Hurricanes and Cotton Candy
Living on the East Coast this past weekend was a risk as Hurricane Sandy tore through. I was fortunate enough that it only rained a little Monday and some crazy winds were whipping through town. We didn't even lose power, but all schools in my state closed for the day. Yesterday it was overcast with an occasional sun peeking through, but by nightfall it was down-pouring and there were flash flood warnings. My family and I were very lucky that we avoided all the damage that Sandy has caused. My uncle and his family in New Jersey had to be evacuated from their house by row boat and my grandparents are still without power.
ABC News had a story last night about Seaside Heights on the Jersey Shore. I flashed back to when my sister and I used to visit my grandparents every summer and they would take us to the Jersey Shore. I know you're probably thinking of the ridiculous television show, but the real Jersey Shore is nothing like that. Over the past decade, it has been growing increasingly less popular; the rides were growing rusty and the beach was receding further and further. In its heyday, the shore was the vacation place to go. The boardwalk stretched as far as the eye could see, vendors sold cotton candy, beach towels and cheap trinkets. There were carnival rides and arcades; my sister literally had to be dragged out of the arcades. Miles and miles of motels and swimming pools, not to mention the beach. Seaside Heights was summer fun in the sun and it was every kid's dream.
As a result of Hurricane Sandy, it's all gone now. All that stands is the ferris wheel, turning slowly of its own accord. I doubt that the boardwalk will ever be rebuilt and if it was, it most likely would never return to its former glory. I will keep the childhood memories forever, of course. It's just sad to think that a place of happiness and joy is utterly destroyed now, washed away by the storm.
ABC News had a story last night about Seaside Heights on the Jersey Shore. I flashed back to when my sister and I used to visit my grandparents every summer and they would take us to the Jersey Shore. I know you're probably thinking of the ridiculous television show, but the real Jersey Shore is nothing like that. Over the past decade, it has been growing increasingly less popular; the rides were growing rusty and the beach was receding further and further. In its heyday, the shore was the vacation place to go. The boardwalk stretched as far as the eye could see, vendors sold cotton candy, beach towels and cheap trinkets. There were carnival rides and arcades; my sister literally had to be dragged out of the arcades. Miles and miles of motels and swimming pools, not to mention the beach. Seaside Heights was summer fun in the sun and it was every kid's dream.
As a result of Hurricane Sandy, it's all gone now. All that stands is the ferris wheel, turning slowly of its own accord. I doubt that the boardwalk will ever be rebuilt and if it was, it most likely would never return to its former glory. I will keep the childhood memories forever, of course. It's just sad to think that a place of happiness and joy is utterly destroyed now, washed away by the storm.
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| Source: ABC News |
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| Source: ABC News
My thoughts go out to the people who were affected by the hurricane and hope everyone is warm, dry, safe, and with loved ones.
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