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Post by Warren Davies on Oct 13, 2003 12:30:29 GMT -5
SUB-CATEGORY: "Oh, how the world has changed"!! How many of you remember waiting on the Wantagh State Parkway on-ramp at Merrick Rd. hitching a ride to Jones Beach as kids? It was great living in an era where you didn't have to worry about being picked up by some maniac.
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Post by fellow hitchhiker on Oct 13, 2003 12:34:32 GMT -5
You rolled up a towel just as tight as you could get it, with all your earthly belongings stuffed inside. The trick was to get a ride home.
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Post by stranded on Oct 13, 2003 12:53:21 GMT -5
the "trick' was not getting dumped off at field 9 and having to walk back to the pool.
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Post by kmarino76 on Oct 13, 2003 13:41:53 GMT -5
Field 9!!! People think I'm nuts when I refer to "Field 9" -- which used to be just east of Field 6.... Its no longer there and everyone thinks I imagined it! It used to be the best field -- small parking lot and walk right onto the beach!
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Post by ANDREW65 on Oct 13, 2003 13:54:35 GMT -5
Once got dropped off at field 1 [or 2] right by the jetty. Nothing but old people and surf fishermen. Your'e right, never gave a second thought about safety. Those were the days!
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Post by Warren111qwert on Oct 18, 2003 13:11:04 GMT -5
MOST VIVID MEMORY: After promising my mother that I would take the bus to the beach [ the bus left from the Wantagh train station ], I walked to the Causway on-ramp at Merrick Road and stuck out my thumb. Ten minutes later our car shows up with Mom and my kid brother inside. I was toast!!! She had already driven to the train station and figured I'd caught an earlier bus. We all ended up going to the beach. But my punishment was that I had to stay with my kid brother all day instead of hanging with my friends.
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Post by Marilyn61 on Oct 18, 2003 13:30:30 GMT -5
Remember those strange ice cream cones wrapped in heavy paper and plopped on top of the cone? I wish I had a dollar for every one I dropped on the sand trying to un roll the ice cream.
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Post by CarmineP on Oct 30, 2003 13:13:20 GMT -5
This is more of a beach memory. When I was little I remember 3 things that really stand out. 1 - Getting splinters from the boardwalk. 2 - Dropping my ice cream in the sand. 3 - Falling asleep in my Dad's arms while walking through the parking lot on the way to the car and, eventually, home.
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Post by TomRosetti1976 on Nov 3, 2003 12:43:38 GMT -5
I used to flip burgers at the beach. I remember my dad dropping me off at Merrick Road and Wantagh parkway on his way to the Wantagh station. I'd hitch to the beach 5 days per week in my Jones each uniform.
I remember a State cop pulling over to talk to me on my way home. I thought he was going to give me a ticket, or something. He told me to walk to the next overpass, away from the other hitches, then he gave me a ride down to Merrick road. Ah, the memories!
I remember Field 9, worked there often. Sorry to hear that it's gone.
Tom
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Post by Colenone on Nov 7, 2003 11:44:42 GMT -5
Got stranded once. Could not get ANYONE to stop and give me a ride. Scoured the beach, pool and parking lots looking for a familiar face. Had no money for the bus. Ended up having to call home from the first aid station and have my mother drive all the way from the Manor to pick me up. Was she ever p_____d!! Always kept emergency bus money hidden away after that.
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Bruce Lance67 Wantagh HS
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Post by Bruce Lance67 Wantagh HS on Nov 7, 2003 14:35:53 GMT -5
We used to hitch at the bus stop right there in Wantagh on Merrick Road. It was the last entranceon the way to the beach, and the first exit on the way home. Perfect! Everyone had to pass by. When I was finally able to drive I picked up all I could fit on the way to the beach AND on the way home. Would not even think of doing the same in these times. We all had a great time back in the day. (YIKES!!) How old did I get?!! Thanks for the memory.
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Angelo Crisci 74 West Islip
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Post by Angelo Crisci 74 West Islip on Nov 18, 2003 18:51:05 GMT -5
Zies..... You're cracking me up with these memories. From 8th grade on I used to hitch all the time to either Jones Beach or Robert Moses. As a matter of fact, the confidence I gained from hitching to the beach got me around to the other places I needed to get to without a ride. The only thing I used to worry about when I would hitch to Robert Moses was getting stuck between the bridges when some fisherman would pick me up. That was a pain being left right after the Captree Bridge, but I always made it to field 2. I remember going to the beach and staying all day, with no money to buy fries or a dog. I'd either find a friend who worked at the food concession stand ( the BEST was if they worked at the cash register ) OR grab a dog or a burger and eat it before I got even close to the register.
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Post by Mark Bialkoski on Nov 25, 2003 10:45:18 GMT -5
Oh, those memories of hitchhiking. I would get on the Wantaugh Parkway from Sunrise Highway. Always ended up catching a ride. One time though I received a ride from the Police. They had a wagon full of us. Took us to the beach office. Made my Dad pick me up. He was cool about it though. Kept doing it till I got my own wheels.
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ellen bentley congema
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Post by ellen bentley congema on Jan 31, 2004 0:17:24 GMT -5
that was so much fun ,, i remember hitchiking and hoping my mom didint pass by and see me then spending like 10 hopurs atthe beach field 4 yupnot a worry in the world
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Ellen Maida WIHS 1975
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Post by Ellen Maida WIHS 1975 on Mar 2, 2005 19:31:32 GMT -5
I have many a fond memory of hitching to the beach along with some of my girlfriends. We never for one minite ever had to worry about being in harm's way. The only thing that did scare me was my mother finding out and grounding me.
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