As a youth, I used to go to the Palace Amusement Park, a couple of blocks from the 'boardwalk' in Asbury Park, N.J. and ride the ferris wheel that rose up out of the building.
I believe this is the place that Bruce Springsteen refers to in his song "Born to Run"
[...Beyond the Palace hemi-powered drones scream down the boulevard
The girls comb their hair in the rear-view mirrors
And the boys try to look so hard
The amusement park rises bold and stark
Kids are huddled on the beach in the mist
I wanna die with you out on the streets tonight
In an everlasting kiss]
I also went into the 'FUN HOUSE' and rode through the 'Tunnel of Love' [ Springsteen ] with some cute Italian girls from the nearby beach.
Across the street, toward the beach, was the most amazing carousel where you could ride a wooden horse and try to grab 'the brass ring'
for a free ride.
I loved growing up in N.J. during the 60's...
Just up the boardwalk was Convention Hall where I saw my first rock-n-roll show with Herman's Hermits, The Blues Magoos, and
THE WHO! I have been a Pete Townshend fan ever since!
"I Can See For Miles"!
I took these pictures in 1988 when I visited my friend Howard Steel III and his family. Howie has since told me that all these places are in disrepair and slated for demolition...
Click weirdnj.com to see Asbury Park, N.J. today.
![THE WHO!](http://www.geocities.com/drew_orr/hndbll2.jpg"){kind=link}