Showing posts with label Hamptons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hamptons. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Hamptons Dispatch #4: Eight Hours of Boating Condensed to Four Minute Video
Locations: Robin's Island, Peconic Bay and Sunset Beach, Shelter Island
Soundtrack: "Lights and Music" -- Cut Copy
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Hamptons Dispatch #3: How To Do Sunset Beach
Step 1: Know When to GoSunday, Sunday, Sunday. Get there pre-lunch to secure prime outdoor seating. Stay for the sunset (as the name indicates). Today's sunset is at 8:17pm!
Step 2: Get There
Beg, borrow or steal a boat from your most nautical neighbor and hold on tight...tailbone fractures are a bitch.
....or....take the Shelter Island Ferries from either Greenport on the North Fork or North Haven on the South Fork). The ferry is less a boat than a big rusty barge, but it gets the job done. Beginning June 1st there's a new party-friendly schedule that departs every 10-15 minutes from 5:40am until 1:45am, giving you ample time to get boozed and bronzed. R0und trip rate is $15 per vehicle including passengers.
Step 2a: Stay Dry
If arriving by boat, there's no dock or jetty to tie to so prepare to strip down and wade thigh-deep to shore. If you are an expert at balancing stuff on your head, you'll be golden. If not, invest in a dry bag (like the one here in red). It will avoid you having to start one of those annoying "I lost all my numbers, help me retrieve them" Facebook groups. Spontaneous spraying of champagne may ruin your stuff anyway, but at least you'll look "cool" while the damage is done.
Step 3: Drink, Eat, and Drink More
While Sunset Beach boasts a full (and slightly pricey) lunch and dinner menu, it's the to-die-for mojitos, especially the raspberry one, and the super snackable bar food that are the big winners. A couple of orders of their thinly-sliced, perfectly seasoned frites and some crispy calamari should do the trick. New this season is the signature, Sunset Beach Rosé; a little dose of St. Tropez-Hamptons fusion from long-time locals and friends André Balazs and Christian Wölffer. I approve.
Step 4: Rent a Euro
If you aren't European or aren't comfortable in Euro-heavy settings perhaps you're better off spending the afternoon browsing neon prints at Lily Pulitzer. But if you've already made landfall on Shelter Island, then there's no turning back. Try scouring the beach for a still-out-from-last-night Parisian wearing cowboy boots and a white ripped t-shirt with permanent marker on it. On Sunday she was extremely eager to ditch the beach and hit the bottle (again). If you're feeling generous you could throw her a few bucks or give her a lift back to her mainland share house in exchange for some euro-companionship.
Step 5: Avoid Getting Stuck
Don't miss your ride outta' there. If your ferry or boat leaves without you there is usually NO VACANCY at the SB inn, which books up months in advance and judging from the way our French cow-girl fared, sleeping on the beach is not a good look. Plus, those bastard no-see-ems are always looking for fresh blood. Ouch!
....or....take the Shelter Island Ferries from either Greenport on the North Fork or North Haven on the South Fork). The ferry is less a boat than a big rusty barge, but it gets the job done. Beginning June 1st there's a new party-friendly schedule that departs every 10-15 minutes from 5:40am until 1:45am, giving you ample time to get boozed and bronzed. R0und trip rate is $15 per vehicle including passengers.
Step 2a: Stay Dry
If arriving by boat, there's no dock or jetty to tie to so prepare to strip down and wade thigh-deep to shore. If you are an expert at balancing stuff on your head, you'll be golden. If not, invest in a dry bag (like the one here in red). It will avoid you having to start one of those annoying "I lost all my numbers, help me retrieve them" Facebook groups. Spontaneous spraying of champagne may ruin your stuff anyway, but at least you'll look "cool" while the damage is done.
Step 3: Drink, Eat, and Drink MoreWhile Sunset Beach boasts a full (and slightly pricey) lunch and dinner menu, it's the to-die-for mojitos, especially the raspberry one, and the super snackable bar food that are the big winners. A couple of orders of their thinly-sliced, perfectly seasoned frites and some crispy calamari should do the trick. New this season is the signature, Sunset Beach Rosé; a little dose of St. Tropez-Hamptons fusion from long-time locals and friends André Balazs and Christian Wölffer. I approve.
Step 4: Rent a Euro
If you aren't European or aren't comfortable in Euro-heavy settings perhaps you're better off spending the afternoon browsing neon prints at Lily Pulitzer. But if you've already made landfall on Shelter Island, then there's no turning back. Try scouring the beach for a still-out-from-last-night Parisian wearing cowboy boots and a white ripped t-shirt with permanent marker on it. On Sunday she was extremely eager to ditch the beach and hit the bottle (again). If you're feeling generous you could throw her a few bucks or give her a lift back to her mainland share house in exchange for some euro-companionship.
Step 5: Avoid Getting Stuck
Don't miss your ride outta' there. If your ferry or boat leaves without you there is usually NO VACANCY at the SB inn, which books up months in advance and judging from the way our French cow-girl fared, sleeping on the beach is not a good look. Plus, those bastard no-see-ems are always looking for fresh blood. Ouch!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Hamptons Dispatch #2: Break the Monotony
Although it's only May, you'll start to realize quite quickly that the same old Hamptons party routine gets a bit mundane (even if it involves large quantities of Rosé). That's why alternative Hampton's activities become essential come mid-June...but the planning should start now:
Au Natural:
There are dozens of beautiful trails and natural parks that protect the Hamptons' wildest creatures from its hordes of weekend warriors. Southampton's Morton Natural Wildlife Refuge is 187 acres of waterfront forest and beach with a large bird population and lovely areas to picnic. It's only 10 minutes from both Sag Harbor and Southampton on Noyac Road (look for sign, as there isn't an address). This curious bird arrived at my Sunday BBQ with a bracelet on it's ankle marked #7079. I think it escaped from Morton's. When I called to report that it had flow the coop I got no answer. Then my sister decided it would taste good on the barbie...there she is trying to trap it.
Montauk has the most per-square-foot natural landscape, and least Manhattan foot traffic, although that stands to change with the Surf Lodge's second season in full swing. But even with the new party scene, nothing beats Montauk's sprawling dunes, super-sandy beaches and THE LIGHTHOUSE! Montauk Point Lighthouse to be exact; located in Montauk State Park at the eastern-most tip of Long Island. I've been visiting the lighthouse since I was a kid and it's a true Hamptons landmark, the oldest lighthouse in New York State, in fact. It's museum is also a great place to read old sea-fairing stories and brush up on your Hamptons history...all good info to impress the locals with.
High Octane Hamptons:
Nothing says hangover cure like 50 seconds of free fall from 10,000 feet. Long Island Skydiving has been at it for 30 years and specializes in tandem jumps. You'll have to get yourself out to Spadaros Airport in East Moriches (Exit 61 off Montauk Highway) but the memories and $90 DVD will last a lifetime. You even get an official certificate to show off on Facebook:
The Other Fork:
Upon your first visit you'll be enchanted by the North Fork's charmed farm country and vineyard. Wine tasting is the most popular pastime, but please, don't rent a white promed-out Hummer limo and wear matching outfits. Vineyard owners are not fans of tire tracks and vomiting party girls.
For more insider tips on the North Fork, read this guide that I wrote for Peter Greenberg.
More alternative Hamptons ideas on the way. Ever considered a Block Island day trip?
Au Natural:
There are dozens of beautiful trails and natural parks that protect the Hamptons' wildest creatures from its hordes of weekend warriors. Southampton's Morton Natural Wildlife Refuge is 187 acres of waterfront forest and beach with a large bird population and lovely areas to picnic. It's only 10 minutes from both Sag Harbor and Southampton on Noyac Road (look for sign, as there isn't an address). This curious bird arrived at my Sunday BBQ with a bracelet on it's ankle marked #7079. I think it escaped from Morton's. When I called to report that it had flow the coop I got no answer. Then my sister decided it would taste good on the barbie...there she is trying to trap it.
Montauk has the most per-square-foot natural landscape, and least Manhattan foot traffic, although that stands to change with the Surf Lodge's second season in full swing. But even with the new party scene, nothing beats Montauk's sprawling dunes, super-sandy beaches and THE LIGHTHOUSE! Montauk Point Lighthouse to be exact; located in Montauk State Park at the eastern-most tip of Long Island. I've been visiting the lighthouse since I was a kid and it's a true Hamptons landmark, the oldest lighthouse in New York State, in fact. It's museum is also a great place to read old sea-fairing stories and brush up on your Hamptons history...all good info to impress the locals with.High Octane Hamptons:
Nothing says hangover cure like 50 seconds of free fall from 10,000 feet. Long Island Skydiving has been at it for 30 years and specializes in tandem jumps. You'll have to get yourself out to Spadaros Airport in East Moriches (Exit 61 off Montauk Highway) but the memories and $90 DVD will last a lifetime. You even get an official certificate to show off on Facebook:
The Other Fork:Upon your first visit you'll be enchanted by the North Fork's charmed farm country and vineyard. Wine tasting is the most popular pastime, but please, don't rent a white promed-out Hummer limo and wear matching outfits. Vineyard owners are not fans of tire tracks and vomiting party girls.
For more insider tips on the North Fork, read this guide that I wrote for Peter Greenberg.
More alternative Hamptons ideas on the way. Ever considered a Block Island day trip?
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Hamptons Dispatch #1: A Photo Essay
Arrived on Saturday at my "summer share" house to meet my roommates, Doris & Joe (a.k.a. Nana and Grampy)
Surveyed the property in its various stages of bloom... 
Immediately joined in competitive lawn sports, earning my first bocce victory of the summer and beating out last season's champion (my brother-in-law) by a landslide 15-7 victory!
Got neighborly with my favorite British imports...Jim, Jan, son Robert and bff Suki
Survived Sunday at Sunset Beach with only minor casualties: missing earring, straw fedora lost at sea and a gash on my neck from a bikini top that was tied too tight. lol
But Sunset Beach had nothing on the sunset at our very own Paradise Peninsula...
A quick boogie at Pink Elephant was squeezed in here somewhere....I think just after these photos were taken... 
Memorial Day Monday was arduous...many long hours in the office
One final cocktail to the start of Summer 2009...
Surveyed the property in its various stages of bloom... 
Immediately joined in competitive lawn sports, earning my first bocce victory of the summer and beating out last season's champion (my brother-in-law) by a landslide 15-7 victory!
Got neighborly with my favorite British imports...Jim, Jan, son Robert and bff Suki
Survived Sunday at Sunset Beach with only minor casualties: missing earring, straw fedora lost at sea and a gash on my neck from a bikini top that was tied too tight. lol
But Sunset Beach had nothing on the sunset at our very own Paradise Peninsula...
A quick boogie at Pink Elephant was squeezed in here somewhere....I think just after these photos were taken... 
Memorial Day Monday was arduous...many long hours in the office
One final cocktail to the start of Summer 2009...
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Sunday in the Hamptons: Hot Soup and Snow Hearts
Those who say the Hamptons are strictly a summer destination are missing out big time. This was the scene on Sunday. Note, the sun was still above the horizon at 5pm! There is a GOD!
After warming up with some French onion soup at Sag Harbor's historic Corner Bar, my family returned to the house to find these curious hearts in the driveway. I seemed to be the only one who recognized them as hearts, rather than swervey tire tracks. I guess I truly am a hopeless romantic. :)
After warming up with some French onion soup at Sag Harbor's historic Corner Bar, my family returned to the house to find these curious hearts in the driveway. I seemed to be the only one who recognized them as hearts, rather than swervey tire tracks. I guess I truly am a hopeless romantic. :)
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