Monday, July 8, 2013

Bowling alley


Bowling is still a popular sport in this country but nowhere near as popular as it once was. A few years back, most bowling alley parking lots were full of vehicles no matter what the time of day. Bowling leagues flourished for all ages.  Not only did actual humans serve as pinsetters, but you had to compute the scores in your head and write them down on a piece of paper.  Perhaps all the computerized automation has taken some of the fun out of it.

21 comments:

Olivier said...

en effet il n'y a pas foule, mais je suis quand même impressionné par la taille de ce bowling. En France on a rien de comparable, mais c'est un sport moins prisé.
Ça me rappelle le superbe film "The Big Lebowski"

Kate said...

Yes, it used to be good, clean entertainment. Now different venues have taken precedent. The thought of empty bowling alleys almost bowls me over.

Sharon said...

Years ago when I was part of a training team I had to travel to various locations on a regular basis. One of those places was Reno Nevada. I remember on one trip that there was a huge National Bowling Championship going on in Reno and the plane was completely full of bowlers. I was the only person on board who wasn't carrying a bowling ball bag.

Judy said...

It's interesting how bowling alleys look the same where ever you go. Ours are still full all of the time. If the place is open, the parking lot is full.

Anonymous said...

Lots of places to park!

Birdman said...

Not a BIG bowler... like fishin'. What!?

Karl said...

Bowling was also here very popular... 20 years ago...

Halcyon said...

I don't know why bowling has taken such a decline. It is rather fun! And you don't have to be terribly athletic to do it. But I think video games and such are probably more to blame for the lack of new bowlers than the computerization of scores, etc. :)

Small City Scenes said...

I remember 'them good old days'. I haven't been bowling for probably 50 years (or more) but it was automated then---well just barely. the pin setting was but you still had to figure the scores. MB

Small City Scenes said...

No I want the roadster--It's mine it's mine!!!!

How Anna Curtis became Anacortes--big question. I think drink was involved. MB

RedPat said...

I haven't bowled in years but was in a league as a kid and loved it. Our game in Canada is 5-pin - small fast balls and lots of pin-flying action, although the 10-pin game has made inroads here now.

EG CameraGirl said...

The parking lot does look rather empty, doesn't it?

cieldequimper said...

Humans? Really?

Kay said...

I bowled as a teenager. I think dropping the ball on my foot cured me of it.

magiceye said...

Beautiful panoramic composition

Jack said...

I hope you sold your stock in bowling alley companies. They ain't coming back.

Randy said...

Let's BOWL!

Pierre BOYER said...

A bit sad...
Best regards,

Pierre

Pat said...

BTW, before I forget it, I love your new frolicking banner!

That said, it is sad to see this bowling alley empty. I remember going bowling in junior high, but hardly ever since. And as for automation...I am now in Paris where there are no more (for a long time now) little ladies punching tickets in the metro (mind you, they'd be run over with the crowds now), and in many post offices, though I'm pleased at the efficiency, you can buy your own stamps and post a letter without ever speaking to a human. I miss that. I still like interaction.

Andy said...

Bowling alleys are also a rare site in Canada.

Cezar and Léia said...

Looks a nice place! Hey, that parting is huge!
Léia

"Photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth which can make them come back again." — Henri Cartier-Bresson