My Long Island

It's been a long, long time since I've revisited this series and there's a good reason for that. You see, ever since I decided to switch the priorities in my quest to move to New York City from selling my house to finding a job (see here), things have been somewhat stagnant. I'm kind of stuck in neutral.

I haven't changed my mind about the move...It's still kind of early in to be looking for a new job for the fall and besides, the way things have been going lately I'm lucky enough to have a job. So for now I'll just keep waiting and looking, but in the meantime the spring weather has got me thinking about summer and making me glad that I'll still be here on Long Island for it.

My family moved to Long Island from the Bronx when I was almost 8 years old. I think my parents thought that my grandparents and perhaps a cousin or two would follow us out here, but none of them ever did. Even though I was a child, being taken away from my family was a bitter pill to swallow and I hated living here. As soon as I graduated high school I moved back to the Bronx for awhile, but my second stint only lasted about a year.

Since I moved back to Long Island for good at the age of 19, I've learned to love it here. Long Island is a beautiful place and has a lot to offer, especially in the summertime. In honor of the place where I've lived most of my life, I'd like to share some of my favorite things about Long Island:

The Beaches

Being on an island means that you're surrounded by water and invariably you've got beaches all around you. Long Island is unique in its variety of beaches. Along the North Shore of the island is the picturesque Long Island Sound, with views of Connecticut on the horizon. The beaches here are rocky, not sandy, and the entire coast is dotted with scenic bluffs, harbors and inlets.

The South Shore beaches are probably Long Island's most famous attraction. With more than 100 miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island is the summer playground for many near and far. The beautiful white sandy beaches along Fire Island and the Hamptons are the perfect setting for summer fun in the sun.

The Towns

Many historic towns dot the landscape of Long Island. Main Street districts of these towns are charming, especially the ones that sit near the water's edge. Places like Pt. Jefferson, Greenport, Huntington Village, Sayville and Babylon Village, to name a few, are centers of human activity, with fine dining, entertainment and more. Each of them has its own unique appeal that is something to be experienced.

Wine Country

The North Fork of Long Island is home to more than 30 world-class wineries. The vineyards and wine-making centers make for a fun afternoon of picnicking, all sorts of live entertainment, and of course wine tasting. (For more on Long Island's Wine Country, click here.)

The Scenery

Long Island is a place to enjoy magnificent views. From the picturesque landscapes of the North Shore to spectacular views of the Atlantic in the south and unparalleled beauty on the East End, Long Island is one beautiful place for an afternoon drive. I'm fortunate enough to work on the East End and so I pass by some of the most beautiful land and seascapes you can imagine each and every day.

Of course there's more to Long Island than I've shared here, but these are the things I appreciate most about the place and I'll surely miss them once I'm gone. In the meantime, I'm going to milk this summer for all it's worth right here on good old Long Island.

Sources:

Personal experience

http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Long_Island.aspx

http://www.tripcart.com/usa-regions/Long-Island,Fun-Facts.aspx#Guide||||||Top||||||||