My Ramones-inspired pilgrimage to Rockaway Beach in 1986 disappointed on several levels – where were the punk rockers? Where were the rock’n’roll bars? – but, undaunted, a took a stroll around the neighbourhood.
I somehow ended up wandering off the Boardwalk and up Beach 35th St.
I liked the sound of Spray View Avenue, with the name conjuring up images of a strip of 18th century weatherboarded houses, with perhaps a few old sea salts outside getting drunk on rum. This was going to be a photographic treat!
Sadly, all I found was a bleak wasteland extending as far as the eye can see – and according to Google it looks like nothing much has changed in the past quarter of a century:
Related posts:
A trip to Rockaway Beach, 1986
The tragedy of West Pier, Brighton beach, Brighton
Reclaim the beach, London
Brighton Beach and Little Odessa, New York
Beach walking and dune jumping at Oxwich Bay, Gower, south Wales
Free beach party, River Thames
Southbank London – beach huts, boats and ice cream
Coney Beach amusement park, south Wales: 90 years old
I think you’ll like this short film about Rockaway: