Tallest Coaster in the World

Go ahead - quiz me on Cumberland, Attleboro, Lexington, Waltham, Woburn, Hingham, Cohasset, Hull or Quincy, MA. I'm on assignment this week in these historic little neighborhoods surrounding Boston relying solely on my built-in compass to navigate from town to town. Who needs an expensive car GPS when the 'ol noggin works just as well? Today, the journeys take me into "Joy Heartland", the epicenter of childhood memories for a friend who grew up here by the name of Jen Joy. Jen now lives in Saratoga but on the days that her beloved Red Sox play ball that highly distinctive Kennedy or Corleone accent proves she's from here.

Tomorrow morning I'll be waking to the sounds of waves breaking off Nantasket beach here in Hull. Jen informs me that this is where she came as child to ride a rickety wooden rollercoaster (1917) called the "Giant Coaster." Back then the "Giant Coaster" was the tallest in the world, open to all ages, at a venerable old seaside amusement park called Paragon Park. But in 1985, the Paragon closed taking with it everything except the antique carousel (1928). The 66 wooden horses and Wurlitzer organ have stayed in Hull, only a few feet away from it's original footprint, thanks to the local townspeople. It's also undergone serious restoration.

Walking what used to be the boardwalk I can almost smell the lingering memories of fried dough, fried clams, hot dogs and salt water taffy. The place is empty today except for a fisherman in tall boots trolling the gray sand. I wonder if he dreams of bumper-cars and penny arcades?