Rehoboth Revisited. Again.

Returning for a moment to the happy place of my childhood vacations, we have another group of photos from Rehoboth Beach, DE. Actually, the shot of the WWII-era observation towers is from North Rehoboth, halfway to Cape Henlopen, but close enough. I didn't fully appreciate this 1999 photograph until recently, when I scanned the negative. There are PEOPLE (I know!) walking in the distance. There's a gull in flight near the more distant tower and another one standing in the lower right-hand corner, as well as a lone sandpiper near the very bottom of the frame - all of which I can barely make out in the machine-printed 4x6 that came from the store.

Gulls - 2001. Usually it's only two to a light pole, but today, let's live dangerously and make it three!

I posted the time-lapse shot of Funland's carousel last year, so this time I thought I'd show what it really looks like. It's not the park's original, but it is still a pretty special machine.

The Paratrooper. I remember when they added this ride, and to this day it remains my favorite. The views of Rehoboth and the breeze on one's dangling feet are worth every ticket.

Plus, look how FAST it goes!

Another shot from 2001 that nearly got away. I had been shooting long exposures for over an hour, and had just shot this ride in motion. When it sat idle for just a moment, I realized it was the only ride in the entire park that wasn't moving. In the background, the little fire trucks, boats, carousel, silver spinny things, teacups and helicopters are all a blur of kiddie fun. I also like that the haunted mansion is just visible at the far right of the frame.

Toys! "We await The Claw. Ooooooohh..."

The iconic Dolles sign. I can't imagine the corner of Rehoboth Avenue and the Boardwalk without it.

Going back to 1999, we have a study in wind-swept foliage and late afternoon shadows along the dune fence.

The happy hour sun on one of Rehoboth's weathered old jetties.

Thank you for joining me for my beach therapy! Back soon...

Life's A Beach: Rehoboth Beach, That Is!

Before we start on the trains, I thought we'd hit one more beach. For about the first 30 years of my life, I spent annual vacations in Rehoboth Beach, DE. I spent more time playing than shooting photos, but over the years I managed to come home with a few agreeable shots. I could drone on and on about my affection for this little seaside town, but I'd better just let the pictures do the talking. Above, we have the Distinctive Family Umbrella, at dusk, in 1987.

This late-afternoon shot of the Oak Avenue dune crossing was taken in 1997.

The WWII military observation towers above, which are still standing, are seen here being battered by the high surf churned up by 1999's Floyd, several hundred miles offshore and at this point a weakening tropical storm.

Kites. What can I say? Pretty! September, 2001.

Our beloved Funland's old facade, as seen in 1985.

By 2001, Funland was a mixture of the old rides and games we'd known as children, and the big bad modern attractions required to keep the park in business. This long exposure actually captures some of each.

One ride will never be replaced - the carousel. This may not technically be the park's original, but it is still the centerpiece of the indoor portion of Funland. I chose to go time-lapse on this one to give the ride a bit more drama.

Another time-lapse exposure, also from 2001, shows Rehoboth's Boardwalk, looking north toward the famous Dolle's sign.

Coming Soon: I begin to learn the art of photographing trains...