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November 23, 2006 - Ocean takes center stageI OA • The Suffolk Times • November 23, 2006 Ocean We wanted to make a fall trip to Montauk before cold weather set in. We'd gone last spring on a special overnight at one of the motels that included dinner at a local restaurant and breakfast in town. Our spring trip worked out so well, we thought we'd do it again, so we threw a few things in the car and got away before some- thing had a chance to come up and upset our plans. As we walked Focus to the car, we couldn't help but ON notice how many NATURE leaves had fallen. That storm, with by pap) its wind and rain, Stoutenburgh really did a job of convincing the trees to give up and let the leaves fall where they may. Our trip to Montauk was un- eventful, with only one stop, in East Hampton. As you enter the village there is a beautiful old mansion on the north side of the highway, nestled in amongst some of the largest trees you'll find anywhere. It's the area where the great elms grace the road- sides. I'm always looking for reference books, and in this grand old home, where the ladies of East Hampton run a thrift shop, I picked up three great books: one on hawks, one on amphib- ians and one on ginseng. If things got dull out at Montauk, we'd have plenty of reading material to keep us busy. Our motel was made up of a series of units facing the ocean, and what an ocean it was. We could hear it pound- ing and caught a glimpse of it as we parked the car. Our gear could wait to get put in our room; we were drawn to the most spectacular sight we could imagine. Evidently the strong northeast winds, with the help of a full moon and the right direction of the tide, had set the stage for this spectac- ular show of the ocean on a rampage. Great plumes of white spray and mist blew up as the waves, one after another, crashed on the outer bar that parallels Long Island, then regrouped and spent themselves on the sandy beach below us. Little did we know that the next day we'd be treated to an even more spectacular show of wind and surf We finally broke away from the wild scene of churning surf and settled Suffolk Times photo by Barbara Stoutenburgh We held our breath as we watched fishermen casting their lures into the surf from rocks as huge waves rolled toward them. Occasionally a wave would crash nearby, drenching them in spray and mist. in with our bags and miscellaneous gear. But the attraction of that wild display drew us back — this time we'd go down and walk the ocean beach, accompanied by its constant roar. The beach was swept clean from the previous night's extra -high tide that had cut into the base of the dunes. As far as we could see in both directions, nature in one of her wildest moods had removed millions of yards of sand from the dunes overnight. At one point we found an opening in the dune and walked back away front the beach. The dune grass (Am- mophila) had already gone to seed as well as the seaside goldenrod. Here and there we could see a few cherry- sized rose hips. The beach pea that grows in the hot dry sand was still green and healthy, but there were none of its blossoms left. A few beach plum bushes took on their winter dress of naked branches, their curled - up, dull yellow leaves scattered about. Our opening in the dune had led us to the campground of Hither Hills State Park, and believe it or not there • Fully equipped kitchens with dishwasher, microwave, gas range, and large pantry • Medical pull cords in each apartment • Huge walk-in closets • Beautifully wooded surroundings • Gated community • Private access to Riverhead Shopping Centre 2- Bedroom Apartments Starting at $1,079 were half a dozen hardy souls camp- ing there, some in tents and others in their trailers. They were taking advantage of the last week the park would be open. As we walked along the well -kept grounds of the camp, we reminisced about the many times our family had enjoyed this park. The day was running out of time, so we retraced our steps back to the beach. We couldn't get over how clean the beach was; we saw only two broken moon shells and a part of a surf clam — nothing else. Next day we awoke and enjoyed coffee as we watched a beautiful sun- rise. Later, we left the surf still pounding and An endless headed for Montauk vil- white Win lage and the well -known breakfast shop. We took the old road with its ups and downs and 20-mph speed limit. Most of Montauk village is closed for the season, but the eating places seem to always keep busy. With a hearty breakfast under our belts, it was off to the point. We pulled into the two - level parking lot and got out on the upper level where we added warmer clothing. The wind was still blowing and we could see off in the distance great plumes of white as the waves exploded in spray. As we worked our way down the dirt path, we could hear the roaring surf. In the protection of the high bushes that tined the path, a brilliant red cardinal sitting amongst the now red berries of the bittersweet greeted us. What a picture the bright morning sun made of that colorful cardinal in the bittersweet. At the bottom we were treated to one of nature's great spectacles, that saute roaring sea we'd seen the day before was even more striking, for now the tide and the wind were at odds with each other. An endless line of white wind -blown spray rode atop each wave. Some seemed to hold back, as if collecting additional strength so they could outdo the pre- ceding one. It was unusual not to see any sea ducks working near shore, but, far off, my binoculars picked up gan- nets, scoters, strings of eiders and, of course, the ever - present cormorants. We had noticed a good number of fishermen in the parking lot and now we were about to see some of them in what we considered pretty precari- ous situations. Standing on slippery rocks with surf breaking all around them, they were casting line of their lures into the boil- -blown ing water. We couldn't believe it. Every once in atop a while it seemed as if a wave would explode right alongside them, and for a moment they disappeared in the whiteness of spray and mist. Later we were to see they use specially spiked shoes so they don't slip on the rocks. We were all but mesmerized by these great white waves, continu- ally moving onward by some great power. Everywhere we looked, a display blossomed like a Fourth of July celebration. "Did you see that one ?" "Look over therel" "Wow!" "See the rainbow the sun makes as the spray blows back over the top of each wave." Our overnight at Montauk will live with us for a long time. Yes, it was a bit short, but, hey, get every moment you can. We did. spray rode each wave. Catch Paul Stoutenburgh every week in TIMES /REVIEW NEWSPAPERS. Ocea The Suffolk Times • November 23, 2006 takes center stage M, Suffolk Times photo by Barbara Stoutenburgh held our breath as we watched fishermen casting their lures into the surf from rocks as huge waves rolled toward n. Occasionally a wave would crash nearby. drenching them in sgrav and mist. We wanted to make a fall trip to Montauk before cold weather set in. We'd gone last spring on a special overnight at one of the motels that included dinner at a local restaurant and breakfast in town. Our spring trip worked out so well, we thought we'd do it again, so we threw a few things in the ear and got away before some- thing had a chance to come up and upset our plans. As we walked Focus to the car, we O N couldn't help but notice how many NATURE leaves had fallen. That storm, with by Paul its wind and rain, Stoutenburgh really did a job of convincing the trees to give uo is iet the leaves tail wnere tney may. Our trip to Montauk was un- rentful, with only one stop, in East ampton. As you enter the village tere is a beautiful old mansion on & north side of the highway, nestled . amongst some of the largest trees V11 find anywhere. It's the area here the great elms grace the road - des. I'm always looking for reference )oks, and in this grand old home, here the ladies of East Hampton run thrift shop, I picked up three great )oks: one on hawks, one on amphib- ns and one on ginseng. If things got .ill out at Montauk, we'd have plenty `reading material to keep us busy. Our motel was made up of a series units facing the ocean, and what an 'ean it was. We could hear it pound - .g and caught a glimpse of it as we 4 . Suffolk Times photo by Barbara Stoutenburgh held our breath as we watched fishermen casting their lures into the surf from rocks as huge waves rolled toward n. Occasionally a wave would crash nearby. drenching them in sgrav and mist. We wanted to make a fall trip to Montauk before cold weather set in. We'd gone last spring on a special overnight at one of the motels that included dinner at a local restaurant and breakfast in town. Our spring trip worked out so well, we thought we'd do it again, so we threw a few things in the ear and got away before some- thing had a chance to come up and upset our plans. As we walked Focus to the car, we O N couldn't help but notice how many NATURE leaves had fallen. That storm, with by Paul its wind and rain, Stoutenburgh really did a job of convincing the trees to give uo is iet the leaves tail wnere tney may. Our trip to Montauk was un- rentful, with only one stop, in East ampton. As you enter the village tere is a beautiful old mansion on & north side of the highway, nestled . amongst some of the largest trees V11 find anywhere. It's the area here the great elms grace the road - des. I'm always looking for reference )oks, and in this grand old home, here the ladies of East Hampton run thrift shop, I picked up three great )oks: one on hawks, one on amphib- ns and one on ginseng. If things got .ill out at Montauk, we'd have plenty `reading material to keep us busy. Our motel was made up of a series units facing the ocean, and what an 'ean it was. We could hear it pound - .g and caught a glimpse of it as we pd,Kcu ine car. Uur gear could wait t4 get put in our room; we were drawn to the most spectacular sight we could imagine. Evidently the strong northeast winds, with the help of a ful . moon and the right direction of the tide, had set the stage for this spectac- ular show of the ocean on a rampage. Great plumes of white spray and mist blew up as the waves, one after another, crashed on the outer bar that parallels Long Island, then regrouped and spent themselves on the sandy beach below us. Little did we know that the next day we'd be treated to an even more spectacular show of wind and surf. We finally broke away from the wild scene of churning surf and settled in with our bags and miscellaneous gear. But the attraction of that wild display drew us back — this time we' go down and walk the ocean beach, accompanied by its constant roar. The beach was swept clean from the previous night's extra -high tide that had cut into the base of the dunes. As far as we could see in both directions, nature in one of her wildest moods had removed millions of yards of sand from the dunes overnight. At one point we found an opening in the dune and walked back away from the beach. The dune grass (Am- mophila) had already gone to seed as well as the seaside goldenrod. Here and there we could see a few cherry- sized rose hips. The beach pea that grows in the hot dry sand was still green and healthy, but there were none of its blossoms left. A few beach plum bushes took on their winter dress of naked branches, their curled - up, dull yellow leaves scattered about. Our opening in the dune had led us to the campground of Hither Hills State Park, and believe it or not there wore pair a cozen har y sous camp ing there, some in tents and others in their trailers. They were taking advantage of the last week the park would be open. As we walked along he well -kept grounds of the camp, e reminisced about the many times ur family had enjoyed this park. The ay was running out of time, so we etraced our steps back to the beach. e couldn't get over how clean the each was; we saw only two broken oon shells and a part of a surf clam — nothing else. Next day we awoke and enjoyed coffee as we watched a beautiful ise. Later, we left the urf still pounding and eaded for Montauk vil age and the well-known reakfast shop. We took the old road ith its ups and downs and 20 -mph speed limit. Most of Montauk village is closed for the season, but the eating places seem to always keep busy. With a hearty breakfast under our belts, it was off to the point. We pulled into the two - level parking lot and got out on the upper level where we added warmer clothing. The wind was still blowing and we could see off in the distance great plumes of white as the waves exploded in spray. As we worked our way down the dirt path, we could hear the roaring surf. In the protection of the high bushes that lined the path, a brilliant red cardinal sitting amongst the now red berries of the bittersweet greeted us. What a picture the bright mornin sun made of that colorful cardinal in the bittersweet. At the bottom we were treated to one of nature's great spectacles, that same roaring sea we'd seen the day before was even more striking, for now the tide and the wind were at odds with each other. An endless An endless line of white wind -blown spray rode atop each wave. ime or wrote wina -mown spray roae atop each wave. Some seemed to hold back, as if collecting additional strength so they could outdo the pre- ceding one. It was unusual not to see any sea ducks working near shore, but, far off, my binoculars picked up gan- nets, scoters, strings of eiders and, of course, the ever - present cormorants. We had noticed a good number of fishermen in the parking lot and now we were about to see some of them in what we considered pretty precari- ous situations. Standing on slippery rocks with surf breaking all around them, they were casting their lures into the boil- ing water. We couldn't believe it. Every once in a while it seemed as if a wave would explode right alongside them, and or a moment they disappeared in the whiteness of spray and mist. Later we were to see they use.specially spiked shoes so they don't slip on the rocks. We were all but mesmerized by these great white waves, continu- ally moving onward by some great power. Everywhere we looked, a display blossomed like a Fourth of July celebration. "Did you see that one ?" "Look over there!" "Wow!" "See the rainbow the sun makes as the spray blows back over the top of each wave." Our overnight at Montauk will live with us for a long time. Yes, it was a bit short, but, hey, get every moment you can. We did.