shoeless on beach

shoeless on beach, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Fire Island, Atlantic Ocean and running shoeless on the sand.

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My son's girlfriend Ragan, and her niece Sierrah, came with him to visit for Thanksgiving. Neither one of them have ever lived near the ocean. They both grew up in Whitehall, NY.

So first thing we did on Friday was to go over to Fire Island and the Atlantic Ocean sandy beach and run through the sand and waves.

I love when family visits!

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Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Long Island Duck

Long Island Duck, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

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Photo © Alida Thorpe. All rights reserved.

Photo cannot be used without permission and consent.

In 1931, duck farmer Martin Maurer built this 20-ft. high, 30-ft. long, concrete over wooden frame "duck" to use it as a Riverhead (Flanders) shop.

Maurer sold ducks and eggs from this location. When the land was sold for development, Giant Duck preservationists and the Friends for Long Island's Heritage petitioned to save the structure which had become a Long Island attraction.

The owners donated the Big Duck to Suffolk County in 1987. In 1988 it moved from Flanders to Hampton Bays along Route 24 at the entrance of Sears-Bellow County Park.

It has now moved back to Flanders near the original duck farm, on Flanders Road.

The housing development was never built.

The shop still operates -- now as a tourism center for the East end of Long Island, selling souvenirs to tourists and New York City weekend visitors.

Each year, on the first Wednesday in December, the Suffolk County Parks Department sponsors the Annual Holiday Lighting of the Big Duck.

This year, it will happen on December 3rd.

Visitors join in singing carols and once Santa arrives, transported by the Flanders Fire Department, the switch is flipped and the Big Duck lights up for all to see.

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Saltaire and Kismet

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Another aerial photo. This time it's Saltaire, looking west to Kismet, then the Fire Island Lighthouse and Coast Guard station, Robert Moses beaches and park, and eventually the ships traveling into NYC harbor. Some view!

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Boat Builder on Long Island

From the Long Island Maritime Museum...

"The Frank F. Penney Boatshop was originally built as the laundry building for the old Brooklyn Hotel in Center Moriches. When the hotel burned down, Mr. Penney jumped at the chance to rescue this building for use in his boatyard. This fine old building was floated down the Great South Bay from Moriches to its present site in 1978."

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Today it is the center of the boat building restoration projects.

You can visit the maritime museum in West Sayville:

Monday - Saturday, 10am - 4pm

Sunday, 12noon- 4pm

Location:

86 West Avenue 

West Sayville, Long Island, New York 11796

 (631) 854-4974

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Watch Hill Marina, Fire Island

Watch Hill Marina, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

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One of the favorite marinas to dock a boat for a few days, is Watch Hill, just east of Davis Park.

It also has camping sites. (You may need reservations!)

It has many conviences for docking overnight: showers, a picnic area with grills, a dog-run, a restaurant and snack bar, not to mention the Atlantic Ocean beach and extensive walking trails through the marshes. 

Click here for more information.

Just beautiful!

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Fire Island Autumn

Fire Island Autumn, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

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Flying over Fire Island, this is east of Watch Hill, part of the National Seashore.

I had to get away from the New Mexico photos. After all, this blog has "Long Island" as part of its title and many of you want to hear about Long Island.

It is also about a Long Island Woman, my life here and the things I see and photograph, so you will see photos of the places I've been.

Being retired, I am able to travel and see other parts of the world. Unfortunately, many Long Islanders are struggling to pay their bills and are not fortunate enough to retire or travel. I know I'm lucky, but it didn't come easy. I worked hard for many years to get where I am. Luck is important but as I have said before, making the right choices in life is even more important. I studied hard in school (commuting to less expensive State Schools); I stayed away from drugs and I surrounded myself with good, positive people. Hard work does pay off in the long run.

And so, here is another photo of Fire Island, a place I love to visit. It is a real national treasure that many Long Islanders visit throughout the year. It is also a place where European visitors traveling to New York City, take the train or a tour to see our fabulous beaches.

I love to travel but I love Long Island!

Yes, I made the right decision to live on Long Island!

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San Francisco de Asis

San Francisco de Asis, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

San Francisco de Asis, Taos, New Mexico
Most famous, it was painted by Georgia O'Keeffe and photographed by Ansel Adams.

Robert Moses Bridge

Robert Moses Bridge, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Another aerial shot of the Robert Moses Bridge that leads to Fire Island.

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Mary's Bar

Mary's Bar, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

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A local bar in the town of Cerrillos, New Mexico.

 It has the feel of a ghost town with dirt roads and older buildings.

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Pedernal at Abiquiu

Pedernal at Abiquiu, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

Pedernal at Abiquiu, New Mexico
A flat-top rock that the late artist, Georgia O'Keeffe, painted many times.

New Mexico Highway

New Mexico Highway, originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.

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Just a quick stop along the highway to take some photos.

New Mexico is beautiful!

The mountains, the colors, the country-side.....all spectacular!

Once again, this Long Island Woman is on the road! This time it's New Mexico...Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos and all territory in between!

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