Summer on Long Island

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - SUMMER ON LONG ISLAND

You don't have to travel far to feel like you're on a summer vacation. Long Island is one of the best places to be in the summertime. If you live here, then you know how great a staycation can be. And if you live somewhere else, there are plenty of places to visit and things to do on this beautiful island by the sea. From Rockaway Beach to Montauk Point, Long Island has some of the most beautiful, pristine beaches in the world. La Spiaggia!

If you know me, you know I love the beach. It's my favorite place to be. You feel so free. Last Saturday, I took myself to Field 2 at Robert Moses. I spent the day alone. Solitude can be an amazing thing. I had a rare "day off" without any errands to run, food shopping to do, or places to go. Just me and the sea. The weather was absolutely perfect. It was hot, but there was a nice, light breeze, and the water was crystal clear. You could see your feet. There was a tide pool and a big sandbar. You could hear children laughing as they played in the sand. Everyone was happy. 

Saturday was the kind of day that reminded me of summers when I was young. There were a lot of families, groups of friends, lovers, and even a drum circle. I went there with the intention of participating in the drum circle that my friends were hosting, but I never found them. I set up my umbrella and chair by the water and spent the rest of the day taking naps, splashing in the water, walking, and sunbathing. I thought I heard drumming in the distance. I finally have a summer tan.

Summer on Long Island has so much to offer. My parents are from Rockaway Beach, so I spent many summers there growing up. The smell of the air is different, and the houses all have an outdoor shower. My parents moved to Bay Shore with four young children in tow. The remaining four of us were born in Bay Shore. I feel like I grew up in two places near the beach. My entire childhood was spent on the sand. I'm pretty sure that's why I love the beach so much still. It was a happy time in my life. I'm happiest at the beach. 

If you're not a beach person, Long Island has plenty of other places to spend your time in the summer. Gardens are plentiful. When I grew up on Long Island, it felt more rural. It always felt beachy. There's a lot more development now, and there are a lot more flowers. 

If gardens are your thing, you must check out some of my favorites that include Old Westbury Gardens, Planting Fields Arboretum, and Bayard Cutting Arboretum. Other places that I love include the John P. Humes Japanese Strolling Garden, the Clark Botanic Garden, Long House Reserve, Landcraft Garden, Waterdrinker Family Farm, HOG Farm, and Cedarmere. Some of these are private residences so you get the feel for a personal garden.

One of my favorite things to do in summer and to drive around and look at gardens in people's yards that are visible from the road. On a recent drive to Brentwood, I discovered an older home from the 1950's that had a garden throughout its front yard. It was filled with wild flowers of every size and color. It was uniquely beautiful. I plan to stop there one day and knock on their door and ask for a tour. These are some of my favorite gardens. You could see it was grown over time with delicate, human hands and a lot of love. I want to meet the person(s) who planted this giardino. 

There's no shortage of things to do on Long Island in the summer. From beaches to gardens, restaurants to parks, Long Island has something for everyone. Take some time to read about this special place that is the remnants of a glacier. It may have been cold at one point, but it's hotter than ever now. For more information about Long Island, visit www.discoverlongisland.com. 

Buon Agosto!

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, life on Long Island is better at the beach.

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SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - ROBERT MOSES STATE PARK

I'm sure I've written about it before, but Robert Moses State Park remains one of the best places to visit in the summer on Long Island.

Robert Moses State Park is an ocean beachfront facility that attracts nearly 3.8 million visitors annually and boasts a shoreline of nearly five miles. As the most western point of Fire Island, the park is conveniently located at the southern end of the Robert Moses Causeway and is easily accessible by car or from the Babylon train station with a bus connection. Visitors are welcome to swim and boogie-board at any of our four lifeguard-staffed fields. Surfing and surf-fishing are popular activities that are enjoyed by many beach-goers as well. Each location is equipped with concessions, beach shops, first aid offices, public restrooms, and private outdoor showers. Scenic picnic areas complete with park grills and tables for any group size are located at Fields 2, 3, and 4. 

An 18-hole Pitch & Putt Golf Course is available at Field 2 for public use from early April through mid-November. Field 2 is also home to an expansive volleyball court area which can accommodate up to 21 games at a time. It sits just east of Democrat Point, a local favorite with surfers and fishermen alike for its 4x4 drive-on access and shorefronts which face both the Atlantic Ocean and the Fire Island Inlet.

Established in 1908 in honor of master builder Robert Moses, Field 3 is the park's oldest recreation area. It is the closest location to the park's landmark Water Tower, which serves as a perfect background to the field's picnic area. Here, visitors can utilize a spacious gazebo to host large gatherings on a first -come, first-serve basis. Patrons may also make use of an underpass tunnel that connects Field 3 to a day-use boat basin which can accommodate up to 80 personal watercrafts. Anglers typically take this walk from Field 3 to fish or crab off of the long piers in front of the facility's Park Office. Open 7 days a week, the Park Office sells an array of permits that allow visitors to make the most of their beach experience, including Empire Passports and Fishing, Surfing, and Star Gazing Permits.

Field 5 is the public's gateway to Fire Island. With a beautiful ¾ mile nature walk that leads directly to the Fire Island Lighthouse, visitors are free to explore nearby towns like Kismet and Saltaire by foot from the eastern parking lot. Perfect for families, Field 5 also offers a large playground area for children and a boardwalk that extends the length of the parking area. And, it has a bar!

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SKYLARK'S PRAYER OF THE WEEK 

Dear God,

Please keep everyone safe who visits the beautiful beaches of Long Island this summer. Amen.

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SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

SKYLARK'S QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK

What are some of your favorite things to do in the summer on Long Island?

Please put your answer in the Reply bubble below next to the Heart. I'd love to hear from you.

SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - SURFER GIRL by THE BEACH BOYS

LYRICS

Little surfer little one
Made my heart come all undone
Do you love me, do you surfer girl
Surfer girl my little surfer girl

I have watched you on the shore
Standing by the ocean's roar
Do you love me do you surfer girl
Surfer girl surfer girl

We could ride the surf together
While our love would grow
In my Woody I would take you everywhere I go
So I say from me to you
I will make your dreams come true
Do you love me do you surfer girl
Surfer girl my little surfer girl
Well
Girl surfer girl my little surfer girl
Well
Girl surfer girl my little surfer girl
Well
Girl surfer girl my little surfer girl

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ABOUT MY BRAND, SKYLARK LIVE

My brand, Skylark Live, was born out of my turning 60 and noticing a profound shift in this age. I wanted to talk about it and share what I was experiencing with the hope of helping other women as well. My brand consists of a weekly newsletter and a monthly vlog designed to motivate and inspire women over 60 to thrive in older age through knowledge and self-awareness. I’m in the process of formulating in-person presentations called The Skylark Sessions. These can be conducted in someone’s home, local library, or senior center.

Weekly Newsletter - My weekly newsletter, Skylark Live Town News, features articles about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, motivation, music, places I've been to, and ideas I want to explore. I represent Bay Shore and towns beyond. There is also a calendar of events. I throw in Italian words, too, because I love the language and all things Italian. Bella Italia! As a paying subscriber, you will receive my newsletter each Wednesday morning in your email. That gives you a head's up. You can also advertise your business or event on my newsletter. Just click this link to subscribe: For updates, subscribe to our free newsletter!

Monthly Vlog - My first Monday-of-the month vlog, 60 and Beyond with Skylark, is a recap of what I've written about in my newsletters throughout the previous month. Then, I introduce a unique topic for the current month's vlog. My vlog is recorded and posted on my YouTube channel as well as on my Patreon account and my social media sites. Just click my YouTube channel link below to subscribe: www.youtube.com/@christineskylark

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Thank you for your love and support. Andiamo! Let's Go!