I went to Jones Beach today
 

From time to time Jones Beach pops up in one thread or another here, always because it is a stop for Stevie when she does a summer 'shed' tour. Now, because of it's greatly increased size, it is also a stop for FM. (well, come to think of it, BTM-era stopped here too)

I usually butt in with my .02, but today I went there only after a lonnng time absence. I was visiting my mom who lives on the island, and decided to head due south until I reached Jones. As today was the first day of 'Spring Ahead', it was a longer day of sun and oh it was just gloriously sunny. All day, until about 7pm. Fantastic, and this always helps my mood issues clear up until the next winter. Oh, well it was cold. But, sunny.

Unfortunately, when I went to snap pics with my digital cam the message on the little screen read "Please insert memory stick". (Note to self: keep spare memory stick in glove box).
I took pics with my phone. Arrgh. I wanted you all to see how stark and beautiful the Atlantic ocean is up here in winter...these silly phone pics do it no justice at all. Sigh.

This is the edge of the parking area, where you can simply walk out onto the soft white sand (not pebbles, not rocks, but fine white quartz sand) to the water.

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This is the picnic area right on the ocean. High tides and rain have filled it in with water so right now it looks like a little pond and the seagulls are feasting on something. In summer, this is a very festive area with people grilling food. For some reason, this picnic area attracts a large Latino contingent. In summer, they have salsa playing and kites flying...and the foods are just heavenly smelling. Much more interesting than burgers and dogs. Their parties last well into the evening. This is also the prime kite-flying zone year-round. God, I love this beach.

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This pic is junky. I took it from my MOVING car on the Ocean Parkway. The ocean was on my left, and Zach's Bay is on the right...in the distance you can see the Jones Beach Theater. Yes, the theater is actually on the bay side, but from those high grandstand seats you can the boats coming in. At night, when the boats have their lights on, and the ocean breeze comes in, and Stevie is singing 'Still of The Night'...well it's just goosebumps, I tell ya.

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Great pics Pete!! I SOOOO want to go there one of these days! I have a good friend in the Bronx who is not doing too well, and I HAVE to get over there to meet/see her.. Plus, I have other friends who live in/ or near the NY area who I'd love to meet too!

I was born in Wantagh and lived there for my first 13 years. We used to go to Jones Beach all of the time in the summer. Thanks for posting those- that was a trip down memory lane for me!

Get OUT.

I'm from Levittown, originally. :nod:

Ha, I think my family used to go to a YMCA or some kind of a health club in Levittown when I was little. We moved out to the Eastern End of LI when I was 13.

Wasn't Jones Beach (park) the creation of Robert Moses?

Jack Lalane's. Or, now it's called 'Bally's'. It's right by my old high school. I went to college out East, not way out...but sort of out.
In Stony Brook.

Sometimes I don't realize the beautiful things that are out there on the island now that I live here in the city. So close, but so far. It took me 2 hours to get to my brothers house in Bellmore, next town over from Wantagh, from Brooklyn this morning. I keep my car parked there, you see. So I have to take 2 subways and a train to get out there to pick it up. :distress:

I think Stevie has said she could either only live by the ocean, or in the desert. That she needs the energy of those places. I think I tend to agree. There is such magic near the crashing waves, and a desert at night?....just lovely.

Yes, and he declared it his 'crown jewel'. In it's day, it was an art-deco wonderland.

I have always lived by the ocean- first in Wantagh and then in Mattituck. Later in life, I moved to Florida for a while. It's difficult to live in NC in that I am 3 hours from the beach.

Can you believe my father commuted first from Wantagh and then from Mattituck into Manhattan (where he worked) for over 20 years? :shocked:

Hooo, Matticuck to Manny-Hanny??? Good lord, what a long trip that must have been every day. Oy. At least 60 miles.

I read the "Power Broker" book by Robert Caro...all about the dictator Moses. IMO he did great things for New York City

I should go there one of these days. I just have to overcome my midwestern phobia of driving in the New York area.:lol:

i have never been to jones beach. have you seen any shows there. especially stevie shows?

I miss the ocean. :( I'm a New England girl. Thanks for the photos.

That book is on my list of things I want to read soon. I might pick it up next, after I finish the glurge my mother bought me ('The Gift'- a chicken soupy for the soul kinda book).

Robert Moses did do some great things. But, he also cut off access to the waterfront for most NYC folks with the West Side Highway and FDR Drive projects. But, now that our waterfront is no longer a 'working waterfront', I think slowly the desire for waterfront access will override the physical limitations and we'll some more creative thinking. Converting old piers, for one- or reclaiming land by using landfill.

I forgive him for that, when I see the stunning beauty of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge.