The Sunday of Labor Day weekend was my first trip to Coney Island since February of this year. Normally, I am there a lot. During the winter, I like to watch the Coney Island Polar Bears swim and take photos. They are a beautiful group.
Once Luna Park opens, I like to ride the Cyclone many times. When my uncle was about 17 he rode it 18 or 19 times in a row. It was about fifty cents a ride back then. Now it is $10. I usually ride it four or five times in a row. Go elsewhere and come back for a few more rides. It is fun. I love to walk the boardwalk and see the characters. Over the last few years, I’ve come to know many. Even shared a beer or two with some at the Coney Island Brewery.
Exiting the subway station on my Labor Day weekend visit, I felt something was missing. Coney Island is a spiritual place. For me the most spiritual place is Chappegat Hill, the greatest summer camp. Sadly, its last summer was ’88. There was no reason for it to close. But that’s another story. The original Yankee Stadium is another place very high on the spiritual list. It should still be there. Again, that’s another story.
Coney Island offers an amazing feeling. So many people are just out to have a good time. Whether they are swimming during the summer or in frigid winter, riding the Cyclone, fishing off Pat Auletta’s Steeplechase pier and of course, grabbing hot dogs at Nathan’s. It is the people’s place.
I was there that day to go to Gargiulo’s Restaurant, another one of Coney’s icons. It was for my birthday. Several family members met up. Never did patio dining there. “Thanks” to Covid-19 that’s all that was available. It was grand. The food is always perfect, the weather was great for outdoor dining and I got to sit next to my nephew. What could be better?
A lot could be better. As I walked along the boardwalk I was in tears when I saw no line at Nathan’s, Tom’s Coney Island and Paul’s Daughter. Seeing a dormant Cyclone was harrowing. Same with the Wonder Wheel at Deno’s Park. And of course not being able to walk through Luna Park to enjoy its rides, carnival games and arcade sucked.
Auletta’s pier still had some fisherman. But they were not out in droves like usual. My Nikon was snapping away as I strolled an empty boardwalk. I met up with the family for lunch.
As always I loved walking the boardwalk. But I was sad. It was Labor Day weekend and empty. In 2018, I spent my birthday on the boardwalk.. I rode the Cyclone countless times. Bought a Cyclone t-shirt in the Luna Park gift shop. And met up with a Polar Bear or two. The boardwalk was bustling. The lines for the rides, food and other attractions were lengthy.
No one wants to wait in lines. We all want to get right into our seats on the ride. Or get our greasy hot dog and fries. These days, I’d give anything to stand on an annoying line.
Prior posts are here.
Pandemic Watch: Essential Workers
Pandemic Watch: Essential Workers
Pandemic Watch: Rediscovering NYC
Pandemic Watch: Rediscovering NYC
Pandemic Watch: Gloves
Pandemic Watch “Gloves”
Pandemic Watch: Back to the City
Pandemic Watch: Back to the City
“Pandemic Watch: Facial expressions,”
Pandemic Watch: Facial expressions
“Pandemic Watch: What will we do with our masks and gloves at the end?”
Pandemic Watch: What will we do with our masks and gloves at the end?
Pandemic Watch, Staying in Shape,”
Pandemic Watch: Staying in shape
“Pandemic Watch: Community groups stepping up,”
Pandemic Watch: Community groups stepping up
“Pandemic Watch: Have masks replaced fuzzy dice in windshields?”
Pandemic Watch: Have masks replaced fuzzy dice in windshields?
“Pandemic Watch: How will we be entertained?”
Pandemic Watch: How will we be entertained?
“Pandemic Watch: Communicating via video,”
Pandemic Watch: Communicating via video
“Single Life”
Pandemic Watch: Single life
“Pandemic Watch: Seniors and lifesaving phone calls during the pandemic or other times,”
Pandemic Watch: Seniors and lifesaving phone calls during the pandemic or other times
“Pandemic Watch: There are places I remember.”
Pandemic Watch: There are places I remember
“Pandemic Watch: Creating a new fashion statement,”
Pandemic Watch: Creating a new fashion statement
“Pandemic Watch: Sitting on your stoop,”
Pandemic Watch: Sitting on your stoop
“Pandemic Watch: What does a four-year-old think about our situation?”
Pandemic Watch: What does a four-year-old think about our situation?
“Pandemic Watch: Will my nephew ever know how good it was?”
Pandemic Watch: Will my nephew ever know how good it was?
“Pandemic Watch: What will happen when I get released on parole?”
Pandemic Watch: What will happen when I get released on parole?
“Pandemic Watch: We live in interesting times,”
Pandemic Watch: We live in interesting times
“Pandemic Watch: Dressing during the Covid-19 pandemic,”
Pandemic Watch: Dressing during the Covid-19 pandemic
“Pandemic Watch: Yes, it is Monday,”
Pandemic Watch: Yes, it is Monday
“How skills I learned as a teen in the scouts help during the Covid-19 pandemic, “
How skills I learned as a teen in the scouts help during the Covid-19 pandemic
“How the Covid-19 pandemic causes us to rethink old habits,”
How the Covid-19 pandemic causes us to rethink old habits
“Traveling on public transit and being outside during the Covid-19 pandemic,” https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/29/traveling-on-public-transit-and-being-outside-during-the-covid-19-pandemic
“Grocery shopping during Covid-19. Or anytime,” https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/28/grocery-shopping-during-covid-19-or-anytime
“I want to help restaurants during the pandemic. But…,”
I want to help restaurants during the pandemic. But…
“Masks and gloves,” https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/03/30/608
“Trashy Parks,”
Trashy Parks
Mitchell's thoughts, photos, etc. 