During the peak season of the warmer months is one of the best times to take photos of the lights, attractions, people and faces along the iconic strip by the ocean, but when that fades away and the crowds return home, the hectic pace is replaced by a slower and quieter version of life. It is then that this place takes on an entirely new façade dotted with vacant windows, silent coaster tracks, colorless signs sitting idle, waiting to glow again, and that spectacular view of a deserted boardwalk that seems to go on forever.....I call the months following Labor Day the time period "after the summer ends", and then by about March that transitions into "before the summer begins".
It's usually late October when they take the cars off the Ferris Wheel
Okay. The grinning pirate may be just a bit creepier in the winter.
"Tickets please, tickets......everyone must have a ticket to ride!"
the Oceanic fishing pier in the fog
".......oh i may not look like much now.....but wait until I get my canopy....and lights! and music! then they all line up for a chance to take a ride......"
Coaster tracks at Trimpers
the Spinning Coaster ride!
...a silent downtown bus stop
Although a few businesses and attractions remain open all year, for the most part everything closes early and is primarily open on weekends only.
"Arcade in the mist"
Signs are something I really love but sometimes in the summer it's just difficult to pull over or take a photo. So this time of the year is perfect for enjoying the neon sights.
Higgins Crab House at 28th Street
"the end of the boardwalk"
Lifesaving Station Museum
I love the signage of OC....
Sunset behind the old Coast Guard station,
now the Ocean City Lifesaving Museum
....how you know spring is on the way...the cars have returned to the Ferris Wheel!
