210

Sudz car wash, Beacon, NY

It's been hot again in New York, though not unbearably so. One of the few chores I remember enjoying on such summer days was washing the family car. I would actually volunteer for the task, hinting to my parents that the car might look a bit dusty or dotted with bird excrement. I didn't even mind waxing the car afterwards, and took some pride in the gleam of a newly washed and waxed car. I'm sure the repeated viewings of The Karate Kid didn't hurt.

This particular car wash exists in Beacon, New York. I came across it on my birthday. After spending the afternoon at the Dia:Beacon, we wandered through town to see what we could see.

There's something about this car wash and image that makes me think of an earlier time. I'm not sure if it's the shape of the sign or the lettering upon it (or if perhaps it's the way in which the foreground figure walks that makes it seem she has bell bottoms on), but I almost feel like the photo could have been taken decades earlier.

Comments (4)

"My dad, he sweats the same job from mornin' to morn / Me, I walk home on the same dirty streets where I was born / Up the block I can hear my little sister in the front seat blowin' that horn" (Bruce Springsteen)
What a great picture & beautiful story, Eugene. Glad I stopped by to discover some great pictures. It's so beautiful round here. All the best & safe travels, Fritsch.

Posted by Fritsch on 13 Aug 2009, 11.47 AM

been to the DIA BEacon once ... pretty cool place! excellent photo by the way ...

Posted by crash on 13 Aug 2009, 8.32 PM

fritsch: is that a song from Nebraska? that might be one of my favorite bruce springsteen albums. and thank you for your kind words.

crash: thanks! i love the DIA:Beacon. one place i'd love to visit more in that area is storm king, but it's not as convenient without a car.

Posted by eugene on 14 Aug 2009, 1.06 AM

i love this pic...

Leave a comment

Posted 12 Aug 2009   |   Photography + design © Eugene Kuo // 226.