Hobe Sound Beach, Jupiter Island

Central Park, NYC

Central Park in Autumn

I do miss my visits to Central Park and New York City.

About once a month or every other month, my husband and I would make the trek into "the city"

- as Long Islanders called it. 

Either we would drive on a weekend, or take the Long Island Railroad.

We'd see a play, often Roundabout regulars, or we'd meet some photography buddies to spend the day taking pictures.

I've always felt very fortunate to be able to do that, and never took it for granted, but my roots began long before my Long Island days. 

Growing up in Brooklyn, my friends and I would take the elevated train into the city.

Even as a young teenager, and then young adult, we would hop on the train, which came just about every five mintues, and within 20 minutes, we were in the city!

How fortunate is that?

That part of Brooklyn, the Bushwick section, went into decline in the 1970s through the early 2000s. 

In the last 15 years or so, the neighborhood has been rebuilding. 

It's proximity to NYC has made it a very desireable area now. Apartment buildings that couldn't be given away, are now bringing in high prices and the rents are exorbitant.

Where else can you live in New York and be in the city in minutes?

Yes, I was fortunate indeed!

Now that I'm a Florida resident, I hope I can still visit my New York City.

I love my lifestyle here in Florida, but miss the NYC autumn.

I'm getting older and wonder how many times I will make the "trek" back there since now it will involve plane rides, over-night hotel visits, and a huge expense. 

In the meantime, like everything else we lose in our lifetime, I have my memories to make me smile!

Autumn on Fire Island

Fire Island is beautiful in the fall. 

The colors do change and walking on the trails in cooler weather is ideal! 

Check the ferry schedule and visit our beautiful Fire Island!

Florida Sunshine

Fall has arrived, but it's still summer weather in Florida.

Hot, humid, with a beautiful blue sky and white fluffy clouds.

It's not Long Island, but I love the warmer weather!

Watch Hill, Fire Island

The Watch Hill, Fire Island National Seashore. 

Just take the ferry from Patchogue. Free Parking!

If you haven't come here this summer, it's time to fit it in your schedule before the school days arrive.

There are walking trails, the beach, and the marina to explore. 

Spend the day and see what Long Island has to offer right in our own backyard!

Deer and Fox Tracks

Early morning and the prints of both deer and fox is obvious in the sand dunes.

Fire Island

Fire Island and the Deer

Too many deer on Fire Island, they say. I saw family of deer everyday this past month.

They roamed through the towns and dunes. Some people are seen feeding them!

They were covered with ticks!

Don't feed the deer!

Long Island Nature

Found near the marsh lands of Long Island.

More Info on the Red-winged Blackbird here!

Monarch

Summer monarch

Remembrance

Missing My NYC

As I go through older photos, I realize how much I love my New York City.

I was born and raised in Brooklyn, the Bushwick section of Brooklyn actually, and Manhattan was just a few train stops away. The elevated train-ride took me through the Williamsburg section, over the Williamsburg Bridge and then into the tunnel to lower Manhattan.

Seeing recent pictures of the area, I realize how much it has changed!

And... I probably couldn't afford to live there now!

Anyway, a trip into "the city" was a regular event for me and my siblings, and I miss it!
When I got married, I moved to Queens, but still worked in Bushwick.
I actually taught in the school where I grew up and the same school where my parents were students in the early 1900s. It was a very old building!

When I moved to Long Island in 1979, trips into Manhattan became less frequent of course, but living within traveling distance kept it close to my heart.
There was always a reason to jump on the LIRR and head west.
My life has experienced many changes but you know what they say,
"You can take the girl out of Brooklyn, but..."
I will visit family and friends, occasionally, now that I live in Florida, but as I reach my old age, those visits will end, I'm sure.
I'm glad I took the pictures I did to help bring me back to my wonderful memories! 

Watch Hill, Fire Island

Going through some older photos, this is one from 2010. 

Watch Hill on Fire Island with its boardwalk walking trails through the natural vegetation,

this is the native plants and vegetation of a barrier beach.

I miss this part of my Long Island life, but know that I can visit anytime.

That makes me smile!

Surfing Florida Style

This just wouldn't happen in New York. The boat is just too close to these surfers!

Florida's natural state

 

Florida has abundant parklands... and more swamps than I realized!