Sixty-Something: “Water Hamptons!”

Perhaps an underestimated jewel of the east end might be its beautiful bays and all their waterfront beauty. Not everyone gets to go out on the water and enjoy the feeling of wide-open space while on the bays and seeing the unspoiled coasts and beaches.

Southampton Town’s 293.71 sq. miles consists of 139.19 sq. miles of land and an even larger 154.51 sq. miles of water! East Hampton Town has an even larger footprint with a total 386.55 sq. miles. The amazing statistic is that East Hampton Town has almost four times the sq. miles of water area as sq. miles of land. That’s true, with 312.22 sq miles of water area and only 74.33 sq. miles of land. Perhaps the east end should be called the “Water Hamptons!” These statistics do not include the 60 miles of Atlantic Ocean oceanfront!

It is fascinating to remember that Bridgehampton is called “Bridge-”Hampton because way back in 1686 someone named Ezekiel Sanford built a bridge across Sagg Pond as the link between Mecox and Sagaponack. Back then at the forefront of Sagg Pond was a settlement named “Bullhead.” After the construction of the bridge the settlement was renamed Bridgehampton.

A favorite day trip for hikers is to explore Cedar Point Park and walk out to the Cedar Island Lighthouse. Yes, before the hurricane of the 1938, the Cedar Point Lighthouse was built on a small Island in 1839. Many enjoy passing the lighthouse while passing from Northwest Harbor into Gardiner’s Bay on their way to and from Sag Harbor by water.

I love to throw down an anchor in the shallow water around the Cedar Point Lighthouse and swim on hot days in the middle of a sail. I also enjoy going ashore and climbing up onto the massive slabs of rocks that make up the lighthouse deck. I have never camped at the campgrounds in Cedar Point Park, but many do. Even some East Hampton residents, but it’s mostly out of town folks.

It’s always special to introduce people to the beauty of the bays. To show them Fort Tyler off Gardiner’s Island, or to see Orient Point and its giant ferries. It’s also magical to share with them the amazing sunsets while sailing in a wonderful breeze.

One time I had some authentic “Bonackers” on board (at least 3-generation East Hampton folks) and was fascinated by their stories of sailing to Cartwright Island and making fires and enjoying being teens the same way their grandfathers did.

Often, I love recalling how I was once stuck in the shallow waters around Cartwright just off Gardiner’s Bay. There I was for almost 7 hours  before being rescued by Sea Tow! I had held the sailboat upright in the two feet of water by using two lines, one to the bow the other to the stern. When the rescue dudes came to relieve me I wasn’t wearing my glasses.

As he took the line one Sea Tow fellow said, pointing at my feet, “ I guess the sand sharks didn’t bother you!” I looked down and out of focus were a few fish-like objects nibbling near my toes. Needless to say, that really freaked me out. Sort of my own miniature Jaws moment.