The Long Island Blog

I got up early on the first day of fall to see what the dawn of a new season looks like. It was quite beautiful…

A lone gull at the end of the pier (click pic for full size)

Hmmm. Could this be the same guy from last year’s fall sunrise?

Imagine this: You’re sitting in a bar when suddenly an attractive woman wearing a tiara on her head and banner across her shoulder zips by and disappears into the ladies room.

Everyone stopped, put down their glasses and started asking questions. “Who was that?” “Did that banner really say Miss New York?”

Continue reading about Gail King, Miss New York Senior America

I saw a hummingbird in the garden on Friday and then again on Saturday. Luckily, I had the camera handy and snapped a few pictures before it flew away.

From what I’ve read this is either a juvenile male or female ruby throated hummingbird. Ruby throated hummingbirds are the only kind we see here on Long Island, and at this time of year they are migrating south to Mexico.

Incredibly, to reach their final destination they fly right over the Gulf of Mexico, a trip that takes 18 to 20 hours of non-stop flight. By mid-September (now) there will be very few of these guys left on Long Island, so I must have seen one of the last to leave.

I shot these pictures in a panic (Quick, get the camera!) and was shooting through a window, hence the lack of clarity. Maybe, when it opens again next summer, I’ll visit the Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary and take some better pictures.

Kingston’s reminds me of the some of the rough-hewn local eateries in Montauk Point. There’s nothing fancy here. The utensils and plates are plastic, and the dress code is as easy as it gets.

Check it out soon because unless the weather gets better they’re closing for the season on September 22.

Read my full review of Kingston’s Clam Bar

Sea scallops are versatile, easy to prepare, and always in season.

I’ve added a new page to my website that demystifies this favorite Long Island seafood with everything you need to know about buying, preparing, and cooking them. There’s video too!

Image below: The only way to get sea scallops with the roe is to buy them live and shuck them yourself.

Learn more about Sea Scallops.

I love a good storm, so as soon as the beaches were open I drove down to Robert Moses State Park to see what the surf was doing and if there was any damage to the beach.

I wanted to climb the Fire Island Lighthouse for a bird’s eye view, but unfortunately that part of the beach was still closed. I ended up at field 2.

It was apparent that the surf came all the way up to the dunes. I am not familiar with this part of the beach so I couldn’t really tell how much sand was lost.

Here are some pictures.

Battle on the Bay is one of several events that take place on the Great South Bay each summer. I went yesterday for the speed trials, today the actual races will take place.

Boats are lunched from the pier with a crane.

Precarious, but it works

This is a jet engine powered boat. It sounded like the Bat Mobile as it screamed past at who knows how fast. I spoke to driver for a while and he told me they were running 3700 horsepower today, but the boat can run up to 6000 horsepower with the bigger engines. It has been clocked at speeds as high as 213 mph.

The Miss Geico racing team runs the world’s fastest offshore catamaran

There are plenty of food vendors at events like this, but I opted for a crab cake sandwich at Nancy’s Crab Shack right next door. Nancy’s has good food and I just feel more comfortable eating food from a known establishment rather than a truck.

Great food in a very casual setting. And yes, there really is a Nancy

Just when you thought the town of Greenport couldn’t get any cooler someone goes and starts a brewery.

I had heard about Greenport Harbor Brewing Company but didn’t think it was open yet. I drove by last weekend to see how things were coming and, well, see for yourself:

Right next to the jail behind Sweet Indulgences

The tasting room

In the tasting room you can taste beer, and buy pint glasses, tee shirts, bumper stickers…

First impressions: The beer (3 ales the day I was there) is excellent, and co-founder Richard Vandenburgh (in the doorway above) is an enthusiastic and gracious host. I expect good things to come.

Greenport Harbor Brewing Company
234 Carpenter Street
631-477-6681

The snappers are running and some people will do anything to catch them…

Jake and Kevin of East Islip carry their fishing gear to the dock with a neat  little bike rack that they built themselves. Their custom rack carries 4 poles and a couple of tackle boxes. Good job guys!

Snapper fishing is fun, easy, and the fish taste great. Right now they’re still a little on the small side, but they will be growing by the day.

Snappers are a fish that anyone can catch—even 4 year olds—and are a great way to introduce your kids to fishing. All you need is a pole and some bait.

If you want to try your hand at snapper fishing see my complete guide to snapper fishing on Long Island. Everything you need to know is there including a video that shows you how to catch, clean, and cook them.

Good luck!

Memories… Memories…

I was born in Huntington Station (one block from the intersection of Jericho and 110) in 1953 and lived there until November 1968 when my parents and I moved to St. Petersburg, FL.

Believe it or not, after all these years I still daydream about Long Island. I love to envision places and streets that I remember so well. The last time I was there was 1999 and I was able to visit my old elementary school, West Hills, except it is a district office now.

I can’t describe how I have enjoyed your website!

Thank you!

-Dircy