It was an ordinary day. Getting my afternoon shower after returning from the beach and helping get supper ready for the family. Seems to be the daily routine during our yearly family vacation at Ocean City, NJ. Well, tonight is a night for the boardwalk. Weather is great and the grandkids and the regular kids are ready for the rides and a late evening stroll accompanied by a cold treat. We never have dessert for supper, since we save that for the boardwalk. After the evening meal we clean the table, wash the dishes and dress for the boardwalk. Carol and I always take a sweatshirt with us in case it gets cold later in the evening. Everyone else passes on the extra clothes, since they all have better circulation than we do. We take a right out of our condo complex and head up 9th Street to the boardwalk. Only takes about three minutes, since we are so close to the beach. Turn left when we get to the boardwalk and head towards Wonderland Pier. That is where most of the rides are that everyone enjoys. The sun is setting when we reach Wonderland and my granddaughters and me head to the Giant Wheel. One of my favorite rides and the only people who will ride with me are Courtney and Camille, and sometimes my son-in-law Dave. But, he holds on so tight and doesn't look around much when you get to the top. What fun is that? After a 15 minute wait we hop in the car. Time for a quick photo before the car starts in motion. Don't like to move around much in the car when it is motion. Tonight, after the photo, Courtney sits on one side while Camille and I sit on the opposite side. I hand Courtney my camera and she starts shooting pixs from her position. Got a few really neat ones of the other rides and the entire length of the boardwalk. She really enjoys taking photos. We travel around for three times and the car stops us at the top for loading at the other end. After a short time we travel three more times. Unbelievable sights of the sunset from the top of the wheel. Years ago I was terrified of heights, but overcame the fear by telling myself that it was no big deal. Worked!! "OK, now who's ready for the Canyon Falls ride," I ask as we exit the Giant Wheel? My son Derek, grandson Caden, Camille and I head in that direction. Rides are fairly empty tonight and we hop right in a car. The entire name of this ride is the Canyon Falls Log Flume and you sit in a car shaped like a log, two people in the front and two people in the rear. Caden sits in the front with his dad and Camille and I take up the rear part of the car. If you haven't figured it out yet, it is a water ride. I decided to put my sweatshirt on instead of leaving it on the seat of the car and having it get wet. Bad mistake! We move around the waterway and then hit the ramp that will take us to the top. Up we go! You can hear the metal chain under the car catch and whine as it pulls the weight to the top. Probably about 40-50 feet up by the time you reach the top. The car floats in a trough around the top and then ....... drops at a very steep angle to the water pool at the bottom. "NO HANDS!!," I shout as we start down the drop. Hey, they're all holding on! No Fair! Never get tired of the thrill you get in your stomach when you hit the top and drop down the chute. My daughter-in-law has her camera trained on us and starts shooting. We hit the bottom and the water rushes to the back and soaks my sweatshirt. Gonna be a chilly night, I can see. Darkness is setting in and the family heads to other rides. I got my fill for the night and start taking photos. Little bit of everything; even a few timed exposures to show the action. We wander into the arcade next door to Wonderland and watch the kids try out the video games. Courtney challenges me to a basketball shooting contest and I give it a try. Carol and I can't seem to enjoy all the noise at the arcade and head down the boardwalk to find our treat for the evening. The choices are limitless, but we choose Dairy Queen; a hot fudge sundae for me and a mint Blizzard for her. How do all these people seem to have limitless energy? We tire of walking and head back to watch the end of the Phillies game. At least I watch! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
Off to Wonderland to act like a child, again.
Camille, LDub, and Courtney riding the Big Wheel in 2011
Next 2 are Courtney's shots from the top of the Giant Wheel, about 50 up in the air
The Canyon Falls Log Flume ride
"Hands Up," I yelled, but looks like no one heard!
The Giant Wheel at dusk
Timed exposure of the Big Swings on the left and the Giant Wheel on the right
Courtney, daughter Brynn, and Camille getting ready to ride their favorite, the "Moby Dick"
Times exposure of my daughter and granddaughters riding their favorite
Courtney changeling me to a game of basketball
Evening on the Boardwalk
Seems to be a popular place to buy a souvenir.
How can all these vendors survive year after year?
Corner of 9th and Boardwalk. We have to pass it as we head to home, so ......... why not?
No comments:
Post a Comment