Hello Everyone: At the picnic the subject came up about where we learned to drive or practice driving. Two people came up with the same place and I was amazed because it was the first time I heard of it. It was actually a pretty safe place to practice, at least they wouldn't kill anyone there. I'll let them chime in on the place and their experience themselves.
As for myself, my Dad would take me over to the E.J. Korvettes (Was that really 8 Jewish Korean Veterans) parking lot on a Sunday morning or evening when there was no one there or to the Orchard Beach Parking lot (but not in the Summer), it was to crowded and I probably would have hit someone. I recall my original trepidation of dealing with the El under Westchester Ave. Never hit those pilars but had some close calls. Oh yes, and then there was the parking the car fiasco, what a hassle. Especially, in the wee hours of the morning and not being in the greatest condition to be cruising the blocks up and down, back and forth for what felt like an eternity. And, then there was nothing beter than finally finding a spot and stepping in a dog turd.
Oh, what a night. Not very nice after a long night out and wanting to hit the hay. Sometimes, the the next morning I'd completely forget
where I parked and would have to walk the streets to find the chariot which by the time I found it I was tempted to put it on fire. And, some of the private home owners resented having folks park in front of their houses, as if they also owned the street. I had a friend from Parckchester, Owen McPike, who parked his car in Stratton Park and when he went to get his car the next morning he couldn't drive because someone, allegedly the homeowner, tarred his front window.
Needless to say, he never parked there again. How about, the alternate side street parking, a few times I got double parked in and had to wait a few hours until the cars moved over to the other side. In the late 60's my Dad became so frustrated with the parking search he rented a, thread through a needle space, in someones driveway for $20 a month. That was so great not to go hunting for parking anymore. Who ever said city folks weren't good hunters. By the way I now live in Hoboken and the parking there is worse. In fact, I just had my car towed yesterday. Somethings never change. Have a great day, looking forward to some interesting posts on this.
Love, Peace and Happiness. Matt Keenan
