Making Flippy Floppy
It's a little odd writing about travel during lock-down.
But it's something for us all to look forward to once this is over, and it's good for the soul to revisit these wonderful places.
Long Island
Long Island in New York State is not known as a Winter vacation destination. But on the plus side the usually packed summer beaches are deserted, traffic in some places is almost non-existent and whilst your choice of restaurants may be reduced, there are still some great places staying open for the locals that you can take advantage of.
We said said goodbye to Manhattan and Brooklyn and headed to JFK airport to pick up a hire car. Long Island is very well connected with it's own dedicated Long Island Railway, but we opted for our own wheels get to the more isolated spots to see some of the island's famous lighthouses.
For the same reason we had to visit Coney Island, we also had to make the pilgrimage to the beach made famous by the Ramones. So our first stop in our hire car, not far from JFK was Rockaway beach and we were greeted by howling, freezing winds.
"But the sun was out and I want some, it's not hard, not far to reach, we can hitch a ride to rock-rock, Rockaway Beach."
Heading east along the South Shore of Long Island our next stop was the lighthouse at Fire Island. Driving over the impressive Robert Moses Causeway to the national park of the same name you'll arrive on Fire Island, and despite only being a narrow slip of an island it is a stunningly beautiful place. The sea says hello to you from both sides and the strip is a delight of long beaches and sand dunes populated by a curious and friendly deer population.
A series of wooden boardwalks cut numerous paths through the dunes and long grasses to a picture perfect lighthouse.
Despite being early January the lighthouse was open and the volunteer team manning the lighthouse museum and shop were wonderful. We got a tour to the lamp room which has incredible views of the national park and the beaches. You can even make out the Manhattan skyline from the top of the lighthouse if you are brave enough to venture outside.
The lighthouse also boasts a great gift shop and a Lens House which proudly displays the original First Order Fresnel Lens that was in the tower from 1858. There is loads to do here, in a stunning location. You have to visit!
Leaving Fire Island and re-joining the main island those lighthouse completists among you may want to check the small faux light at the village of Patchogue. It's a nice light, although local folk waiting for the nearby ferry found us a source of amusement as we took pictures of the lighthouse whilst being buffeted by the high winds!
The base for our few days on Long Island was East Hampton, which was primarily dictated by the time of year. It still had reasonable hotel accommodation available and a few good restaurants open despite being out of season. It's a strange place for normal folk. The main high street is dominated by designer outlets and the incredible mansions and houses appear to be predominantly the holiday homes of New York's billionaire elite. But it's great place to stroll around and imagine a lifestyle beyond comprehension. And the beach is free to everyone and is beautiful.
East Hampton is also a short drive from a place that has been on our wish list for many years.
Montuak lighthouse.
We headed there early on our first morning on Long Island. The unsettled winter weather took a breather and we were rewarded with clear blue skies.
The lighthouse was closed for the season so we couldn't get inside. But there are lots of incredible vantage points along the seafront. The beaches either side of the light are some of the most beautiful places we had ever visited.
There wasn't another soul in sight and we spent the morning listening to the sea washing over the pebbles doing nothing in particular, just taking in the serenity. It was perfect.
It also has great facilitates, which are open even if the lighthouse isn't.
Montauk is a small town which sprawls rather than having any kind of focal point.
Most of the seasonal businesses were closed but we did find a 'sports' shop selling beachwear, lighthouse models and guns. We came away with a good varied haul.
We passed the Lobster Roll restaurant on the way into Montauk and made a point of stopping for a photo on the return journey. After watching five seasons of Showtime's The Affair, based in Montauk and centered around the Lobster Roll it was the least we could do.
We also called into the Montauk Yacht Club to check out the faux lighthouse at Guerny's Spa and Resort complex. It wasn't quite on the same level as our experience back at the main lighthouse.
As you reach the end of Long Island it separates into two distinct forks.
The Hamptons dominate the South fork but there is still plenty to explore away from the wealth of the Long Island jet set. Sag Harbour is a pretty little port town which was on the whole closed for the season although we did stumble across a great little wholefoods cafe supermarket, so we enjoyed an excellent fresh falafel wrap and veggie burger.
A short drive from Sag Harbour is Cedar Point Country Park. A huge area designated for healthy outdoor pursuits such as fishing, hiking, picnicking, camping and pottering around on boats in a wholesome, tranquil setting.
From the main car park head through the camping area and woods and you'll emerge onto the beautiful shoreline of the Peconic River. It's then a lovely, if a little different, thirty minute walk along the shoreline to the old abandoned lighthouse at Cedar Paint.
The lighthouse was run down and in a sorry state of disrepair which made it resemble a bona fide haunted house and we suddenly pictured ourselves in the middle of a horror movie as the couple that get chalked off first. We obviously watch too many of them!
The next day we hit the wine trail on the north fork of Long Island taking in the lighthouse at Horton Point. Despite the darkening skies the lighthouse was lovely little proud thing.
Greenport, famous for it's brewery, is a bright and colourful place and is nicer for not having the rich trappings of the south fork. A few curios shops were open which made for a pleasant place to explore.
And that was our short time on Long Island.
Beautiful and romantic in winter, are we brave enough to return one day at the height of summer?
Maybe.
But it's something for us all to look forward to once this is over, and it's good for the soul to revisit these wonderful places.
Long Island
Long Island in New York State is not known as a Winter vacation destination. But on the plus side the usually packed summer beaches are deserted, traffic in some places is almost non-existent and whilst your choice of restaurants may be reduced, there are still some great places staying open for the locals that you can take advantage of.
We said said goodbye to Manhattan and Brooklyn and headed to JFK airport to pick up a hire car. Long Island is very well connected with it's own dedicated Long Island Railway, but we opted for our own wheels get to the more isolated spots to see some of the island's famous lighthouses.
 |
| Montauk Lighthouse, Long Island, New York |
For the same reason we had to visit Coney Island, we also had to make the pilgrimage to the beach made famous by the Ramones. So our first stop in our hire car, not far from JFK was Rockaway beach and we were greeted by howling, freezing winds.
 |
| Rockaway Beach, New York |
"But the sun was out and I want some, it's not hard, not far to reach, we can hitch a ride to rock-rock, Rockaway Beach."
 |
| Rockaway Beach, New York |
Heading east along the South Shore of Long Island our next stop was the lighthouse at Fire Island. Driving over the impressive Robert Moses Causeway to the national park of the same name you'll arrive on Fire Island, and despite only being a narrow slip of an island it is a stunningly beautiful place. The sea says hello to you from both sides and the strip is a delight of long beaches and sand dunes populated by a curious and friendly deer population.
A series of wooden boardwalks cut numerous paths through the dunes and long grasses to a picture perfect lighthouse.
 |
| Fire Island Lighthouse, New York |
Despite being early January the lighthouse was open and the volunteer team manning the lighthouse museum and shop were wonderful. We got a tour to the lamp room which has incredible views of the national park and the beaches. You can even make out the Manhattan skyline from the top of the lighthouse if you are brave enough to venture outside.
 |
| Fire Island Lighthouse, New York |
The lighthouse also boasts a great gift shop and a Lens House which proudly displays the original First Order Fresnel Lens that was in the tower from 1858. There is loads to do here, in a stunning location. You have to visit!
 |
| View from Fire Island Lighthouse Lamp room, New York |
Leaving Fire Island and re-joining the main island those lighthouse completists among you may want to check the small faux light at the village of Patchogue. It's a nice light, although local folk waiting for the nearby ferry found us a source of amusement as we took pictures of the lighthouse whilst being buffeted by the high winds!
 |
| Faux Lighthouse at Patchogue, Long Island, New York |
The base for our few days on Long Island was East Hampton, which was primarily dictated by the time of year. It still had reasonable hotel accommodation available and a few good restaurants open despite being out of season. It's a strange place for normal folk. The main high street is dominated by designer outlets and the incredible mansions and houses appear to be predominantly the holiday homes of New York's billionaire elite. But it's great place to stroll around and imagine a lifestyle beyond comprehension. And the beach is free to everyone and is beautiful.
East Hampton is also a short drive from a place that has been on our wish list for many years.
Montuak lighthouse.
We headed there early on our first morning on Long Island. The unsettled winter weather took a breather and we were rewarded with clear blue skies.
 |
| Montauk Lighthouse, Long Island, New York |
The lighthouse was closed for the season so we couldn't get inside. But there are lots of incredible vantage points along the seafront. The beaches either side of the light are some of the most beautiful places we had ever visited.
There wasn't another soul in sight and we spent the morning listening to the sea washing over the pebbles doing nothing in particular, just taking in the serenity. It was perfect.
 |
| Montauk Lighthouse, Long Island, New York |
It also has great facilitates, which are open even if the lighthouse isn't.
 |
| Great public facilities, Montauk Lighthouse, Long Island |
Montauk is a small town which sprawls rather than having any kind of focal point.
Most of the seasonal businesses were closed but we did find a 'sports' shop selling beachwear, lighthouse models and guns. We came away with a good varied haul.
We passed the Lobster Roll restaurant on the way into Montauk and made a point of stopping for a photo on the return journey. After watching five seasons of Showtime's The Affair, based in Montauk and centered around the Lobster Roll it was the least we could do.
 |
| The Lobster Roll, closed for the season |
We also called into the Montauk Yacht Club to check out the faux lighthouse at Guerny's Spa and Resort complex. It wasn't quite on the same level as our experience back at the main lighthouse.
 |
| Faux Lighthouse at Guerny's, Long Island |
As you reach the end of Long Island it separates into two distinct forks.
The Hamptons dominate the South fork but there is still plenty to explore away from the wealth of the Long Island jet set. Sag Harbour is a pretty little port town which was on the whole closed for the season although we did stumble across a great little wholefoods cafe supermarket, so we enjoyed an excellent fresh falafel wrap and veggie burger.
A short drive from Sag Harbour is Cedar Point Country Park. A huge area designated for healthy outdoor pursuits such as fishing, hiking, picnicking, camping and pottering around on boats in a wholesome, tranquil setting.
From the main car park head through the camping area and woods and you'll emerge onto the beautiful shoreline of the Peconic River. It's then a lovely, if a little different, thirty minute walk along the shoreline to the old abandoned lighthouse at Cedar Paint.
 |
| Cedar Point Lighthouse, Long Island, New York |
The lighthouse was run down and in a sorry state of disrepair which made it resemble a bona fide haunted house and we suddenly pictured ourselves in the middle of a horror movie as the couple that get chalked off first. We obviously watch too many of them!
The next day we hit the wine trail on the north fork of Long Island taking in the lighthouse at Horton Point. Despite the darkening skies the lighthouse was lovely little proud thing.
 |
| Horton Point Lighthouse, Long Island, New York |
Greenport, famous for it's brewery, is a bright and colourful place and is nicer for not having the rich trappings of the south fork. A few curios shops were open which made for a pleasant place to explore.
 |
| Bright and colourful Greenport |
And that was our short time on Long Island.
Beautiful and romantic in winter, are we brave enough to return one day at the height of summer?
Maybe.
 |
| Beach at East Hampton, Long Island, New York |
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