Whenever a New Yorker talks about going "out east", they are typically referring to the south fork of Long Island, mostly taken up by the Hamptons. All of the "The End" bumper stickers you see are referring to Montauk, the fishing village on the very tip of the south fork. For whatever reason the south fork always seems to overshadow the north fork, which in my opinion doesn't get nearly enough respect. This past Sunday was a beautiful day for a drive, so once again, I packed up my gear and my dog and hit the road, in search of a few 'northern' jewels.
Intending to drive to the farthest point and work my way back towards home, I headed all the way out to Orient Point, which is the easternmost tip of Long Island's north fork. From the rocky beach you can see Plum Island to the east, Shelter Island to the South, and if you're lucky enough to send a camera a few hundred feet up into the air, Connecticut to the north. Without the pretense or hustle of the south fork, Orient retains the stoic charm of a centuries-old seaside village. In many ways time stood still here, as it did for me as I watched the ferry take off for Connecticut, and numerous small craft pass by. I couldn't help but grab a few shots of shells on the beach, and the pilings lining the ferry dock, standing watch over the transit hub like a row of silent soldiers.
From there I began the trek westward. I passed numerous farms and antique stores, and made a quick stop at Love Lane, the famous one-block long 'downtown' section of Mattituck. Walking the sidewalk here is like being transported back a couple of decades to Main Street, USA. It's a whimsical but truly pleasant feeling passing the quaint storefronts dotted with old lampposts and weeping tree limbs.
And then there was the haunted house. Not really, but it sure could have been: an old, creepy, boarded up beauty just sitting there in the middle of a perfectly green lawn, in front of a large farm field. I made a note to try to find out more about this house upon my return home. Who knows what sort of history this place has.
Resisting the urge to visit every farmstand along the way is a tall order, especially with the harvest's bounty in great supply. Roasted corn, fresh produce, apple cider donuts, and all manner of local delicacies taunt the senses. In particular, I was in search of an elusive shot: that of rolled hay bales awaiting transport in the field. Unfortunately it was a bit too late in the season for that, but I settled for 2 worthy consolation prizes: tall cornstalks glowing in the twilight sun, and a warm farm landscape punctuated by a late 1940s GMC truck in hot pink. Yes, hot pink.
I stowed my disbelief with my camera as I arrived at Briarmere Farms. For anyone who doesn't know of Briarmere, you must go. Now. In addition to a typical fresh local farmstand, Briarmere is a purveyor of what are hands-down the finest fruit pies in all the land. ALL THE LAND. You can thank me later.
As the golden hour faded through twilight and eventually the beginning of sunset, I am ashamed to say that I had 'run out' of north fork to see. This is not to say that I was at all disappointed with my wanderings of the day, but I found myself heading south towards the beach, as I began to spy deep crimson hues sneaking across the horizon. What had begun as a nondescript twilight was turning into an incredible sunset.
I earnestly arrived in Westhampton Dunes, where I parked in a parking lot on the ocean side of the peninsula. For anyone not familiar, the Dunes run along an extremely thin peninsula separating the southeast shore of Long Island from the Atlantic. The peninsula is just wide enough for 2 houses and a 2-lane road (plus some sand), and spans several miles east-west.
I had very little time to prepare, but boy was that sunset a treat - one of the best I have ever seen. The colors were nothing short of breathtaking, with picturesque clouds snaking across pure skies, all over calm seas. The aforementioned deep crimson was soon the prevailing color of the sky, and as the luminescence faded, I packed everything back into the car and headed home.
So if you're ever thinking about taking a jaunt out east, consider heading north instead of south. I assure you you wont be disappointed.
