New York

Summer Time Blues in Long Island

For Labor day Weekend  we decided to explore a bit of Nassau County and Suffolk County located in Long Island on our roadmap. Both counties are known for their many parks, beaches, wineries, and other outdoor activities ranging from camping, motorized and non-motorized watersports.

 Nassau County

Our first excursion was the yacht social. Unfortunately I was unable to locate a company renting a small yacht for just 10 people or less and especially not the Sea Ray 24’ in New Jersey. I expended my search to New York and luckily I came across “Long Island Boat Rentals” located in Port Washington just 2 hours ride from our location. They offered both lessons and had captain readily available for 3 to 7 hours throughout the day.

 If you are a fast learner Long Island Boat as well as other schools offers boating lessons. In New York State, all you need to ride without a captain is experience and I would suggest knowing how to read the navigation system. After 3 hours on the yacht we had no idea which way to head back to shore. Also most captains in both New York and New Jersey with a commercial license can only ride with 6 additional passengers; meanwhile privately you can carry up to your boat capacity. The most affordable captain fee that weekend was $50 per hour for a minimum of 3 hours, plus the rental fee of the yacht in addition to fuel charge used.  In the long run lessons would come handy.

 All in all we had an amazing time sun bathing, tubing, eating and dancing on board. We stop by for dinner at Louie’s Grille and Liquor located next door. When we go for dinner, we tend to order several dishes to share among ourselves instead of individual plates. The must try items were: the Spicy Tuna Dip, Lobster Tacos, Bake Stuffed Clams, and Parmesan Truffle Fries. The Calamari was average just the typical frozen type and despite the name Heavenly Rolls there was nothing heavenly about it and it surely was not fresh. Oh yeah we only had appetizers, LOL… and the bar drinks are superb.

 South Fork

I must say if you are into extreme adventures Hamptons is not be the place for you and it is certainly not for solo escapade. The towns in South Fork are very conservative; known for fresh seafood shack, beaches, museums, spas, designer boutiques and wineries which make the perfect couples gateway.

 We drove from the city to Long House Reserve for about 3 hours and half. The property is 16 acres of exquisitely preserved gardens and sculptures surrounding the shrine of Jack Lenor Larson. Access to the inside of the home is prohibited because he still resides there. The admission fee is $15; best to call in advance for the free tour schedule and opening hours.  When we got there we had to wait outside for an hour since they did not open until 2pm and the tour wasn’t until 3pm.

 Before heading to the house we drove 30 minutes toward the Montauk Point Lighthouse. We stopped at Surf Lodge for bites and a few drinks. Their lobster rolls are delicious. Unfortunately they only have parking for hotels guests. We had to part at the rail station. Reservation is required during the Holiday Weekends as it gets crowded fast. The place is very pretentious and people are quite standoffish. I was hoping that the employees would have more etiquette and offer better service but was quite the contrary, they don’t smile, refuse to make eye contact and carelessly respond to questions. I hate playing the race card but they didn’t like us there. As if they wish they’d ask our race when making the reservation. The experience was not very pleasant because of the employees. If you plan on going please do not go alone and bring people that are only open-minded to deal with their service not just anyone would put up with it. We eventually drove back to our home for the weekend in Hamptons Bay for some overdue rest, long conversation, dinner and to follow wine in our Jacuzzi in the evening.

The rest of the weekend was followed by museums visits, winery tour and tasting, spa treatment, meals at local seafood, trotting around the neighborhood, window shopping and last but not least day at the beach (Ponquogue Beach our first stop and if you forgot your cooler make a stop at the only restaurant Oakland across the road. Meschutt Beach our second stop offered watersports rental, live music, tiki bar & restaurant on the beach with shades; the later had a more relaxing and welcoming atmosphere). Both beach offers free and paid parking. If you are a seafood lover indulge at the fish market for fresh seafood. We enjoyed preparing about 4 dozens of big clams for just $12 and lobsters and fish.

The traffic during Labor Day weekend was by far my least favorite experience. Hampton’s was not the typical beach town as stated before it is very conservative, calm and I would even dare to say, it is more suited for couples. Mostly everyone we met we couples. So, if you don’t mind enjoying yourself with your friends/girlfriends you will be just fine. Until Next  time my dear readers….