WEIRD (insert your state) Pics

[HoldyourfireAl]

In the spirit of patrickwm's favorite magazine, WEIRD, N.J.---

http://i.cnn.net/cnn/2004/SHOWBIZ/books/01/28/books.weirdnewjersey.ap/cover.weird.nj.ap.jpg

I invite you all to post pics of weird, unusual, or forgotten things from your neck of the woods! I'll start with a "forgotten" leviathan across the bridge from me in Philadelphia, PA....


Did you know that there is an ocean liner bigger than the Titanic docked on the Delaware River, across from the IKEA on Columbus Blvd. in Philadelphia? It's been anchored there since 1996 and it's just rusting away! You can read about this spectacular ship and it's history here...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_United_States

I've been fascinated with the SS United States for about a decade. I noticed it one day when I was making a regular visit to one of my best friends, Christine (who has sinced moved to Las Vegas). I remember that first time, going up Columbus Blvd. towards the Ben Franklin Bridge. This giant, metal hulk just seemed to appear out of nowhere in the middle of the road on the horizon! Upon closer inspection, I realized that the road actually curved and the ship was indeed docked in the Delaware, not on the boulevard!

Anyway, I swore one day that I would do a photo shoot of the ship. This past week, I got my chance. Unfortunately, it was an overcast day. I had hoped to get a brilliant blue sky as a backdrop. Oh well, I'll try again another day! In the meantime, I hope you will all enjoy the pictures I was able to take...

http://holdyourfireal.smugmug.com/SCATTERED%20REMNANTS:%20Weird%20Unusual%20or%20For gotten

[HoldyourfireAl]

http://holdyourfireal.smugmug.com/photos/390063293_jKGk2-XL.jpg

http://holdyourfireal.smugmug.com/photos/390066559_K9JiY-XL.jpg

http://holdyourfireal.smugmug.com/photos/390069044_vYAzr-XL.jpg

[patrickwm68]

Cool pics Al. I heard it was hard to get near it.

[HoldyourfireAl]

Cool pics Al. I heard it was hard to get near it.

There's gates all around it. I suppose that's a ramification of September 11th and the fact that vandals were shooting out the port holes (Morons). I'd love to be able to get up close to it. My cousin, Joe, who is seen in one of the pictures knows everything about it. He knew I wanted to shoot it and asked to come along. He was dying to get past the gate!



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[patrickwm68]

I just got done reading the article. It's great to hear that it'll be restored and put back into service. It would have been a shame if it was scrapped.

[IronLantern]

I'd love to get inside that thing. So cool.

[HoldyourfireAl]

I just got done reading the article. It's great to hear that it'll be restored and put back into service. It would have been a shame if it was scrapped.

There's no guarantee that Norweigen Cruise Lines will follow through. Sad.



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[HoldyourfireAl]

One of two known "Mr. Bill" statues in New Jersey. This one is located near the entrance of Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ. The other is on Rt. 73 S in front of a restaurant called "Mr. Bill's." Both look like Alfred E. Neuman from MAD Magazine.

http://holdyourfireal.smugmug.com/photos/433202770_V9sdN-X3.jpg



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[sambofred]

Mr WTF!

Wow - too much free time is not always a good thing I guess.....

[HoldyourfireAl]

Mr WTF!

Wow - too much free time is not always a good thing I guess.....

I just take my camera everywhere. Just in case...


:)



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[HoldyourfireAl]

Bethlehem Steel. They recently filmed Transformers 2 here.

http://holdyourfireal.smugmug.com/photos/404374478_T3vuD-X2.jpg

http://holdyourfireal.smugmug.com/photos/404374756_CV8df-X2.jpg

http://holdyourfireal.smugmug.com/photos/404375051_gtZif-X2.jpg


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[sambofred]

I just take my camera everywhere. Just in case...


:)



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I need to get one of 'dem camera phones so I can start taking pics of cool/not so cool stuff.

The Sunset out my way on Saturday was just breath taking.
Hey, Im a die hard romantic...and I dont just mean Blake and Swift

[Fawlty]

Don't forget the giant Renault wine bottles !!

[CougarTrace]

Someone in a small town here in Texas called Waxahachie was such a Munster fan he built a house like this

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k193/jonests/TX-Munster-Mansion.jpg

[Quicksilver]

Cool thread guys :D Keep the pics comin

[HoldyourfireAl]

Don't forget the giant Renault wine bottles !!

I'll get them in the next few months!

:)


PS: What about the GIANT demon statue from the Tarzan movies in front of someone's house in Lumberton?!?!?!?



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[HoldyourfireAl]

Someone in a small town here in Texas called Waxahachie was such a Munster fan he built a house like this

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k193/jonests/TX-Munster-Mansion.jpg

Wicked!



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[Fawlty]

I'll get them in the next few months!

:)


PS: What about the GIANT demon statue from the Tarzan movies in front of someone's house in Lumberton?!?!?!?



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It's right down the street from my work. It used to face the road,but the neighbors complained :) ,so he moved it facing the side of the house.You can still see it.

The eyes always glow red!!! :scared:

[HoldyourfireAl]

It's right down the street from my work. It used to face the road,but the neighbors complained :) ,so he moved it facing the side of the house.You can still see it.

The eyes always glow red!!! :scared:

I shall get pics of it! I shall!



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[HoldyourfireAl]

http://holdyourfireal.smugmug.com/photos/434386235_eB25T-X2.jpg

A very sad day for fans of the Wildwood, NJ boardwalk & dark ride fans everywhere. The final ride remaining from the famed Hunt's Pier is to be demolished. Here's the press release...

http://www.moreyspiers.com/news_articles.php#60

In Memory of the Golden Nugget
December 10, 2008
Wildwood - Public Farewell Ceremony on Saturday, January 31, at Noon

Wildwood, NJ, December 10, 2008 – The Morey Organization announced plans today for a public ceremony in memory of the classic boardwalk attraction -- The Golden Nugget – in advance of a phased removal of the ride from Hunt’s Pier. The ceremony is slated for Saturday, January 31, at noon.

“This is a sad loss for all those who fondly remember the wonderful Golden Nugget,” noted Dino Fazio, Director of Pier Operations. “It was my first roller coaster ride as a boy, and it’s hard for me to see it go.”

Jack Morey, Executive Vice President of The Morey Organization, said, “We continually wrestle with that tension between nostalgia and innovation. We gave serious thought to how we might restore the Golden Nugget to its former glory, in the context of our long range plans. Our concepts ranged from a complete restoration in its current location to relocating it to another more thriving amusement pier to creating a museum. In the end, the old ride was just not viable given New Jersey State regulations and Industry safety standards. While we are grieved to see it go, we know that the removal of this classic coaster will make way for something greater, worthy of the Golden Nugget’s memory. We invite all those who hold fond memories of the Golden Nugget to join us for a ceremony in memory of this classic amusement ride.”

Will Morey, President and CEO of The Morey Organization, noted, “The Golden Nugget represents the first golden age of the boardwalk, an age pioneered by greats with such family names as Hunt, Barnes, Coombs, Way, and Ramagosa. As the second generation of the Morey Family, my brother and I recognize our responsibility as trustees of this unique culture, and we do not take this decision lightly.”

The Golden Nugget Mine Ride originally opened in July of 1960 on the newly constructed ocean side section of Hunt’s Pier. The Golden Nugget was built three stories high with the top floor giving riders a mine car ride through the “desert.” The classic coaster ride was specially constructed for Hunt’s Pier by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company and was engineered by John Allen. Bill Tracy designed the ride’s theme through Amusement Displays.



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[patrickwm68]

This is too bad. I think this is first ride I went on the first time I ever went to Wildwood. I miss Dracula's Castle the most though.

[HoldyourfireAl]

This is too bad. I think this is first ride I went on the first time I ever went to Wildwood. I miss Dracula's Castle the most though.

The good news is that the Morey's have plans to build a new dark ride, a "Ghost Ship." Hopefully, it'll look as cool as the Skua Pirate Ship that once graced Hunt's Pier!

:)


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