Summer's Last Hurrah

Ah, it is Labor Day weekend, summer's last hurrah. This is when all the Long Island beaches officially close for the summer. Hopefully, the weather holds up for us. It has been rather cool over the last week so I need a spike so I can get in my last dips.

Given the economy, I had expected attendance to be up at area beaches this year but it just did not seem so. Perhaps, I have found paradise in my choices in that I attend few beaches that are overrun. I do sometimes wonder why anyone would fight with summer traffic to travel down the east coast to go to same ocean. But, as I have enjoyed my beaches and looked around, I can see why.

Outside of Montauk, which has some nice beaches and mostly motel-style accommodations, there are really no destination beach towns; no consumer-driven boardwalks, no fancy hotels or resort-like accommodations, few 'in' places to eat and relax, and in general not enough elements to really round out what we would consider a true beach vacation. In fact, most of my favorite beaches are surrounded by beach mansions that are available at rental prices well beyond the middle class budget.

The ocean beaches do provide for some excellent day trips though and since I live in Suffolk County, it can seems like I am on a permanent summer vacation (when the weather cooperates), except I come home at night. Many beach towns in Suffolk County gained fame from being destination beach towns with fancy hotels and the like back in the early part of the 20th century. A little creative thinking and some investor dollars could usher in a new wave of tourism which could be a boost to the local economy. But, seeing as this is Long Island and any development occurs at a snail's pace, I won't hold my breath.

Where's the Beach?

Today my jet-setting little brother came in from Germany, where he is currently residing, for a 10 day visit to the good old USA. Well, he does not think of it as good nor old, comparatively speaking. Though he is here for a wedding, he will, of course, be doing the rounds. My turn will be this weekend. The whole family, well those who are residing in New York, will be descending upon Long Island for a giant beach day.

Unfortunately, after hurricane Bill churned up the Atlantic ocean last weekend, there is not much beach left. It is interesting that my area of the south shore did not get one speck of rain but the higher tide and more powerful waves brought the water in, flooding all of the area beaches and submerging all of the sand. Erosion has been a major problem for Long Island beaches over the last few years and Bill did its number, the retreat of the ocean claimed another 25 yards of sand/beach. This undid millions of dollars of dredging efforts by the Army Corps of Engineers in recent years to combat erosion and shore up the beaches.

Today was the first time I'd been to the beach since Bill. I did a quick jaunt to Smith Point, which I may have mentioned is (was?) on my least favorite beach list, for an afternoon dip. First, I must admit that Smith Point has moved up a notch perhaps even redeeming itself. After all, it is nice and close, is an ocean beach and costs me only $5 to park (with my Suffolk County Green Key pass purchased for $24 and is good for 3 years.) What is not to like? Plenty. Though most of my dislike stems from the fact that I am not a big crowd person so I do not appreciate the smoking, the cursing, the amount of garbage carelessly left, the flagrant disregard for nature and my biggest pet peeve, the people who bring their gear in supermarket plastic bags which they then leave on the beach. OK, I will stop complaining now.

Anyhow, a few weeks ago, I was introduced to another side of the beach where there was a fraction of the people. There are no lifeguards on this side but you still have access to all of the amenities coupled with a quiet, idyllic beach outing which cast Smith Point in a whole new light for me. Proximity is useful and a 20 minute drive is a 20 minute drive so Smith Point is back on my list of destinations and, though sand and water quality are not quite of the ilk of beaches further east, that is OK.

Now that I have completely digressed, the sad part is that the lovely beach recently revealed to me is now a figment of its former self. Now, tropical storm Danny is coming this weekend. We will see.

Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part Four: August has Delivered

All of my lamenting about the weather has been put to rest over the last 10 days. August has delivered. Since our first 90 degree day 10 days ago, the weather has remained warm enough to satisfy my soul. I have been to so many different beaches in the last 10 days, I have no rival.

My husband, whenever he is available to join me and the children on one of our beach excursions, always has the same three questions: "Where are we going? Have we been there before? Why can't you just pick a beach and stick to it? Well, Suffolk County has some of the most beautiful beaches, it is no accident that Suffolk County has two of the top ten beaches in America according to Dr. Beach.

Though Dr. Beach favors ocean beaches which are on the south shore, I must point out that the Long Island sound beaches on the north shore are just as beautiful. The setting reminds me of the Cape with bluffs high above the water overlooking beautiful coves. The water is calm, clear bay water and and the beaches are dazzling white though some complain that they are too rocky, nothing that aqua shoes can't cure though.

When we really feel like swimming we head up north where the Sound feels like one big giant swimming pool and you can pull up your chair to the edge, relax and read while the water gently laps at your feet. Brookhaven Town has a free residents-only beach which just happens to be my favorite north shore beach. The Town has free ocean beaches but they require a boat or a ferry ride across the Great South Bay which can make it cost prohibitive for many, including myself. Thus, I trek further out East to get my ocean fill. It is well worth the trip to run over to Westhampton or Southampton for a glorious day.

My least favorite beaches are those on the Great South Bay which just happens to be the closest to me. In fact, my street dead ends at the bay. The water quality is lacking in my opinion and is loaded with seaweed but the beaches are well utilized because of their proximity. However, it is great for boating and fishing and every advantage is taken in both regards. We go crabbing on the bay and have done quite well this year with our catches; meals have been made. This is a great year for crabbing, the bay is loaded, you feel like you can literally scoop them up as they float by.

See how happy I am now! Like I said, all I need is some sunshine.

Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part Three: A 90 degree Day

I spent the first 90 degree Day of the summer at the beach in Southampton. Oooh Yeah! Actually, we set out to Coopers Beach, the number three beach on Dr. Beach's 2009 Best Beaches in America list. Actually Long Island has two beaches on the list, Main Beach in East Hampton takes the number five slot. I visited Main Beach a few summers ago so I thought I'd broaden my reach by going to Coopers.

I did a little research as I am wont to do and I was prepared to pay $20-$25 to park which is a lot, but reasonable for a day trip I thought. It turns out that the parking fee is $40. Wow, now that is steep, even for a 'killer' beach. I decided that no self-respecting unemployed person should pay $40 to park at the beach. Fortunately, the young lady at the gate who truly could have been a brat but was not suggested another beach down the road that had free parking*.

The 'free' beach had no lifeguards, snack bar, or any amenities whatsoever but that was fine with us, we had plenty of food and everything we needed. It was beautiful, few people, fine, soft sand and clean, clear water with little seaweed. It was fantastic. It is my new favorite beach.

We stopped at Coopers on the way back home to check it out; most beaches stop charging for parking at 5pm. Except for the amenities, the sand and water is basically the same as our 'free' beach so we did well and saved ourselves some bucks to boot.

* I do not want to give out too much detail on the 'free' beach location lest my new island paradise be overrun :)

Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part Two: The Beach

This weekend we were finally delivered three relatively good weather days, including the hottest day so far this summer, 82 degrees. Whoohoo! Well, we went to Cupsogue Beach in Westhampton to remind us why we love summer on Long Island. It really was not as crowded as I expected for a Saturday. Though it was a nice sunny day, it did not have the underlying swelter that compels one to "run" to the beach. After all, we are still below our normal highs.

Here we are well into July and still the dog days of summer are yet to reveal themselves. Even a look at the 10 day forecast shows no hopeful signs; rain for the next 2 days and isolated or scattered thunderstorms for the subsequent 8. Oh well. Hopefully August delivers because we live for the beach.

Jellyfish Invade Robert Moses Beach

Today the water temperature at Robert Moses was perfect; the jellyfish thought so too and showed up in droves. Over the course of this summer, I have visited the ocean beaches from Robert Moses to Montauk, and the appearance of jellyfish has gone from occasional sightings to serious density. Today at Robert Moses, we were barely able to get into the water.

Now I’ve seen and heard about jellyfish in the Peconic Bay and in the Long Island Sound over the years. There was much ado about their earlier arrival and denser presence in bay waters this summer. Global warming was the cause they all chimed but then I see that global warming was blamed 10 years ago too.

I personally had not seen any jellyfish in the ocean until this year so up until now I was under the impression that they were strictly bay phenomena. Of course, I was wrong. It turns out that jellyfish have waxed and waned in the ocean over the years and this just happens to be one of those plentiful years. So, we have to be careful but it is not the end of the world.