Hi Woodsy. Took my annual drive to Wildwood to see the sights and think about things past, present and future.
And...I think Ill have an Ice Cream Cone from Kohr's Bros.(Mint /Chocolate swirl with chocolate sprinkles).Here are some random photos including a new ride called "Cygnus X-1".
I also got some cool toys on sale, as the stores get ready to clear inventory and close for the Winter. (Brrrrr...don't like to think about that just yet).
-Brian F
Monster Base
NJ
USA
Here's what I found in Wildwood's toy shops. There's Funko's Primal age Batcave, an interesting Batman/ He-Man type mash up. I also found a McFarlane Hunchback playset in package for a very reasonable price. Ol' Quasimodo will be part of my upcoming Halloween toy display. More on that later!
I saw this online last year so saved the snaps. Check out this beautiful miniature ride car by L’ Autopède Belgium made in 1958. A wonderfully constructed space age car straight out of Jules Verne or similar!
Here are some pics of my semi annual visit to the Boardwalk in Wildwood, NJ, a place I know you have visited yourself and a place we all agree is reminiscent of the eerie amusement pier in The Lost Boys!
These late Summer trips help me to accept Summer's inevitable departure and reflect on where I've been and where I'm going.
The other day Brian F posted his great atmospheric snaps of Wildwood pier and rides in the New Jersey night.
It reminded reader Mish of the opening to TV's Journey to the Unknown from 1968 and I agree, its one creepy eerie fairground with a hauntingly whistled theme!
What do you think?
Episodes of this old nerve-tingling series on You Tube.
Another ghostly fairground appeared in Herk Harvey's 1962 weirdster Carnival of Souls. I've seen a colourised version of this film but I have to admit for pure atmosphere I prefer the black and white original, available gratis on You Tube.
One of my fave fairground takes appears in the opening titles of The Lost Boys, that vampire-fest starring the Two Coreys [Haim sadly died in 2010, Feldman still around] and one Keifer Sutherland from way back in 1987.
There is something eerily sorrowful about the whole idea that young immortals hang around their town's fairground. Yes, I suppose that's the Lost in the title, a reference to Rufio and the gang in Peter Pan, trapped in Neverland forever.
The theme Cry Little Sister has stuck in my mind ever since first seeing this flick in the late Eighties.
Thou shalt not fall! Remember?
Do you like the Lost Boys?
To round off this ride on the fell rim of night here's a tale from my own neck of the woods, the sad demise of Lancashire's own Disneyland, the medieval theme park Camelot.
As if built from straight from the pages of Michael Crichton's Medieval World, Camelot, with castles and candy floss, rose from the earth in 1983. I'd already left Lancashire for pastures new so I never got to sample the delight's of this northern treat in Chorley.
Alas, like the aging knights of the round table themselves, Camelot went to seed and closed its drawbridge in 2012.
Abandoned, Camelot has become a magnet for the curious. You Tube is bristling with urban explorations into its decaying splendour. Here's a more professional look behind the scenes from TV's the One Show.
Have you an abandoned park or fairground near you? Have you ever come across one readers?
HI Woodsy.I have taken my annual visit to Wildwood NJ.The boardwalk ,which is usually not crowded in early August,was even less crowded,probably because of Covid concerns. The amusement piers are open,with cleaning crews keeping things clean and safe.While I did walk out on the piers,I wasn't so much interested in the rides.My goal was some early Christmas shopping. The little shops along the boardwalk are famous for unusual items and most are having end of season sales.I also wanted to indulge in a slice of boardwalk pizza. My choice was an unusual one.Pizza with grilled chicken, barbecue sauce and white cheddar cheese.Surprisingly good! I took some pics of the gaudy glitz that best defines the Wildwoods
I took advantage of a beautiful weekend and visited nearby shore points.
I like to do this every year about this time because the crowds are diminished and nights are a bit cooler.
The 2 islands I visited have boardwalk attractions with rides,shops, and plenty of food and drink. I usually grab a slice of pizza first and later have an ice cream cone!
My goal was to get some fresh air and exersize and to take pics of rides that had a spooky theme. Friday night was spent in Ocean City, a place I should visit more often as it's only 10 minutes from my house!
There was a ghost train simply titled "Dark Ride", a Pirates "Den and a wicked looking ride called "Alien Abduction".
Saturday night was a longer drive, about 45 minutes, to Wildwood. There,I witnessed the awesome "Ignis Fatuus", a rusting hulk of a ship infested with zombies.
This ride is said to be inspired by the movie "The Philadelphia Experiment".Next was a simpler theme.A clown' s smiling face welcomes you to the Funhouse, a realm of moving floors and distorted mirrors. Lastly,A ghost train nearly as old as me, the gothic "Dante's Den".
Hopefully,weather and time permitting,I can visit these places again before Summer's end.
