Sunday, September 12, 2010

Ocean Pier

Opened on July 2, 1898, the Pier at Old Orchard Beach and and Ballroom at the end had its hay-day in the 1940s with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Xavier Cugat and Benny Goodman performing there. Over the years, fires and fierce storms did great damage to the original structure. I do remember in the 70s, one last big fire reeked quite a bit of destruction(including one of my favorite rides the Jack and Jill Slide), and in 1978, a blizzard destroyed what was left of the Pier. Rebuilt and reopened in 1980, the Pier juts again out into the Atlantic and draws many summer tourists to its shops and restaurants. These days, most summer days and nights are too frantic for me here. I do so enjoy this deserted beach during winter though. Come January, It'll be me, a few gulls, a hauntingly empty Palace Playland and lonely crashing waves. I'll enjoy that.



15 comments:

  1. Beautiful spot; it would draw me to it, too.

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  2. I love a nice quiet beach and pier. The crowds are just too much.

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  3. Oh to walk on that beach and get sand and ocean water on my toes and feet...

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  4. It is a wilderness without the trees. I would like it too.


    Thanks for the visit and comment.

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  5. Perfect post for a Sunday morning. Love it! I can almost hear the ocean.

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  6. Fascinating.Having grown up in Carmel, I too relish the after-summer foggy windswept beach with the sandpipers and seagulls. Love your back story about Sinatra and that whole era.

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  7. Great place for winter wanderings and solitude.

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  8. Wow! This is a very incredible place! Feel like you're in a Nicholas Sparks Novel in this one :D

    Steven^^

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  9. That's nice. The sand looks so smooth.

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  10. We'll enjoy it too through your wonderful photography and text.

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  11. Wonderful composition, love this shot very much!

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  12. the underneath of piers are always interesting

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  13. A perfect composition with great colors.

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  14. This is a wonderful compostion. The last time I went to Old Orchard Beach I was a teenager, so it's been a while...a long while!
    ☼ Sunny

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  15. http://thescuttlefish.com/2010/09/solace-anticipated/

    I'm with you on the feeling :)

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