Sixty-Something: Thinking Hamptons Summer When It’s Still Winter

Baby it’s cold outside but warmer weather is just a month or so away. Yes I am thinking of the 2019 Hamptons summer season even though it is still winter everywhere in the USA! Swimming at the East End beaches, barbecues, outdoor parties, open windows at the house and so much more is just around the bend!

Let’s face it whether you are a local, a second home owner, a summer renter or just own a 22′ sailboat docked on 3 Mile Harbor off Gardiner’s Bay (like me) summer in the Hamptons is special. It does get busy and some folks gripe about the traffic, the parking, but people, that’s because God has kissed the East End with the world’s best beaches, sunsets, and fertile farm land and foliage!

While doing research years back for a historical article I came across some correspondences of British officers stationed at the Gardiner home that now houses the LVIS (Ladies Village Improvement Society) in East Hampton. One officer wrote letters home about how “incredibly pleasant the weather is in East Hamptons in the summer!” No kidding – historical note: the last British troops to reluctantly leave the colonies after the American Revolution were stationed in East Hampton leaving a few years after the war. Perhaps it was that nice!

As I write this I can almost feel that summer evening ocean breeze I felt every night when I lived at Ditch Plains, Montauk. Now retired I sail amazing Gardiner’s Bay sunset sails when the weather permits (4-5 days per week!) Are you thinking Hamptons summer even though it’s still winter? I am.

To help add to the pleasantness of thoughts of Hamptons summer let’s talk some summer favorite foods! First up, East End Lobster Rolls! We all have our favorite location. Heck I have five or six for lobster rolls. Or how about out favorite outdoor water view restaurants? Then there are those winery visits and always at least one Stephen Talkhouse visit for music, alcohol and dancing! I also love visiting the farm stands for fresh local strawberries and then having them in my cereal.

Summer in the Hamptons includes driving with the top down or the windows open, wearing sandals, flip-flops, deck shoes or even going barefoot. Putting on those old favorite t-shirts, shorts every day and just love being outdoors to see the sunrise, sunsets, the moon rise or a summer sky of stars. Really I love it all and we all know it is just better in the Hamptons!

Okay, I know everyone just had to deal with an arctic blast and the recent snow but guess what? Memorial Day is just around the corner so excuse me while I continue thinking about Hamptons summer while it’s still winter.