Sixty-Something: The Powerful Inspiration of the East End

It is amazing what one can accomplish when one is inspired. Inspiration comes in many forms, but when you get it, you know you have it. Its magic propels, launches efforts to new levels. For many years the natural beauty of the east end of Long Island has inspired all sorts of folks to do some great things.

If you were not born on the east end and now either live, vacation home, or habitually visit the east end, chances are you vividly remember your first day experiencing its magic. Obviously, something happened that made you desire to come live, or buy a second home or come back to visit. I remember my first day, it was an early summer day. I think we all remember our first east end experience vividly.

Every year is a new canvas to create yet another chapter in our lives. We never quite know how long our life story will actually be, but we hope it goes on a long time. There is a cost to living on the east end. I am not talking about just the actual physical cost as in inflation making things more costly, but instead about the choice to live life simpler, more basic, perhaps purer.

There is both, no place like home, and no place like the second home. Both give so much to one’s life. One is security, roots with the total comforts of a homestead. The other is the trophy of success, the dream place where you get away and go when you seek something unique. The special place is where you go to enjoy and celebrate your down time.

Second homes come in many different sizes and shapes. There is a variety of second homes that the east end is noted for. There are the mansions on Further Lane. Then there are the old style bayman homes around Lazy Point. Also, the east end has many historic horse farms. Finally, there are the campers, the luxury RV’s, huge yachts, or even a modest sailboat. They all are destinations when there is free time to be enjoyed.

I believe there is the same thrill to flying out to your Hamptons home as there is to driving your recreation vehicle with the family for a week on the ocean in Hither Hills State Park. We all know of and see the huge recreation vehicles with all the bikes, surfboards and beach chairs precariously fastened to the back, tugging along Route 27E. I know I always chuckle just feeling their excitement for the coming week of fun.

Then there is the “Billionaire’s Row” of mega yachts in Sag Harbor. Secretly Johnny Carson spent the summers of his final years aboard his 130’ yacht, “Serengeti” in Sag Harbor. I only know about it because his final wife, Alexis, used to stop in and shop at “A Little Bit of What You Fancy,” in East Hampton Village.

If “… a man’s home is his castle,” then a man’s second home is his place of retreat. The place he goes to get away from it all and recharge the batteries to prepare for new business battles. Or maybe, to simply have quality time with the family and friends. I know I do more pleasure reading on vacations than I do at home. There is that chemistry of being away that makes reading a nice long book so desirable.

If you are fortunate to live on the east end, own a second home there, or visit habitually, you know why you chose this location. Yes, there are some born on the east end, too, and most seem to stay. Anyone who comes out desires to stay. Funny truth is I always thought I would spend my sixty-something years in the mountains. Yet fate propelled me to buy a sailboat and sail the waters of Gardiner’s Bay daily. I now know of east end inspiration from every sailing sunset.