Chapter 1: Coney Island Capers

The story goes back to Tuesday, 7/28. The plan...a mini-adventure to Coney Island. The planning took forever...literally hours. First we had to research all the historic places that we could include, map out the stops and then obviously, organize the 411 onto a Google Sheet (see below). But, after a solid effort, we were planned and ready for the adventure.

Even though we were super excited about our mini-adventure the next day, we needed to finish up binging our latest series, "The Reckoning". Sidebar...awesome show - check it out!. Little did we know, that in only a few short hours later, our moods would totally change.

As I was sleeping (probably adorably like an angel), Nicole violently shoved me in an attempt to wake me up from my snoring...this was the first time - I literally sleep like a rock and waking me up is not small feat...that's why a shove and a yell were in order - Mind you, my heart is now racing and I was in a nervous panic from being jolted from my sleep. Slowly, I calmed down and was able to fall back asleep, only for it to happen once again. At this point, I was agitated, but able to fall back asleep. Finally, it happened for the third and final time. I just got up and stormed off to the spare bedroom, huffing and puffing like a toddler that was just put in time-out. I was able to fall asleep, but before I knew it, it was already early morning and time to get up and boy was I a BABY.

To describe myself in a few cute words...I was cranky, stubborn, irritable, sad, angry (pretty much every word that could be used to describe a miserable human being). Of course, Nicole didn't mean to scare me or anything...she was just frustrated and trying to get some sleep herself. I, however, continued to be upset with her and stayed in my incredibly foul mood for the remainder of the morning. Because of this, we got a late start. I passive-aggressively packed our adventure bag (water, snacks, sun tan lotion etc) and we wound up heading out around 10:30. The car ride was quiet as I continued to sulk.

During our 60 minute drive to our first stop, the Coney Island Lighthouse, Nicole was trying to hold my hand and strike up conversations. I, on the other hand, sat in the passenger seat like a comatose child who hadn't napped all day. ​When we pulled up to the lighthouse, I decided, OK, Cara...enough - suck it up and move on...so I did (luckily for Nicole because I could have went with it all day if need be 😂😂😂). I digress...back to the lighthouse. It was actually built in 1890 at the western end of Coney Island in an area known as Norton's Point, which is now also part of the gated community of Sea Gate. We pulled down the dead-end street and saw the lighthouse tucked behind some houses. It was nothing like we expected. It was centered on land surrounded by houses built on top of each other. The view from the point was beautiful though and Nicole was able to snap a few pictures of it too. Even though it wasn't what we expected, at least we can say that we have visited the Coney Island Lighthouse.

From there it was a quick ride to the boardwalk where the rest of our sites were mapped out. We found a lot right on the start of The Riegelmann Boardwalk on West 37th Street and parked right next to the landmark ride "Parachute Jump". We got out of the car to check it out and...WHAM - slapped in the face with the heat 🥵🥵🥵🥵. At the time, we were like, "Oh it's ok...we'll be on the water BLAH BLAH BLAH"...in hind sight - definitely should've bagged the idea of an outside adventure and found a place to sit, relax and have some food and beverages....but again, I digress...Back to the Parachute Jump.

History Alert: It was brought to Coney Island after being purchased for $150,000 after the closing of the 1939 New York World's Fair at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It operated until the closure of Steeplechase Park, where it was located, on September 19, 1964. It must've been amazing at the time, but man, looking at the pictures and seeing it up close...we don't think we would've braved the ride 😳😳😳

Then, sweating like pigs, we walked up to the boardwalk and started the 2.7 mile trek down Riegelmann Boardwalk. Talk about looking like tourists - phones out, snapping photos left and right, updating the Google Sheet, pointing "ohhhhhhhs and ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhs" - all over the place. First on our agenda was Child's Restaurant, which is today's Ford's Amphitheater. What a beautiful building! It reminded us of the buildings in Asbury Park with the elaborate detail and exquisite architecture along with its sculptures of Poseidon, sailing ships, and other sea creatures. Oh wait...I'm sorry...did someone just think to themselves, I wish I had some background historical information on the building?" Lucky for you...I have it - The Child's Building was completed in 1923 as an early restaurant chain. It was a very large restaurant, with three stories and a roof garden.

As we stood on the boardwalk taking pictures, the breeze was gorgeous...the salty air gets us every time. The waves were crashing, the sun was shining, the sky was beautiful...what a gorgeous beach day for all those beach-goers. We, personally, would be in that ocean in a heartbeat, but we didn't plan for that. We lived vicariously through people for a little bit instead...😂😂😂. It was also so nice to see such a diverse group of people entering and exiting the beach...the FREE beach...because only in New Jersey do you have to pay to enter a public beach 😡😡😡🙄🙄🙄🤬🤬🤬

There were two main parks we wanted to hit up along the boardwalk. First up was Deno's Amusement Park...home of the famous Wonder Wheel and the unforgettable Spook-o-Rama. It must've been such an amazing thing to experience when it first opened in 1920. That day we looked at like, "Oh a ferris wheel", but after looking at the original pictures of it, we quickly developed a great appreciation for it. Now, by this time, we had officially sweat through our shirts and I was on the verge of passing out. There are no words to describe the amount of sweat - where was it coming from...how worse will it get...when will it stop - these were the thoughts that were running through our minds. Nonetheless we persisted...

By this time, we were STARVING...practically withering away! We settled on Nathan's (of course the wrong Nathan's because we stayed on the boardwalk). It was so disappointing. We were so excited to eat the original Nathan's. The Nathan's that started in 1916. The Nathan's where the Hot Dog Challenge is every year. But, we settled for the Boardwalk Nathan's because we didn't want to get off course (we also knew we would hit the original on the walk back to the car 😂😂).

Don't get me wrong... Did we still got a hot dog, fries to split and the largest beers they had"...💯💯💯. Did we have to get the Coney Island Mermaid Pilsner because...when in Coney Island 💯💯💯. We were barely able to get down half a hot dog each because it was just too hot...the beer got warm to fast...and the fries were disgustingly greasy. Not typical behavior for us, not enjoyable, but we needed the break. Then off we went to Luna Park...

By this time, we were walking in a bit of a fog. Between the heat, being thirsty, sweating through our clothes, panicking about the walk back to the car, and legs like jello, we did find THE CYCLONE! Nicole was able to take a few pics, but we were also dealing with an emergency. Nicole needed to use the bathroom.

At this point, I, personally, was too afraid to go to the bathroom because I knew I wouldn't be able to get my pants back up...the sweat was real. I also think I started to sweat every drop of liquid my body was carrying. Nicole, on the other hand, braved the bathroom and was able to pee in an old subway car...a CLEAN subway car! Not many people could say they've done that!

By this time, we were nearing the end of the boardwalk. Nicole kept snapping away as we walked by some really cool wall murals and eventually stumbled upon the Aquarium. She really nailed the photography portion of this blog. Again, Superwoman (she could now add photographer to her resume). Finally, we got to the end of boardwalk as we reached Brighton Beach. I was immediately brought back to one of my favorite movies "Brighton Beach Memoirs". If you have never seen the movie...check it out...you won't be disappointed.

When we reached the street, the air literally slapped us in the face again. Our butts were officially being kicked. We were red faced, sopping wet and ready to get to the car...BUT...there was a few more stops. We decided to cut back up into the boardwalk to get some better photos of the Spook-o-Rama. This is when we passed Margarita Island...the blending, the mixing, the music...we were in heaven - too bad it was closed until 4pm. We turned right up West 12th, which led us past Coney Island USA, which had recreated works and advertisements from the original Fun House exhibit along with an indoor display, which is currently closed #Quarantine2020 🙄. We turned left onto Surf Ave just in time to see the original Surf Ave/Stillwell Ave Station. What a Beaut! It was here that we were able to spot it...the ORIGINAL NATHAN'S! As we got closer, I got more and more excited, but then PANIC. The waiting on the line, in a mask, knowing we were going to have to sit at a table on the blacktop, just didn't do it for us. Of course, we did order a hot dog, but this time got a large Coke. We had half of each again because the thought of getting to the car and into the air-conditioning was overwhelming. Right across the street, under construction, was the Surf Ave Shore Theater. Another historic spot in Coney Island.

As we walked along Surf Ave, we came to Pete's Clam Stop. Did we stop?...only enough to take a picture of the incredible slogan, "Eat Clams make BABIES...Eat Oysters make TWINS". As we continued to walk, we noticed that the spots on the street were labeled by group and spot. The one that I happened to see was 314379, which is my birthday in two ways! It was meant to be...And yes, we forgot to play the lottery with it...otherwise, I'm sure we'd be millionaires by now. Our final leg of the trek back had us walk by Cyclone Stadium, which is also the home of Coney Island Brewery. Just like Margarita Island, it wasn't open until 4pm. And man...could we have used a few 🧜‍♀️ at this point. Finally, we got back to the car and sat in the air to decompress for a good 15 minutes. Mind you, I have yet to use the bathroom...Nicole only braved it once, which is a miracle!

Here are a few random pics that Nicole on our way down the boardwalk...

We decided to take a ride through Brooklyn on our way home and hit up 3 of the oldest buildings in New York as our route home. This is for the history nerd in all of us -

First up...Hendrick I. Lott House on 1940 E 36th St, Brooklyn, NY 11234. It was built during the Age of Discovery—50 years older than America itself! It was home to both women and men, immigrant and native-born, enslaved and free, who helped transform a wild land into New York City.

From there we traveled to 5816 Clarendon Road in the Canarsie neighborhood of Brooklyn, which is the home to The Wyckoff House. It is built on land that Wouter van Twiller purchased from the local Lenape people in approximately 1636. The house is estimated to have been built ca. 1652, making it one of the oldest surviving examples of a Dutch frame house in America.

Our next stop was Jan Martense Schenck House, which is located at 200 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn. According to Schenck family tradition, Jan Martense Schenck, the man who built this house, arrived in New Netherland in 1650. He is first documented in Flatlands in 1660. On December 29, 1675, he purchased the land on which he built the house, along with a half interest in a nearby gristmill. Last, but not least, is the Brooklyn Museum...OY! What a beautiful building. And these my friends, are 4 out of the 10 oldest buildings in New York...all found in Brooklyn!

Finally, we headed to the Brooklyn Bridge, which took us passed the Brooklyn Inn. Also known as, the oldest bar in Brooklyn. Shockingly enough...it, too, was closed. We were also very excited to see that the Brooklyn Library had a PRIDE Flag proudly flying outside the building...gets us every time 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈 Then we twisted and turned our way through Manhattan...eventually getting to the Lincoln Tunnel...we were home in 15 minutes. The quick ending to a super long day 😴😴😴

It was a great day and another mini-adventure in the books. Get out there and give it a try! You're never too old or too busy to take a quick adventure! The memories will always be worth it!