coney island

we have been waiting to check out coney island.
when we first moved here we waited too long and it was closed down;
so spring re-opening was our go time.

before the play by play a bit of history-

it first gained favor in the 1930's-40's
coney island hotel was constructed in 1829
first carousel on the island was built in 1876
nathan's first hot dog stand opened in 1916
from 1880-world war 2 it was the largest amusement park area in the united states
several million visited every year

most famous parks= luna park, dreamland, and steeplechase park
3 rides are designated nyc landmarks and are listed on the national register of historic places
1. wonder wheel- ferris wheel built in 1918 and opened in 1920
2. the cyclone- built in 1927, one of the oldest wooden roller coasters still operating.
3. parachute jump (aka brooklyn's eiffel tower)- built at the 1939 ny world's fair, closed in 1968.

contains ~2.5 miles of beach
hosts the mermaid parade
also hosts nathan's hot dog eating contest (68 is the record.... in 10 minutes....)

now how we met coney island/the atlantic ocean.

mary and cousin ivy had to sand dabble 

 then dabbling wasn't enough for mares

 mary saw sandy freedom- so she ran, and ran, and ran

 when sand didn't quench her desires

she naturally turned to water 

 we introduced ourselves to the atlantic

 then mary couldn't help but get personal

an atlantic head dive for a toddler fish

 even though it was a harsh first meet she instantly went back for more

 then it became a near nude beach

mary and ivy had to wet all the sand on the beach

teeny toddler sand footprints

**mama heart melts**

diapered baby making teeny sand footprints

**triple mama heart melts**

 my new favorite mary picture

 i will now find any reason to use the word "jetty"

 boardwalk art

 the pier view

 pier monkey cousins

someone's loot  at the end of the pier

the fisher in me was aching for a pole cast

 we had to stop at this joint

anything that includes "birthplace" of anything i will go see

i love hot dogs and this is the birthplace of such a meat concoction 

 mary got pumped about danger that's fun 

 she found heaven 

 she and ivy waited for tickets

 then came the depressing reality of the "height factor"

she talked it all over with her uncle josh

 then mares decided to take the next best danger option and we headed for our transport home

 her dad threw in a pull-up show for free

(we had the subway car all to ourselves- possibly the only time ever in my life.)

mary couldn't have been more impressed with coney island 

my only regret is that i didn't come here sooner. 

this place is a bit trashy- 

you feel a bit sketchy coming off the subway-

the rides and everything are ridiculously overpriced-

but once that pier and that beach come into view....... heaven. 

go see this old american classic. 

it's really quite a show.