Loading...
October 09, 1980 - Biking the E. End Islands)October 9, 1980 Olt ouffoik Mmto Page 13 Biking the E. End Islands When most people think of "going to the islands" they think of Bermuda, Jamaica, Haiti or the Hawaiian Islands. To those of us who live in a more modest world it could mean Fishers, Block and Shelter Islands. In the right season and at the right time, each of these islands can rival any of the others. This fall my wife and I made visits to these islands by ferry and bike and found our trips most rewarding. Of all the islands, the most familiar would be Shelter Island, for it serves as a land bridge to the North and South Shores. Most Shelter Islanders would like to see their island remain just about as it is and we found this same feeling true for all the islands we visited. Yet that's almost an impossibility. Expansion is a fact of life. Probably the least to be affected would be Fishers Island, with Block Island running a close second. While Shelter and Block Islands have accommodations for tourists, Fishers has but one hotel, the Pequot. Therefore a trip to Fishers would have to be a day trip or a well- planned one with reserved accommo- dations at the hotel. Like all the islands born out of the great glaciers that visited this area thousands of years ago, these islands have a rolling terrain. We found pedaling with a shift bike almost a must after our experience with our kids' old bikes from the garage. You remember the ones with the big tires and no gear shift? Well, that's what we used, and I must say we walked up many a hill. Nuthatches Seen Close Up Looking back though, it had its advant- ages. It made us slow down and often we'd see things we would have otherwise passed by. One in particular was the rare i,,.] delicate wildflower, the purple gerardia, that was blooming along the roadside. Because we were walking at the time we noticed it and I was able to photograp►: it after looking for many years. On another occasion, when we were pushing our bikes along we noticed three red - breasted nuthatches feeding on the edge of the road. Seeds from a nearby tree had been blown off the road onto the edge and they were taking advantage of them right before our eyes. I've never seen them up so close to realize how beautiful these tiny nuthatches are. They are much smaller than our more common white - breasted nuthatch. As you get off the ferry on Fishers Island you are immediately impressed by the military style buildings that surround the tiny harbor. As you pedal up the wide streets you know full well this end of the island was a military site years ago -- Fort Henry. What was once a parade ground is now but an overgrown field where we saw bobolinks with their familiar black and white attire and cheery song. There's a bird I've never been able to photograph. Opposite the overgrown parade ground was a line of officers' quarters that still hold an air of pomp and swagger. We passed the doctor's house where the one and only doctor lives and then visited a quiet but interesting museum where they had an old bottle of Haig & Haig on display from the days of the never -to-be- forgotten era of bootlegging. Fishers Island Another World Sunday found us in the little but busy village store. It seemed all the world should function like this community on that morning. People were friendly, they greeted each other, kids on bikes drifted in and out. The world seemed content and fresh. Later in the day we went swimming and pedaled along quiet roads. It was another world. Block Island is an open island of few trees, fields, rock walls and rolling land. The first thing you see as you enter the harbor is the characteristic red roof anc white shingled Coast Guard Station on the right. In the background your eyes are immediately pulled to the big whirlinf blades of a new and modern wind genera• tor. Block Island, like all the islands. including Long Island, ranks high in the wind zone of our eastern seaboard. It was interesting to me to see how this sleepy little island awoke to the possibilities of modern technology, applied for and got funding for this worthwhile energy pro- iect. The first day we biked the low and barren area to the north with its big freshwater pond and rolling sand dunes along the northwest. Here the prominent object was a stone lighthouse of another I}Co)CsU� era, now boarded up for posterity. The next day, after a sleep in one of the old hotels that took us back to the days of down- the -hall bathrooms and small, ,clean, white wainscoted bedrooms, we biked to the high and rolling countryside to the south. Great clay cliffs with jagged washed -out abutments rose from a sandy beach as a fortress against the storm and sea. Here again the prominent object was a lighthouse, a mariner's sentinel to safety. Block Island held a special place in our hearts, perhaps because it was in the off- season, for I'm not sure what it would be like when the summer population booms to 15,000. Shelter Island Special Treat The most recent cycling tour was on our own Shelter Island and I say own because it is so close to us here we almost feel a part of it. It is so easy to take the ferry across and bike around and it is always so much nicer when you can stop in and see old friends, especially when they are top drawer and have a huge orchard on their property. NEARBY TRIPS- -You don't have to go far to enjoy biking and get that far -away feeling. A trip to any of our nearby islands by ferry puts you in another world. Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh We compared notes about apples, pears and peaches and filled our pockets with fresh- picked fruit before we left. We knew Shelter Island well from boating, but to pedal leisurely around and see Coecles, West Creek, Dering and other harbors from the inside out was a special treat. Shelter Island is a big island and one that cannot be experienced in one day. It's an island that invites exploring. It's quaint, it's still very natural and it carries with it an air of proudness. It's a kaleidoscope of These Are The Reasons That George Sullivan Should Remain As Your Councilman. EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: George has an outstanding academic record and holds a B.B.A. in Accounting and an M.B.A. in Taxation. He also attended Law School for two years and has taught at Suffolk County Commun- ity College for several years. LEADERSHIP: George commanded a Marine rifle platoon and is one of the most highly decorated officers to serve in Vietnam. He was elected to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities and has recently been selected to form the nucleus of the Board of Directors of United Cerebral Palsy of Suffolk County. marshes, woods, bays and harbors. Add to this good accommodations and you have a perfect vacation spot near home. The more I see of these wonderful, lush islands, the. more I think we should all band together with them to form an anti- bridge association for limited access is why they are the way they are. Open them up to bridges and we will lose our islands' charm. PAULSTOUTENBURGH COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: George has served on the Bishop's Special Appeal for his parish for two years. He has coached CYO basketball for four seasons and soccer for two years. He has served as the scholarship chairman of the PTA as well as serving on an ad hoc School Board Committee. George has also participated in the Rotary Club's High School career day for two years. He has actively supported many community activities. EXPERIENCE: George's year on the Town Board has given him the knowledge and ability to perform his job for the benefit of all the residents of Southold Town. He has worked well with the Supervisor and other Board members and Town business has been accomplished in a business -like and professional manner. PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: George is a practicing certified Public Accountant with over thirteen years experience in his profession. At a recent Town Board meeting, his knowledge of leases saved the Town several hundred dollars on a Town concession property. BOARD ACCOMPLISHMENTS: George's resolution has made the Town van available for our Youth and other groups. As Chairman of the Taxation and Finance Committee, he has conducted an extensive review of the Town's insurance policies in an attempt to obtain the best coverage for the lowest price. His direction on the recent Robins Island resolution has resulted in an advisory committee which will present an economic impact and access impact statement so that a balanced view toward possible acquisition can be presented to the people of Southold Town. After long years of debate he and the other members of the Board enacted a Town Fire Code which provides added protection to our Town's residents and volunteer firemen. VOTE FOR COUNCILMAN GEORGE SULLIVAN ON NOVEMBER 4th Committee To Elect George Sullivan Presents MEET THE CANDIDATE COCKTAIL PARTY Sunday, October 12, 1980 3:00 - 6:00 General Wayne Inn, Southold Free Admission, Music, Cash Bar (Paid Political Advertisement)