What, no more Astrotower? We never went to Astroland much, if at all -- our trips to Coney Island were often early-morning visits, traipsing over the pedestrian bridge in the serenity of sunrise, the boardwalk ahead, Astroland to our right. If we hit the amusement parks at all it was after beach-time, usually as things were starting to get crowded on the sidestreets between the boardwalk and Surf Ave. We never stayed very long; maybe we'd hit the bumper cars and shooting gallery. Then we'd head back to the F train to head home -- but not before a stop for taffy and candy-crusted popcorn (seems Don Vito always had a weakness for candy counters).

Of course, Coney Island was a shit-hole even back then (think of those scenes from the movie "The Warriors" -- put aside he ridiculous plot and remind yourself that the scary cityscape was pretty accurate). Now I'm trying to picture a modern water-park in that area. Could be interesting.

On my flight to New York earlier this month my plane crossed the Atlantic coastline just south of Coney Island, then veered around to cross over Brooklyn and Queens to circle for LGA. I got a great view of everything. The parachute jump is still there -- now that's the thing they should re-commission -- clanking up the side of all that salt-eaten steel would be scarier than the Cyclone.