Things seem calmer now.

     Hiya.  Still can't find what they did with the spell check button.  Felt like I just sort of abandoned the place, even though I did give a good 5 part entry.  And the truth is, it isn't quite done.  Oh no.
     Never got to Monday and Tuesday following, or what transpired.  Oh the foreshadowing of tales to come.  I want to put it all in the labels area but I'll leave it here incase someone looks in.  I'll label probably tomorrow.  Trust me, fun stuff.

Car shopping, salesman, games, weekend, Memorial Day.  Oh there will be more.  Until then.

Part - 5 It's the journey not the destination...finale

     Once outside the rain had ceased, the gray skies seemed calm, traffic had also picked up considerably.  As noted I parked near a graveyard, I was the only car.  I now made my way back walking on the thin white line of the shoulder.  Moving cars to my left and parked to my right.  This is the sane time to call home.  Left a message, got to my car, releived to see I had space to pull out, lit a cigar.

     Once headed back in the right direction, on the side of the road of course.  I asked Suri for directions, the battery had drained considerably.  She proceeded to do so and I was off.  It was about 12:45 in the afternoon, the traffic had picked up a good deal.  So there wasn't as much meander and look time as I would have liked.  But I shall go back and explore the East end again.  It is kind of neat.

     I don't remember the smoke I had but it was very enjoyable.  I was full and felt I had a very good meal, no the price didn't hurt anyway.  Oh and I did over tip a bit.  For the quality and sheer fact that a shell steak and salad came to $15.16 why the Hell not.  I left $20.  The standard in the states is 25%, that would come to 3 and change.  So I left 4 and change.  Point is meal was grand, got to eat at a place I wanted to, and I felt the price was worth it.

     Once I got to the town I knew best I pulled into a shopping center.  I turned the directional beacon off, I knew where I was thank you very much.  Since I'd brought 2 cigars I clipped and lit the second.  This was a really good day.

     I wasn't feeling tired or sore like I feared.  My spirits were definitely better now that I was hydrated and had taken off the fleece hoodie.  The only question was what to do with the rest of my Sunday.  I would be reaching the exit for the lounge before the exit for my house.  My body began to let me know what the right answer was.  H-O-M-E!

     It was the feeling of the lower colon saying, I've a need to empty so get somewhere you feel comfortable.  Yeah I had to s%$t.  So off to the house.  Drove sanely, happily smoking. 

     Got home in about 30 min, said a quick hello, necessity, and changed out of damp clothing.  Told my tale.  Inmates listened.  I was told meatballs would be made for dinner.   I went took a nice 2 hour nap.

     Course I got up, yelling in the kitchen.  Ugh.  Long story short I had to help, brother in law stormed off to room with his beer.  Overall I had a real nice adventure.  Sorry to end it like that gang, but this is reality after all. 

     Happy travels.

Part - 4 It's the journey not the destination.

     It was still a bit of an ugly day that was trying not to be.  Getting out of the parking lot was easy, also because of the aisle spot.  I pulled onto a side street.  I was near some railroad tracks, the building had once been a business, long since abandoned.  Called inmates and left a message all was well, race over, headed home, hung up.

     Keeping my wits about me, because, well you never know who's hanging around abandoned buildings, even at 11:30 on a Sunday I reckon.  Clipped my cigar, lit it, rolled back out onto the road I'd just come off of. 

     Driving wise it was a nice early afternoon.  The humidity seemed to have dropped.  Pretty light traffic.  I was enjoying the drive.  I wanted to be going West.  The sign assured me I was on the road I wanted, under that was a sign that said East, under that a road I never heard of.  That didn't surprise me, because I'm really not all that familiar with the area anyway.  The top road sign was the one I wanted, so figured I was set.

     I was enjoying the ride, the traffic the sight seeing, it was really pleasant.  One point I passed a place to eat, sounded good but I was making good time.  Next was a Hotel right by the water on the left.  I was thinking that was strange.  Then the sign hit me as I was thinking it.  I'd been going East all along.  I'd hit the outskirts of Green port.  The last town out here.

     Undaunted once again I turned around.  I'd been driving 30 min the wrong direction.  It was time for help.  I turned once more to Suri.  She found the directions and we were on our way.  There was a little more traffic now, not that bad, just saying there were a few more cars on the road.  Drove back past Hotel, the place for lunch, I was now getting hungry.  I often find a good cigar will increase my hunger.  Then it was time to make a left and go to the end of another road.  So I made the left, passed the same abandoned business, over the railroad tracks, made a right at the end of the road.  Yup.  60 wasted min, but I was at least enjoying myself. 

     Went back through Jamesport, passed the small building Cliffs elbow room.  Seemed to have customers at 12 on a Sunday.  5 miles later I turned around.  Damnit, who the Hell new when I'd get back out this way.  Turned around, parked just past it, near a cemetary and across from a pizza place.

     It is a restaurant on the small side.  Trust me elbow room is a good name for it, tight quarters.  Greeted by an older polite woman.  Told her party of 1 and asked for the bathroom.  Again the bathroom was tight manuvering.  Literally could probably stretch out my 2 arms and touch both walls.  But clean.

     At the table I was presented with the menus.  Was told I could order off the lunch or dinner menu.  There were about 3 other filled tables.  I perused a bit.  I asked for more water, knowing how important hydration is to the body. 

     Seemed a bit pricey for dinner, but that is to be expected for the area.  They offered a marinated shell steak on the lunch menu, was like $13 or such lower than the dinner one.  I went with it.

     They brought out an okay salad.  Lot's of iceberg lettuce, some greens, red cabbage, 2 tomatoes, got excited for a second when I spotted an olive.  Wasn't though.  I wasn't brought up to waste food and tucked right in.  It much of been the humidity and such, because I really seemed to enjoy it.  Finished, plate taken away, water refilled, the steak was brought out.

     Now I suppose it was the lunch menu, I certainly didn't do any reading of the menu to see what came with it.  My steak arrived, ordered medium rare, with french fries on the plate.  As the woman set it in front of me she cautioned me not to salt it without tasting it.  I guess she just wanted to be sure I knew what I was doing.  Not only do I never use salt.  I never season without tasting.

     The steak on its part was delicious.  Perfectly cooked, boneless.  The fries were a nice touch, but to many of them in my opinion.  I munched my way blissfully, watching as tables filled.  Not bad I thought to myself at 12:30 on a Sunday afternoon,

     One more water, asked for the check.  It came to a total of $15.16.  That is a very fair price for the area, for a good quality steak and a decent meal.  I left a nice tip and went out to my car.

I think one more entry and we are done with this tale.
TO BE CONTINUED...

Part 3 - It's the journey not the destination or forced march

     I have no real idea of what I was expecting to be honest.  I mean I knew it wasn't going to be a totally paved path.  Kind of like a high school gym track.  We stood in the grassy, knobby place preparing to start.  The grass had been cut, could tell by the amount of it on my sneakers.

     We started and the going was a tad rough.  The surface far from flat, kind of like walking in sand at the beach.  Actually that is precisly what I'd cal it.  It was tough going but I kept up for a bit with my people.  I'd say after the second turn I was really feeling like I couldn't do this.  Not so much physically, just more the humidity and the way I was dressed.  I was allready considering abandoning the walk all together.  Fortune tossed me a line.

     A man said he'd twisted his ankle and didn't think he could continue.  I thought aha here is my opportunity, I'll offer to walk back with him and just leave.  Naturally he changed his mind and continued.  And most likely finished before me.  I'd lost the origional pack I was with.  I was in the middle of the walkers.  There was a woman with another dog, not sure what it was.  Man it pulled her way past me.

     At some point after another turn, time was really slowing down now, we did come to a paved area.  It was nice, made some of my progress back.  I wasn't trying to beat anyone, just didn't want to come in dead last.  Naturally that ended and it was back to  the grassy rough terrain.  It was really kind of miserable.  Rain kept misting terribly.  I was at the point now where I just couldn't turn back so onward ever onward.

     I did stop a few times just to relax, of course losing my position.  By the halfway mark, we passed a clock, it had been 30 min.  Kept wondering how long this would continue.  Feeling very betrayed by my treadmill.  I'd listen to snippets of conversation from others around me.  One of the annoying this was the fact I had to walk head down so I could see where I was stepping.  I felt a mess.

     A dirt path emerged, some how I got the idea frome someone that we had to do this course 3 times.  This idea bouyed my spirits.  I'd just do 1 single solitary lap and that was to be that.  I was looking forward to it.  But that was not to be the case at all.

     At some point, there was a spot where some of the people were handing out waters.  I grabbed 2.  I was now at the lead of the strollers.  Oddly enough there were a few parents with kiddies in strollers.  Irked me at myself, the fact that they passed me by so easily.

     At some turns there were white vehicles, for the volunteers and staffers.  I kept wondering if it was a saftey measure for people having trouble or who couldn't finish the race.  I eventually gave up the idea of asking to be let out. 

     I cannot tell you in honesty that it was very scenic.  Being cloudy and rainy and muggy.  Also that I spent so much of the walk watching the ground.  There were a few more paved surfaces and dirt roads.  Yes this would be a grueling forced 5k for charity.  I wasn't so much breathing heavily as much as damp and hot.  I'd saftey pinned my number to my hoodie and ripped off a corner just so I could open my hoody for air. 

     We came to an area by the highway.  This would be about the 3/4 mark.  I was looking for the opportunity to just leave the herd and waslk back to my car on the pavement.  No such luck.  This was private land so it was fenced off.  Also there was a house with a dog.  Grueling, if I haven't made myself clear.  Now the cruel part. 

     We had turned to an area where you could see pavement and almost the end of the race.  But no, as the volunteers said it wasn't the path.  The path lead to another field, where like an 'S' pattern you came around to that area, ugh.  I was now in the middle of the strollers.

     After the 'S' there was one more straight away then a right to the finish line.  I truly had enough.  It was no longer raining now, the ground was a lot more even so I was haggardly walking with my head up.  I was among the back pack of the strollers.  And behind the strollers was a white car with people that were glad the race was over, the volunteers.  I forced myself to rally.  I did not want to be last, I deserved that much dignity.  I wasn't, I was however in the last couple of dozen people to finish in over an hour.

     Back to the barn area, there seemed to be food.  They were handing out room temperature bottles of water.  I took one.  I didn't stay for any of the after festivities.  I just wanted out.  Trudged back to my car, saw the people with the first dog.  A few other people, who'd had the forethought to bring fresh clothing.  I got to my car and left.

     I wasn't tired, more like exhilirated and happy that I did it and didn't just quit.  I pulled out and made a right towards home I hoped.  By the way I had made a right into the winery, foreshadowing ooooo.

     Oh no dear reader.  This just ends that installment, there's more to come I assure you.

Part 2 - It's the journey not the destination.

     I had intened, Saturday, the prior day, to do a rough end run to find this place.  Didn't, but I did get myself new wiper blades.  Been putting them off because I was certain to have a new car by now.  And they were bad enough.

     I'd mapped out the route on Google, seemed simple enough.  Less than 45 miles away.  I knew that could be decieving considering the area I was going.  It is on the north fork, not a lot of different ways in and out.  Touristy, little towns, places where 55 mph drops to 30.  Yes a bit like the Montauk trip which is on the other fork.  Directions seemd easy enough.  I left about 8:15.

     Registration for the event was from 8-10.  So I should have plenty of time.  Had my cell phone fully charged.  I set out on this most gloomy day.  Oh I also put 2 cigars in my travel humidor for the ride back.

     I did fine right up until the end of the highway, I followed my directions.  After reviewing the route this morning, I see the folly.  Also before I go on.  Let me say this was not the first route Google Maps offered me, I chose to change it to this one.  Not sure if that had an effect.

     Basically at the end of the highway you have a choice to make.  North East, the way I should have gone, for the North Fork.  Or South East for the South Fork, Hamptons and such.  Not that the route indicated it at all.
 
     The directions said make a right onto road.  Done.  Then there was a road I never saw at all.  I went ver far South out of my way.

     I turned around about and found myself eventually on 25 which I knew to be on the North Shore.  Also a main road to boot.  At this point there were signs clearly maked wine trail.  Oh there are a lot of wineries people.  Of course all closed before 9 on a Sunday morning. 

     I pulled over and consulted my directions.  I was certain I'd written down the name of the vineyard.  Then I recalled it.  Did I mention there were a lot of vineyards.  Did I mention that I did not write down the name at all?  Good.

     It was a very pleasant mornings ride.  Even with the cloudy skies, little rain here and there.  It is a nice drive in the early morning hours.  Thus the title of it's the journey not the destination.  I was making the best of it no matter what.  I passed at least half a dozen wineries, including the one I was aiming for and wasn't the correct one. 

     Undaunted I thought about my options.  Call it a day, head for the Cigar Lounge, no real loss.  Enjoy the ride out East and just do what I want.  Afterall it wasn't like I wanted to call home and ask what the name of the place was that I was going to.  No...not me.  Drove through Jamesport, which was actually South East of where I meant to be going.  Passed a place called Cliffs Elbow Room, said next time I come out this way I want to eat there.

     It was 9:30 when I pulled into a parking lot.  I admit to being almost relieved.  I gave it my all trying to get there.  Therefore I hadn't just quit.  Yes, now I would turn around having given it a triumphant attempt.  Then I rememberd the name of the place, damnations.

     There was a woman who I asked and she said it was to the North West, but couldn't tell me exactly where.  I thanked her and said I needed to move on.  The person in the vehicle right next to her, which I was blocking, was more than ready to leave.  I made the penultimate decision in  the next parking lot, I asked Suri.

     Yes, many of you may remember my cell phone issues, well here I was asking this damned thing.  I asked here where it was.

"It isn't to far from you.  16.9 miles." Suri said

     Shit I thought, to close for me to comfortably just give up.  Okay "directions" I said.  This turned into a debate between my phone and myself.  You see I don't keep the mapping thing on.  Not that I imagine anyone to be tracking some lunatic like myself.  I just don't like the idea.  And damnit I was in a wireless hotspot.  "fine."  I was very uncomfortable with this idea.  Left my phone on the seat so it could give me directions.  I was very uneasy about this.  Both for having maps turned on, well this will eat up my data plan.  Also, becuase, I figured I'd end up at the event.

     Word of warning, I knew of this from conversations about phones a year before getting one.  The direction thing eats up battery power like mad.

     I shut my radio and followed the directions.  I must admit, they were spot on fantastic, and managed to roll in 10 to 10.  Cars were herded to a field, where joy of joys I got an aisle spot.

     Rainy, gloomy, misty, I trudged with a group of others towards the main part of the area, had to be a good half mile from the field.  There were a whole lot of people, several hundred maybe more like 1k.  I've just checked there were 727 participants.
     I went through the barn, they had things set up.  Including day of registration.  Had to walk through where there were team tents.  Got on line for the pre-registered people, got my bag; polyester tee shirt; wrist band; and pen inside.  Well the bag will be good for food shopping.  Hate the tee.  Although the local news channel was there giving out water bottles or tee's.  I got a tee.  Pure cotton, love it.

     There were a good mix of people, younger, my age, and older.  Very loud and very noisy.  Not really a place to be able to talk to people.  Think I may have been the only person there alone.  Oh well.

     Was about 10:20 when we moved to the start of the course. 
"Runners in the front.  Joggers behind them.  Walkers behind them.  Strollers in the back."  said the man in charge.  And we were off.

     I was at the top of the walkers group.  Figured I could keep up with 2 ladies walking a gorgeous English Setter.  Oh this is a dog friendly winery to boot. 

    

Part 1- Set up

     I may just leave the title as part 1 and so on.  This should be a few entries to tell you what's been up.  Oh and of course my weekend.  This will be focusing primarily on me, lucky devils.
 
     Long story short, as I may have mentioned, I signed up for a 5k walk event.  I've been fine for months, by that I mean hitting the gym.  Still weigh a bit to much.  But keeping my word to myself to get out and do things.

     As spring arrives I have less time for the gym.  You see no one else will water the garden or the lawn, I take pride in both of these creatures.  So I have slacked in the last couple of weeks.  Letting doubt settle into my soul.  Occasionally I walk the dog, I've not noticed any significant changes, signs that I'm getting out of shape.  Just the lingering doubt that I would not be able to do the walk.

     I failed to meet my goal of raising $100.  Mostly because I realized if I asked anyone I would have no chance of backing out.  No worries if I had you'd never have these postings.

     The only unfortunate part was that my sister wanted to come cheer me on.  I really downplayed that idea, for the same reason as above.  And I really wanted a way to weasel out.  Plus I had no way of knowing if there was such a thing.  Turned out there wasn't.  And I don't think my brother in law could have pushed her.  We parked in a grass lot to boot.  But we are getting ahead here gang.

     The week was scattered sun.  Rainy and high humidity, I'm not good in humidity.  I glowered at the reports about rain on Sunday, the day of the 5k.  I really wanted out.  I arranged to take off the following Monday, today, and Tuesday, just in case I was a total wreck. 

     In the house it was determined that food shopping would be done on Saturday since I'd be gone on the walk Sunday.  It was real.  This thing was happpening.  I only told my manager at work, he'll ask on Wednesday when I return to work.  I was so not mentally ready for this.

     The trip wasn't far per se.  But it was.  Going out east is difficult enough at times.  Rural roads, 1 way in and 1 way out.  Then you have the north and south fork.  My journey was somewhere on the north fork. 

     Sunday morning broke gray and foreboding.  I did the bakery run.  Had breakfast, even though I was not hungry.  Wanted to have my morning pills out of my system by walk time.  Ever notice it is a tad cooler in houses in the Spring, cooler than outside.  Well I dressed for that.

    I have a great pair of flannel lined jeans, nice and warm.  I accompanied them with my good denim shirt, also nice and warm.  Top it off with a fleece lined hoodie.  Not giving a thought to humidity.  Which as it is now, is in the 90's.  I'm not good in humid conditions, guess I forgot huh?

     Registration time was between 8 and 10.  I should have plenty of time by leaving at 8:30.

...to be continued.  By the way I ssem to have lost the spell check icon, oh well.

Let us finish the Montauk expedition...

     It's 7 in the morn on a Saturday of a very busy weekend.  Can't begin to think how many entries that will take to write.  oh well on with the previous show.

     The wind was whipping,  saw people surfing, it was kind of cool.  I would have stuck around a little, but had those people in the car.  I glared at the stairs leading down.  It was the last 2 sets that were most like the old statue of liberty Im mentioned earlier.

     The woman, not overly disappointed about her chucacabara missing a meal, gave me instructions on how to go back down the first set.  Backwards.  Yes backwards,  I told her I was thinking about just going down them on my buttocks.  She said that works as well.  I opted for backwards.

     And let me credit the keeper of the chucacabara for a moment.  We are not talking some buff 20 or 30 something woman.  I'd say between 45 and 60, that's a lot of stairs.  In fact I didn't really see any young people manning the museum.  Anyway.

     Not going into great detail, but let's just say going up 134 stairs is easier on the legs than going back down.  My legs would be sore for 3 days.  Upon reaching the landing I thanked the door monitor and made my way back to the parking lot.  I did turn to get one last photo of the lighthouse with the flag waving in the wind.  Very nice.  I opted for the handicap ramp back up to the parking lot instead of the stairs.  My thought was no more.  Once back in the car found out that by the time my sister had looked I'd already gone back inside.  Oh well.  My guess she was busy playing a game on her phone.  She's more on the side of one of those people that get aggravated when distracted, okay sorry but they're a feature from here on in.
    
     One quick side note.  She had asked my why the surfers were polishing their boards.  Said I'd check with a friend of mine, not wanting to be bothered.  Then it hit me.  The surfer right next to our car came back and I asked him.  He said they waxed their boards to make them less slippery so they dont' fall off.  Just thought that was a cool thing.

     So out of the parking lot we went, in search of food.  We had passed some sort of burger shack.  We stopped, it was packed.  Brother in law and I went in.  I was thinking of the 3 hour ride back home.  It seemed very greasy, thought about my car mates.  You see my sister does not handle food as well as she used to, she doesn't know it though.  My brother in law?  Well he gets nauseous if he eats and the car is moving.  So I thought pass.

     We found Old Montauk highway which my sister wanted to go down.  She'd known it from times past.  A hilly road by the ocean, lots of places to stay and such.  Unremarkable to me.  It rejoins the main road after a bit.

     Here's where it gets a little silly and we should have brought them lunch.  My brother in law, doesn't eat seafood, at all.  When in Montauk you see a lot of?  Yeah.  So as if we were in another car my sister tells me we have to find food, "he gets a headache when he doesn't eat."  Which by the way is sad but true.

     Well, I find a deli after a couple of towns, newly opened, they get an exciting chicken hero on a roll, unfortunately they put onions on it.  The children complained but ate it anyway.  While I wandered in the scattered sun outside the car, remember he gets ill if he eats and car is moving, I was wishing I'd brought a cigar.

     We got back underway.  There was only 1 more thing I wanted to see, my sister also.  It was a place that had huge sculptures.  I mean these were things you put on estates, not the housing place where I live.  Huge gorgeous and fun.  Took some photos, I loved the pink elephant.  After all those cartoons, and my years of drinking, this was the first one I'd ever experienced.  Didn't get the photo of the dragon my sister wanted.

     And here is where I learned that the IPhone camera is nice, but not for pictures you really want to see the resolution on.  There was this awesome sculpture of horses rearing.  Upon closer examination you realize they are Mermaid-Horses.  Oh it was so cool.  The photo on the phone came out alright.  But you just cannot make out the tails.  It was fun and I want to go back with my camera and get some real photos.

     We made it back home by 4.  I went out for a smoke and returned at 5 ready for dinner.  I'd made it easy on them, well me.  Said we'd do take out for dinner.  This way I wouldn't have to cook my own birthday dinner.  There was some dickering about the restaurant.  I said I'd chosen, it was my birthday.  It was enjoyable.

     The next day was food shopping.  Took my sister along.  We got some stuff to make my birthday cake.  A very simple pudding mix in a prepared graham cracker shell with real whip cream topping.  It was supposed to be fried chicken, but it didn't go off well at all.  I remember at one point standing there as my sister in her wheel chair looked at me.  "What do you want as a side dish"  she shot down my suggestion and said, as if my brother in law wasn't right behind her, he won't eat that.  I gave up at that point and said it was my birthday meal, make what ever the Hell you want, I'm not cooking. 

     Sorry after about a month I don't remember anything about the meal in general.  Did not have fried chicken.  No birthday cake.  Trust me this is nothing new for me.  However I did make the cigar lounge where I was welcomed.  That's something huh?

     

Montauk continues.......

     Instead of commenting that 150 people viewed on the last blog and wonder.  Let us continue.  We are in the light house proper.

     Because of my limited time I ignored most of the museum, not a huge one I think.  Made my way to the door for the stairs where they took my ticket.  The woman also informed me there were 134 stairs leading up.  She also gave me directions.  Yes, directions for using the stairs.

     Walk on the right, keep hold of the rope with your left hand.  When someone comes down step to the right and let them pass.

     Imagine a staircase, spiral, just big enough for 1 person on each side.  There are occasional windows.  There are landings, I forgot to count the steps between.  The windows are cool but don't really invite pictures as you are on stairs.  It is actually a very daunting task.  One must be committed to the climb I suppose. 

     About 2/3 of the way up I heard two people on the descent.  I was rather glad to know there weren't a lot.  Man and a woman.  I literally moved to my right and hugged the spire that made the frame of stairs with the right arm.  I wasn't taking any chances and put my phone in my pocket.

     Really is difficult to tell how far up you've come.  Windows and all.  At 1 point I thought about turning around.  Mercifully telling myself it was because of the 2 in the car.  But I didn't buy it and I kept ascending.

     The final set of stairs, to a part where you get to go out and look around.  Those stairs reminded be of the old statue of liberty stairs.  Pre renovation.  about 1 foot and a half deep and half a foot wide.  Made it up and was greeted by a woman.  Whom I now give lots of credit if she does that climb every day.  I should have asked.

     She told me that because of coast guard regulations I could only go as far up as the yellow line on the next step.  That would put me at about head level to the floor.  And having seen enough horror movies I knew that was a bad idea.  Maybe that's where she kept her pet Chucacabra who just pulled you up and ate you whole.  Nope not buying it.  I opted for the window on this floor.

     You got a nice panoramic view.  I took out the phone called my people in the car.  Took photos.  Basically you are looking straight out at the parking lot but can catch glimpses of sea to the right and left.  Of course by the time my sister had looked I was already back inside.

     One more part to go....tbc

Car trip hooooo! and not the bad kind of ho

     The dreary weather continued.  After an hour we found our way onto the main road to Montauk.  Now many of you may know them from Ina Gardner, a cook on the food network.  Or worse.  From the real housewives shows.

     Southampton is the primary town.  It also contains West and East Hampton.  There is no North Hampton.  It is a place to be in the summer I suppose.  Playground for the wealthy and such.  They lie on a stretch of road, 2 lanes only and get very congested.  You pass through many speed traps.  No you don't see the fancy homes from this route. They are often secluded, and were not our reason for going.  Traffic is a bit of a nightmare.  Best avoided "in season" Memorial day until Labor day.  Forget going there in those times from Friday through Monday.  Nightmarish.  One route in and one route out.

     You do pass thorough the towns, they look neat, no parking usually.  This was a gray and windy day and that still applied.  Lots of little places looking neat, but oh the traffic.  Not really much at all in the way of scenery, just a lot of long driving time.  And our goal was Montauk.  It is at the end of the Island.

     I would eventually rue that we didn't pack lunch for sister and brother in law.  But let's not get ahead of ourselves.  Now another misnomer about the Hampton's.  There are lesser well to do places.

     Aeon's ago, talking well over 20 years now.  When my sister ran with the horse crowd.  They showed and such.  I still remember the tale of this.  They had let an acquaintance of mine, who'd I'd outgrown in high school, pick the hotel.  A cheap little place.  It did scream housing.  Upon arriving the man in boxers and a tee shirt on a chair outside of his room yelled, "new neighbors".  Yup there are welfare hotels and dives out there.  Not that television would ever tell you that.  Anyway.

     The ride had lasted and we reached the town of Montauk.  Picturesque, sort of.  Saw a burger place that I thought might be neat.  But I was on a mission.  20 minutes later we were at the light house.  It is the furthers point east on the Island. 

     It was chilly and windy.  They charged about $4 for parking.  There were people actually surfing.  Some of those pay for binocular stands, not sure what they're called.  In a way I couldn't blame them for not wanting to get out of the car.  I walked up the walk, taking pictures with my cell phone.  It was neat.  I want to say it was another $8 to enter the museum that entitled you to walk up the stairs. 

     The cloud cover was not gray but the wind fierce.  My brother in law opted to stay in the car.  It's hard to take time and enjoy when you know you've people in the car waiting for you to return.  So you can leave.  I didn't even get a chance to explore the gift shop.