Sometimes I think it goes without saying: I love Coney Island. But then, I remember, not everyone has wandered the phasmatrope inside my head for the past few years as I wrote a novel inspired by the heart of this special place. They haven't heard the flap and slap of my character's feet against the loose wooden planks of the boardwalk or peeled back the sidewalk to reveal the underworld I created from the contrast of color and grit.
I take trips to Coney Island like I'm entering some magical land, one I have to shh and awe and gaze and point at only once or twice a year, because, to go there too often, well, I couldn't. I have never wanted to know every turn or bend. I prefer to leave Coney Island to my imagination and get lost there.
Last October, after the Sandy storm, there were questions about Coney Island's recovery. I'm not going to pretend that the people who call this place home are not still suffering from the tremendous loss. I'm not going to pretend there isn't work to be done.
But this is Coney Island today (well, technically, yesterday) with its crowded boardwalk and thrill rides at Luna Park (what's your thrill level:
extreme, high, moderate, or mild?) This is a packed Brooklyn Cyclones game and the original Nathan's, the Surf Avenue location, open again. And the dazzling new lights of the Parachute Jump, 8000 of them, said to be seen from space.
I wish we could have known last fall.
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| Papa Burger |
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| Boardwalk Flight - A Sky Coaster |
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| Parachute Jump before Sunset |
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| Crowded Boardwalk |
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| Filming the Boardwalk Flight from the iPad mini. |
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| Surprise! |
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| Parachute Jump at Sunset |
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| Brooklyn Cyclones Game |
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| I just really like the Nathan's sign |
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| Wonder Wheel |
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| Just reminds me of 'Big' |
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| A 10:30pm Cyclone ride anyone? |
