, she said at the time: 'I could probably do with losing the odd pound though, so perhaps it's the kick I need.

'It was such an unflattering bikini and I've got one that's so much nicer, so I could have kicked myself for wearing it.


It's the only way to travel, darling: Beatrice gets a helping hand into the launch


'I thought people were a bit mean, although I know it comes with the territory.
'The trouble is, I don't have much confidence so it can be quite upsetting.'

The Princess's presence added an little extra spice to a particularly glamorous race.

New X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger was in Monaco to support her boyfriend Lewis Hamilton, while rival Jenson Button's girlfriend Jessica Michibata was also trackside.



Loyal: New X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger listens intently to the race


F1 2011 Monaco Grand Prix Pile Up



F1 2011 Monaco Lewis Hamilton "Maybe it's because I'm Black"



source: dailymail

Watch out, Pippa! Beautiful Bea is the new Royal Hotness: Princess sizzles at Monaco Grand Prix

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Looking good: Bea shows off the result of her exercise regime in on-trend orange dress and wedge heels


She was the frumpy teenager whose fashion disasters and fuller figure were only too reminiscent of her mother's often-criticised forays into the limelight.

But Princess Beatrice is rapidly metamorphosing into a stunning young Royal ready to snatch even Pippa Middleton's style queen crown.

Showing off her sleek figure in an on-trend orange dress, Fergie and Prince Andrew's 22-year-old daughter looked the epitome of relaxed glamour at the Monaco grand prix.

Her laid back look was accessorised with a narrow belt and neutral coloured wedges which gave her enviably toned legs a little extra length.


Beatrice strolled contentedly around Monte Carlo hand-in-hand with boyfriend Dave Clark, posing for photographs with other race-goers.


Hello, there! Bea and boyfriend Dave Clark look happy in the sunshine as they stroll hand-in-hand at the Grand Prix


She stopped off to chat to Tamara and Petra Ecclestone, the daughters of Formula One mogul Bernie, and then made a suitably superstar departure in a private launch.

Her reinvention seems to have started when she started training for last year's marathon, shedding two stone. She credits a fitness regime based on exercise, lots of water and plenty of fruit and vegetables with keeping the weight off.


Joyful: Dave and his Princess catch the attention of friends


It’s a far cry from the less-than-flattering photographs taken of the princess in a bikini on the beach in St Barts in 2008.

Speaking about the pictures, she said at the time: 'I could probably do with losing the odd pound though, so perhaps it's the kick I need.

'It was such an unflattering bikini and I've got one that's so much nicer, so I could have kicked myself for wearing it.


It's the only way to travel, darling: Beatrice gets a helping hand into the launch


'I thought people were a bit mean, although I know it comes with the territory.
'The trouble is, I don't have much confidence so it can be quite upsetting.'

The Princess's presence added an little extra spice to a particularly glamorous race.

New X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger was in Monaco to support her boyfriend Lewis Hamilton, while rival Jenson Button's girlfriend Jessica Michibata was also trackside.



Loyal: New X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger listens intently to the race


F1 2011 Monaco Grand Prix Pile Up



F1 2011 Monaco Lewis Hamilton "Maybe it's because I'm Black"



source: dailymail

Watch out, Pippa! Beautiful Bea is the new Royal Hotness: Princess sizzles at Monaco Grand Prix

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Looking good: Bea shows off the result of her exercise regime in on-trend orange dress and wedge heels


She was the frumpy teenager whose fashion disasters and fuller figure were only too reminiscent of her mother's often-criticised forays into the limelight.

But Princess Beatrice is rapidly metamorphosing into a stunning young Royal ready to snatch even Pippa Middleton's style queen crown.

Showing off her sleek figure in an on-trend orange dress, Fergie and Prince Andrew's 22-year-old daughter looked the epitome of relaxed glamour at the Monaco grand prix.

Her laid back look was accessorised with a narrow belt and neutral coloured wedges which gave her enviably toned legs a little extra length.


Beatrice strolled contentedly around Monte Carlo hand-in-hand with boyfriend Dave Clark, posing for photographs with other race-goers.


Hello, there! Bea and boyfriend Dave Clark look happy in the sunshine as they stroll hand-in-hand at the Grand Prix


She stopped off to chat to Tamara and Petra Ecclestone, the daughters of Formula One mogul Bernie, and then made a suitably superstar departure in a private launch.

Her reinvention seems to have started when she started training for last year's marathon, shedding two stone. She credits a fitness regime based on exercise, lots of water and plenty of fruit and vegetables with keeping the weight off.


Joyful: Dave and his Princess catch the attention of friends


It’s a far cry from the less-than-flattering photographs taken of the princess in a bikini on the beach in St Barts in 2008.

Speaking about the pictures, she said at the time: 'I could probably do with losing the odd pound though, so perhaps it's the kick I need.

'It was such an unflattering bikini and I've got one that's so much nicer, so I could have kicked myself for wearing it.


It's the only way to travel, darling: Beatrice gets a helping hand into the launch


'I thought people were a bit mean, although I know it comes with the territory.
'The trouble is, I don't have much confidence so it can be quite upsetting.'

The Princess's presence added an little extra spice to a particularly glamorous race.

New X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger was in Monaco to support her boyfriend Lewis Hamilton, while rival Jenson Button's girlfriend Jessica Michibata was also trackside.



Loyal: New X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger listens intently to the race


F1 2011 Monaco Grand Prix Pile Up



F1 2011 Monaco Lewis Hamilton "Maybe it's because I'm Black"



source: dailymail

Watch out, Pippa! Beautiful Bea is the new Royal Hotness: Princess sizzles at Monaco Grand Prix

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Looking good: Bea shows off the result of her exercise regime in on-trend orange dress and wedge heels


She was the frumpy teenager whose fashion disasters and fuller figure were only too reminiscent of her mother's often-criticised forays into the limelight.

But Princess Beatrice is rapidly metamorphosing into a stunning young Royal ready to snatch even Pippa Middleton's style queen crown.

Showing off her sleek figure in an on-trend orange dress, Fergie and Prince Andrew's 22-year-old daughter looked the epitome of relaxed glamour at the Monaco grand prix.

Her laid back look was accessorised with a narrow belt and neutral coloured wedges which gave her enviably toned legs a little extra length.


Beatrice strolled contentedly around Monte Carlo hand-in-hand with boyfriend Dave Clark, posing for photographs with other race-goers.


Hello, there! Bea and boyfriend Dave Clark look happy in the sunshine as they stroll hand-in-hand at the Grand Prix


She stopped off to chat to Tamara and Petra Ecclestone, the daughters of Formula One mogul Bernie, and then made a suitably superstar departure in a private launch.

Her reinvention seems to have started when she started training for last year's marathon, shedding two stone. She credits a fitness regime based on exercise, lots of water and plenty of fruit and vegetables with keeping the weight off.


Joyful: Dave and his Princess catch the attention of friends


It’s a far cry from the less-than-flattering photographs taken of the princess in a bikini on the beach in St Barts in 2008.

Speaking about the pictures, she said at the time: 'I could probably do with losing the odd pound though, so perhaps it's the kick I need.

'It was such an unflattering bikini and I've got one that's so much nicer, so I could have kicked myself for wearing it.


It's the only way to travel, darling: Beatrice gets a helping hand into the launch


'I thought people were a bit mean, although I know it comes with the territory.
'The trouble is, I don't have much confidence so it can be quite upsetting.'

The Princess's presence added an little extra spice to a particularly glamorous race.

New X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger was in Monaco to support her boyfriend Lewis Hamilton, while rival Jenson Button's girlfriend Jessica Michibata was also trackside.



Loyal: New X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger listens intently to the race


F1 2011 Monaco Grand Prix Pile Up



F1 2011 Monaco Lewis Hamilton "Maybe it's because I'm Black"



source: dailymail