Coney Island Opens

Between trips to Virginia to see Mom I went to Coney Island for "opening day" last week. They have completely changed the area where all the rides are and added many new ones. I'm not a big fan of amusement parks nor rides but I did stroll along the boardwalk for a few hours to get a good look at all "the locals". It was bit brisk and windy so the crowd wasn't as large as I had hoped. I still had a good time.

I found this giant boa on display and waited around to see people's reactions to it. Someone made a killing charging $5 to hold the thing for a minute and offering to take a photo with the holder's camera. I have to admit, I was secretly hoping to see it wrap around some big gang member's neck and strangle him to death or possibly eat a small child. Sadly, it didn't happen.

This kid must have thought I was from the press. He climbed up on that railing and did either a front or back flip 20 or 30 times in a row as I clicked away. Secretly, I was hoping to see him bury his head in the sand at least once. Didn't happen... (almost, but not quite).

It was Fleet Week and many sailors (and "sailorettes") were out taking in the sights. They were mobbed like rock stars. Everyone crowded around the great mariners begging to be photographed with them and asking about their latest deployment, all hoping for some great war story. Which from what I overheard, none of them offered. I guess the most dangerous tale they might have would involve getting drunk or catching a venereal disease in some remote port of call around the globe. How thrilling!