Bay Shore NY
7-08-2025 9:52am

Ecco L'Estate! - A Trip to New England From Long Island's East End

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - A TRIP TO NEW ENGLAND FROM LONG ISLAND'S EAST END

A trip to New England feels like you're far away even though you're close to home if you live on Long Island. The eastern portion of Long Island was initially settled by the English who established communities like Southold, Southampton, and East Hampton. These English settlers came from Connecticut and Massachusetts, and they played a key role in the English takeover of the eastern part of the island. While the western part of Long Island was settled by the Dutch, the east end developed as an English territory.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

  • Early English Settlements: English settlers, primarily from the New England colonies, began arriving on the eastern end of Long Island in the 1630s and 1640s.
  • Southold: The first English settlement on the eastern end, Southold, was established in 1640 by families from the New Haven (Connecticut) Colony, according to the Town of Southold, NY (.gov).
  • Other English Towns: Following Southold, other English towns like Southampton and East Hampton were established, solidifying English presence in the area.
  • Dutch Presence in the West: The western part of Long Island, including what is now Brooklyn and Queens, was initially settled by the Dutch.
  • Tensions and English Takeover: The presence of both Dutch and English settlers on Long Island led to tensions. Ultimately, the English took control of the entire island, including the Dutch settlements in the west.
  • Suffolk County: The eastern part of Long Island, encompassing the English settlements, became Suffolk County.
  • British Colony: Long Island became part of the British Province of New York, which was established in 1664 after the English takeover.

We took a trip to New England for the long Fourth of July weekend. Driving east on Long Island to the Orient Point Ferry, the landscape reminds you of the English countryside as it opens up to acres of vegetation, wineries, and farms. Rustic homes line the streets, and cafes adorn the towns. The flora is abundant, and flowers are everywhere. It is truly magical.

We took an early ferry. It takes a little over an hour to cross the Long Island Sound to New London, Connecticut. This is where our journey began. New England consists of six states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. We spent time in Rhode Island and Connecticut. Questi sono stati bellissimi. These are beautiful states.

We stayed at an historic "haunted" inn called Captain Grant's 1754. I found it on a google search. We wanted to stay in an historic inn, but what we found was much more than that. Proprietors, Carol and Ted, greeted us as if we were family. We had a room on the first floor off the patio that is lined with hydrangea bushes. Our room was small and cozy with a private bath. We settled in and then took a walk out on the large back lawn. There’s an old, family cemetery in the far corner. Its entry has large logs lined along the grass. There are headstones from the 1600's. You could see how time has taken its toll as many of the decayed headstones are halfway into the ground. Coins were left on one of the large stones as you enter this hallowed ground. Leaving coins on a grave, particularly military graves, is a way to honor the deceased and let their family know someone visited. A penny signifies a visit, a nickel indicates shared boot camp, a dime signifies shared service, and a quarter means the visitor was present when the person died. The tradition is a respectful gesture and sometimes the money is used to maintain the cemetery or help with burial costs for indigent veterans. I don't know how long these coins had been there, but some were very old. 

For more information on Captain Grant's 1754, visit www.captaingrants.com.

Our main destination on this trip was Mystic Seaport. The Charles W. Morgan whaling ship is there, and we wanted to see it. Charles W. Morgan is an American whaling ship built in 1841 that was active during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Ships of this type were used to harvest the blubber of whales for whale oil which was commonly used in lamps. Charles W. Morgan has served as a museum ship since the 1940s. She is the world's oldest surviving (non-wrecked) merchant vessel, the only surviving wooden whaling ship from the 19th century American merchant fleet (of an estimated 2,700 built), and second to USS Constitution,  the oldest seaworthy vessel in the world. Charles W. Morgan was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966. It's worth the trip to see this magnificent ship.

We also visited Watch Hill. This is an affluent coastal neighborhood in the town of Westerly, Rhode Island and sits at the most-southwestern point in Rhode Island. It came to prominence in the late 19th and early 20th century as an exclusive summer resort with wealthy families building sprawling Victorian-style "cottages" along the peninsula. Watch Hill is characterized as a community "with a strong sense of privacy and of discreetly used wealth," in contrast with "the overpowering castles of the very rich" in nearby Newport. We spent the day on the beach watching the world go by. There's always something wonderful happening by the water.

 The name Larkin is significant in Watch Hill, Rhode Island due to its association with Daniel Larkin, a former keeper of the historic Watch Hill Lighthouse. He served as the lighthouse keeper before Jared Crandall, who was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal for his role in a daring rescue. Following his retirement as keeper in 1868, Daniel Larkin played a pivotal role in the development of Watch Hill as a resort community by building The Larkin House, which became the largest hotel in the area. This establishment could accommodate up to 400 guests and significantly contributed to the growth and popularity of Watch Hill as a vacation destination in the late 19th century. Dudley Phelps recalled staying at The Larkin House in the late 1860s, describing the atmosphere as "very simple only bathing, sailing, bowling and dancing". The influence of the Larkin name in Watch Hill is also evidenced by the presence of Larkin Square, a shopping plaza in the village. This further solidifies the family's historical connection and lasting impact on the community. As far as I know, there’s no relation. I’ll have to dig deeper. 

We also visited the quaint town of Stonington that juts out into the Long Island Sound on a penninsula in New London County, Connecticut. The town is home to many restored homes and preserves its long nautical history. As you walk along the historic streets, you are immersed in the beauty of these homes and the colored doors that adorn them. We had lunch at the main cafe. This was our last day of our vacation. What an ending.

I highly recommend taking this trip. It's close and affordable. It is filled with beauty, history, and the beach. A triple threat.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, there are always new places to discover that are not far from home. New England is quite enchanting. 

SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK

My pick of the week is New England. If you want to experience a gorgeous part of American history, this is the place to begin.

SKYLARK'S HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

The highlight of the week is riding the Cross Sound Ferry. From Orient Point to New London, this Long Island Sound crossing gives you expansive views of the water, lighthouses, sailboats, and big sky. It's a beautiful ride.

Visit www.longislandferry.com for more information.

SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

What's yours?

SKYLARK'S PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Dear God,

Please embrace the children who perished in the Texas floods into heaven with your loving arms and open heart. Amen.

SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Where will you go this summer? 

Please put your answer in the Comment section under this post. I'd love to hear from you.

SKYLARK'S ITALIAN PHRASE OF THE WEEK

English: Summer is enchanting.

Italian: L'Estate e incantevole.

SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - THAT'S THE WAY OF THE WORLD

<!-- EMBEDDED YOUTUBE URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K84YyCZcpc -->

Lyrics

Hearts afire creates love desire
Take you high and higher to the world you belong
Hearts afire creates love desire
High and higher to your place on the throne

We come together on this special day
Sing our message loud and clear
Looking back, we've touched on sorrowful days (well)
Future, past, they disappear

You will find (you fill find) peace of mind (yeah)
If you look way down in your heart and soul
Don't hesitate 'cause the world seems cold
Stay young at heart
Ah, 'cause you're never, never old at heart

That's the way (that's the way)
Of the world (of the world)
Plant your flower (gonna plant your flower)
And you grow a pearl
Child is born with a heart of gold
Way of the world (gonna plant your flower)
Makes his heart so cold

Hearts afire creates love desire
Take you high and higher to the world you belong
Hearts afire, love desire
High and higher
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Hearts afire, love desire
Ah, higher

We've come together on this special day
Sung our message loud and clear
Looking back, we've touched on sorrowful days
While future disappear

You will find (you fill find) peace of mind (eh, eh)
If you look way down in your heart and soul
Ah, don't hesitate
'Cause the world seems cold
Stay young at heart
'Cause ('cause you're never, never, never)
You're never, never, never

That's the way of the world
Plant your flowers and you'll grow a pearl
Child is born (child is born)
With a heart of gold (listen now, with a heart of gold)
Way of the world (way of the world)
Makes his heart so cold (makes his heart so cold)

That love, that love
That love, that love
That love, that love (ooh, yeah)

Never, ah
Well

Ooh, that love, that love, that love, that love
Don't you hear me, now?
Don't you hear me, now?
Lordy, won't you hear me now?
Lordy, won't you hear me now?Hearts afire (hearts afire)
Love desire (love desire)
High and higher
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Hearts afire

ABOUT MY BRAND, SKYLARK LIVE

My brand, Skylark Live, began when I turned 60 and noticed a profound shift. 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 mature aging through knowledge and self-awareness. Andiamo! Let's go!

Weekly Newsletter - My weekly newsletter, 60 and Beyond with Skylark, 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 new topic. My vlog is live on my YouTube channel, Skylark Live, and you can view it at any time. Just click the link to subscribe: (736) Skylark Live - YouTube

HOW TO SUPPORT ME

Patreon - This is where you can financially support my brand. It enables me to write my newsletters and create my vlogs to share with you. Just click the link to contribute: www.patreon.com/SkylarkLive

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Thank you for your love and support. Apprezza la giornata. Cherish the day. Saluti!

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