the wandering chick
...Long Island, New York
wineries and parkway
Yep, wineries and parkways. I think that's how I'll remember my day on Long Island. For as long as I can remember, I've read about the "rich and famous" and their mansion-like homes on the island. So, I wanted to see it for myself. Wanted to drive from one end to the other and see the beaches, the homes and even the countryside, knowing it was more agricultural than many people realize.
In all, I was pretty disappointed. Lots of parkways, and they seem to go on forever. Meaning, the island is much "longer" than one might think. Traffic was pretty bad and as for the beaches, I never found a nice public one, though I'm sure they must exist. Tourism, however, does not seem to be a priority.
Happened upon a very nice village on a canal, Bayshore, with yachts docked right in front of the beautiful homes.
Lots of agriculture, lots of wineries, so it was nice being off the parkways and on the country roads.
The island is accessible, of course, from NYC, but an alternate route, which I did, was from New London, Connecticut, via ferry. Thankfully, I took my car over because had I not, I'd been stuck at the ferry terminal. Or so it seemed.
Perhaps I should have done more research before going.
The New London, Connecticut, skyline from the ferry
This is Plum Island Light on Plum Island, New York. It was built in 1869 and is no longer active. (Special effects were added to this photo.)
At least five lighthouses can be seen from the ferry crossing Long Island Sound. A sixth one was too far out to capture a picture. This one is Orient Point Lighthouse, construction starting in 1898. The riprap protects the foundaton of the light which sits in a particularly treacherous area of the sound called Plum Gut. Many lighthouses built at the same time as this one maintained a similar shape which Mariners fondly called a coffee pot. Later, as cars came into existence, it was called a sparkplug. It sits between the eastern end of Long Island at Orient Point and Plum Island.
At Orient Point
A small harbor called Mattituck Harbor
Mattituck Harbor
The villages of Bay Shore-Brightwaters, a part of the town of Islip
Bay Shore-Brightwaters boats are neatly tied ashore in front of the homes on a wide canal that ends in Gilbert Park and then opens to the Great South Bay. The area sits on the south side of the island.
Gilbert Park
Sunflowers from the many fields grown on Long Island are sold not only in the markets, but also by residents who grow and sale their own crop.
Many wineries with their elaborate tasting rooms or outdoor patio areas draw tourists to the island.
The intricate design on this barn caught my eye. It is owned by Treiber Farms. So does the old truck in the photo to the right.
Southold Beach
A small beach near the Shelter Island ferry landing was covered with these pebbles that reminded me of jelly beans.
Another view of Orient Point Lighthouse
The University of Connecticut at Avery Point is a stunning campus and worth a walk-around. The lighthouse can be seen at the far right.
The New London Ledge lighthouse is known locally to have a ghost of a former keeper named Ernie. At one time, a coast guard official called it a "Rock of slow torture - Ernie's domain...." It was built in 1909 and is located on the Thames River at the mouth of the New London Harbor in Groton, CT
New London Harbor Lighthouse is both the oldest and the tallest lighthouse on Long Island Sound and in Connecticut. It sits on the west end of New London Harbor. It was built in 1801 and stands 90 feet tall.
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