Wildwood purist!

[Tim W]

I haaaaate to see Wildwood change into Stone Harbor! What the **** are they thinkin"? Anybody as angry as me?

[AnthonyV]

Yeah! Me......!!! If this is what is goping to happen to Wildwood and they are going to trry to make it into another Ocean City or Stone Harbor I'll just go there instead in the future. Or even better just go down to Point Pleasant which is much closer to where I live anyway. The real Wildwood is dying while a WIldwood that few recognize is being born via the wreckers ball.

[FlyinGN]

I am!!!!!!!!!b

[Eunice]

Me too! Me too! I'm all fired up about the demolitions and new psuedo-victorian condos (poorly built, I might add). Stone harbor is quaint and all, but it never did much for me. If I wanted to go that route, I'd go all the way to New England. When I go to the Jersey Shore, I want "Jersey Shore" and all that it has evolved to mean over the past 50 years. In some ways I'm being greedy. I'm refusing to be convinced that these non-descript condos are good for anyone. Sure MANY would strongly disagree with me (obviously there are people who DO want those condos if they are being built and purchased). I'm not sure, however, I have the strength to debate these issues with a pro-demolition person. I might just get emotional, short circuit and run!

[DooWopper]

Yeah it ticks me off too.

I was looking at some of the condos being built with my Uncle and dad last summer. The salt air is going to kill them. Crappy windows, wood thats beyond unnexceptable, and some other stuff. Well, I could give a hoot if they all fall apart. People need to look more carefully at what there 800 grand condo is made of before buying it.

[Al Alven]

You know what the worst part is, guys?

It’s the unfortunate sense that absolutely anything related to the Wildwoods would elicit anything other than warm feelings and great memories, let alone anger.

The Wildwoods have always been my escape.

Even as a kid, when things got rough or when I went through a tough time in my life, my mom would always tell me to think of being in Wildwood. It would work every time.

To this day, in the dead of winter (like, right now), I find my mind drifting off to thoughts of the Boardwalk, the beach, the amusement rides, all of those great Doo Wop motels and just the general feelings of magic and happiness that I get when I even think about the Wildwoods.

It’s such a shame that so much of it is being destroyed (or otherwise altered) these days.

My feeling, though, is that the Wildwoods have always been there for me. Even in my most difficult times of need, visiting the island (either literally or figuratively) has helped pull me through.

It’s now time for me to “give back” to the Wildwoods in some way.

I haven’t figured out exactly what that “some way” will be quite yet, but I truly feel that I am getting there through my participation on this message board.

I hope that everyone else feels the same.

[AnthonyV]

Al,

I understand your way of thinking and tend to agree with it. Until maybe this year I would daydream of summer days down The Shore (we New Jersey redidents always remember to capitalize those two words).

Now I tend to not think of Wildwood as much as I used to simply because it is rapidly evolving into a place that is looking less and less familiar to me due largely to these cheaply built condos and town houses that exist by offering up the buildings of Wildwoods past as sacrifice.

I love the Wildwoods. I always have and always will. Hell I spent almost each and every summer of my life down there! But I'm under no illusion or delusion about what this resort commmunity is doing by the loss of it's history and halmark - meaning their architecture and honky-tonk style! It seems that the bigger and more powerful "forces" are at work turning it's back on the lessons learned from the what's been done in Florida's South Beach section of Miami.

More and more, like what's become of Las Vegas over the last 14 years, it will soon resemble a place that few will ever recall when it was truly was kitschy and great!

[beachboy]

I couldn't agree more with all of the prior postings. By the way, great reading guys!!!!. There is one statement that Anthony said that really struck a cord with me, about not thinking about WW as much because of the changes. I can really relate to that as well. Last year, I was walking in my only stomping grounds around between Stockton and Farragut rds near the beach. For the first time in my life, I felt disconnected to this place. With all the demolitions, open space and condo's going in there, it was difficult to see anything familiar. That walk really hurt and later, I found that thinking of how things used to be hurt as well. I found myself not thinking so much of WW for a while, probably to spare the pain these changes are making, but somehow, like everyone one of you, the desire to think about it and discuss it comes back. I feel a greater connection to the remaining fixtures and god willing, there will always be those.

[Another Al]

I've been readng this board for a while now. I almost can't believe how much people think the way I do about the Wildwoods. My first visit as a kid with my parents and sister was in 1964. The Tally Ho Motel. It was only one floor and 10 rooms back then, with a blue ball out on a lawn. I will never forget when I first walked out to that beach from under the boadrwalk, Fun Pier to the north. I still get chills. After a few years we moved down to the Crest, The Blue Water Motel. Still there too. It was owned by the Mele family and they were great. We had a toy poodle and they allowed to bring her in. This went on for 18 years. We would take her on the beach and throw a blanket over her. Eventually the lifegaurds knew she was there and knew we would never let her run around.
This is what it was all about. Great people, familys, thousands of them, all enjoying the same thing. I travel all over the world now in my job. But Wildwood always sits in my heart.
I leave you with this memory which always stays with me. It''s at the end of a great day on the beach. The sun sinks and nightfall sets in. My sister and I, showered and ready to go to dinner with our parents, walk down to the beachfront. The sand is cool, the ocean lapping, the glow of all the motels lights shining brightly fronting the beach, and the piers twinkling like fingers of jewels to the north. A nighttime of fun to be had, to be followed by a daytime of sun ahead. THAT"S WILDWOOD!

Best to All

Al I

[FlyinGN]

good Lord Al welcome to the ww club.. Its in our hearts.. our souls.. I know exactly what you are talking about because I too had a sister and we did the same thing.. The after beach shower and dressing up for dinner while standing waiting for the rest of the family watching.. hearing.. smelling, all that IS wildwood. Amazing isn't it?? And being almost 44, 1964 or 5 was about my first recolection of this magicial place we all love..

tell us more out you and your family..

[Eunice]

Another Al...your "parting" memory warms my heart ! As a child, nothing was more magical and happy than the sunset, after a long day swimming, with the pinkish lighting Wildwood gets, and the colorful glow of neon everywhere. It really was magical. I wish it would still be there for my kids to enjoy. Thankfully I was able to bring one of my daughters before much of the demolition. And, while there, I took lots of pictures of the Blue Water sign at night. Simple yet such a captivating blue.

[Another Al]

Thank you for your replys. We have two children and reside most of the time in North Jersey. We all love the Wildwoods, but my wife, being from South America really didn't know it. She thinks the beach in the Crest is the most beautiful in the world. I, of course, never fight her on it.

We don't get down very often. We've lived in Sydney and outside Paris for a while. And now I travel often.
I usually take everyone with me in the summer.

We do try to get down with my parents every October. My sister and her family join us as well, and sometimes she and I just go off alone together We go the Port Royal, kids play soccer, dinner at Two Mile Crab House..(love those garlic crabs). It's a blast.

I hope this place can be saved. 25 story hotels and condos are things you see all over the world. Who needs more of it. Let's keep Wildwood special. Let's have a new generation fall in love with it just as we did.
Granted, things change. It's something we have to accept. But let's pray for a good change here. Let's build on Wildwood's history, not destroy it.

No matter what happens though, I can honestly say that in my heart & mind, I will always love the Wildwoods.

Best to All,

Al I

[FlyinGN]

2 mile crab house!!!! garlic crabs!! We get em every year too.. In pact. look ...
dwpl.proboards44.com/index.cgi?board=today&action=display&thread=1107352047

that first pic of looking off the back deck of the 2 mile inn:)

Frank

[FlyinGN]

heres another pic of the two mile inn and my wife..

[Al Alven]

Another Al, your memories (especially that great picture you painted at the end of your first post) have really pulled at my heartstrings.

I try to tell people who don't understand the lore of the Wildwoods this all the time... The island, well, it's so much more than just a physical place.

Don't get me wrong, it's a wonderful physical place. But, more importantly, the resort is defined by an un-dying spirit, a source of wonderful, romantic memories for the child, teenager and adult in all of us.

Regardless of what happens to the Wildwoods physically from this point on, that spirit will live on in our hearts. I am sure of that.

But, it is so important that we have a Wildwood to pass on to future generations. I am so concerned that my son (who just turned one) will not view the resort as the magical oasis that I did as a kid.

Once again, Al I, your memories and vivid verbal brushstrokes of the Wildwoods paint a picture that is, quite frankly, a masterpiece.

It defines, for all of us, our love and passion for this great American institution.