This past summer we took what has become our annual summer trek to Coney Island with Olivia and our friends Rich & Shannon. Rich & I rode the Cyclone; Shannon & Olivia joined us on the Wonder Wheel; Olivia rode lots of rides at Deno's; we "lunched" at Totonno's and of course we went to Astroland. Astroland's property was bought by a developer, and after it closed this fall, it may never reopen. The developer wants to build something much slicker and sterile than the current version of Coney Island. Although there is still hope for Coney Island, when big business and big real estate comes a-callin, it never looks good.

Tags: Olivia, Coney Island, Rich & Shannon

Yesterday we took our second trip of the season to Coney Island, this time accompanied by Rich and Shannon. Olivia absolutely loves the place, and I realized yesterday that except for Sesame Place near Philadelphia, this is the only amusement park she has been to. How New York of us! Last time, we spent most of the day at Deno's, where the Wonder Wheel is, but yesterday we also went to Astroland for the first time and discovered that it has much better kiddie rides than Denos, not to mention The Cyclone rollercoaster. It wouldn't be a trip to Coney Island for us without stopping at Totanno's Pizza, whose pies are close to Wooster Street, certainly the best in NYC. Here are some pictures and movies from yesterday.

Tags: Olivia, Coney Island, Rich & Shannon