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March 08, 2007 - From city lights to island idyllThe Suffolk Times • March S, 2007 • 7A From cit y lights to island idyll In our wanderings here in Florida we found a wonderful natural area preserve. It was a gift to the public by a gracious lady who had enjoyed the area throughout her lifetime. Her wish was to make sure others had the same chance to see her world as she had. It was a delightful area where you could wander amongst native trees and shrubs along wide and well -kept pathways Every once in a while there would be an opening reveal - FOC U S ing some special ON view.There were picnic tables NATURE and benches where you could by Paul relax and enjoy Stoutenburgh Florida as it once was What a wonderful world it would be if those who have such unique areas would set them aside for the public to enjoy. I'm always amazed when we come across these unique gifts of the out- doors I can remember Martha Husing may, many years ago giving property on a pond in Mattitudc to The Nature Conservancy. It started other gifts to the conservancy on the North Fork and was the beginning of an era of preservation. Since then valuable wet- lands have been saved, bluffs along the Sound, watershed areas — all valuable assets to the people of the North Fork. After leaving the big gazebo that is used for educational purposes at this preserve down here in Florida, we headed for one of the big cities to the south. We drove until we hit the bumper -to- bumper traffic of the city and wondered why we had done such a foolish thing. I guess it was so we could say, "We were there." It would show us another side of Florida that most people feel very comfortable with. Our drive took us along the west coast, which was saturated with mani- cured lawns, elaborate landscaping, and monstrous mansions of every size and description. Each one of these estates faced the blue -green waters of the sparkling Gulf It would be inter- esting to know how each of these pala- tial estates was acquired. Where there were no estates commanding the view of the Gulf, condominiums rose and captured the view. As we drove along we could see signs that read "Beach Access," which meant if you didn't live on the Gulf you were allowed to walk through and onto the beach. All this wealth was just the tip of the iceberg just a hint of the Gold Coast found throughout Florida. We even joined the tourists in the city by indulging in double- decker ice cream cones and, of course, like others did some window shopping. The vaca- tioners filled the streets, some buying vacation outfits, others buying souve- nirs of their vacation in Florida The crowd of tourists reminded me of Fast Hampton or Sag Harbor during their summer days We could see the traffic building up more and more, so we thought it was time to move on. Our destina- tion before calling it a day was an interesting little peninsula called Beer Can Island. It had a right -of -way that led to a broad, sandy beach that was pockmarked with sun - worshippers who glistened with sun cream, each sprawled out on their newly pur- chased beach towels. What made us want to explore this little island were the birds we hoped to see and the unstable sands that we were told prevented building on the island. This island made the news recently when a boat- load of Cuban refugees landed on this very beach. What a contrast, with our sunbathers on one hand, and then the desperate refugees hop- ing to find a better life. It gave us an odd feeling as we walked barefoot up the beach. It wasn't long before our walk on the beach was halted by remains of dead trees blocking our way. Evidently the past hurricane season had taken its toll. Everywhere, the downed dead black branches and roots stood as a reminder of the power of Mother Na- ture. The mass of dead trees presented such a barrier that we had to take to the path in back of the beach that our grandson found. The path wandered through green shrubbery, making an almost dome- like cover as we walked along enjoying the shade it provided. We came out to an overwashed stretch of sand that showed us the power of the waves that moved the sands into low dunes Finally the path we'd been walking opened up to a beautiful beach, where families had come by boat; some of the men fished while kids played in the clean, cool waters of the Gulf, Just offshore I watched through my bin- oculars as 10 to 20 pelicans kept up Our destination was an interesting little peninsula called Beer Can Island. Exterminating Complete Insect & Rodent Control Latest techniques and procedures used! Termite specialist Household Pests Ants • Rats • Fleas • Spiders Mice • Roaches Outdoor Pease Tick/Moscluito spray Program New Tick Non-Spray Program Crickets • Moles & Vries All Stinging ktsects Humane Nuisance - Wildlife Removal &Otrels, Raccoons, etc. When I stopped to rest and see If the fishermen were having any luck, this great glue heron thought I had a choice tidbit for him. It doesn't take long for some of them to !earn It's much easier to take a free lunch handout than to search the shallows for the possibility of catching an elusive killifish. Seftk Times Moto by Barbara Stoutenburgh a procession of headlong dives into the water, their wings swept bads as they made a huge splash. Their diving was a sure sign of fish in the water. Meanwhile, a noisy group of fish crows gleaned the sandy beach in hopes someone had dropped a morsel. Behind this small park was the bay with its calm waters and occasional boat traffic that used the pass to go out into the Gulf, The shades of green spelled shallow water, but the channel was well marked. Our day was a relaxed but busy one. We had taken on the bumper- to -bum- per traffic. We walked with the tourists, who were dressed in their new vaca- tion outfits, and we had visited two natural areas, where we found peace and quiet. One visit to the city would hold us for the rest of the season. We walk a slower pace, one that reveals a world of wonder each and every day. Inc "The only name you need to Eat 6E know for your pest control needs" Locally Owned and Operatedl Over 20 Years' Experience Serving the North Fbrk. Residential & Commercial Monthly Service Plans Service Agreement Discounts Real Estate Certificates NORTH FORK PEST SERVICES BUG US 2417 Divarion of North Shore Fxr Tminaiing FOR EMERGENCY SERVICE Service for all your pest control ` Cwtvats: Craig Rosenberg and John Bennett 727 -9700 • 765 -6565 The Suffolk Times • March 8, 2007.7 From ci*t 4 • to island 1*d3 iwn °V 1,1,E ui+ ittihNr� 'muHumr''id��ll�lul� "l'�M1 rni�w.i4d�hrin��i �"�li,nrhhul�llw oM!p. �u�^ ll� µl�widil��lMln yi �l���np rre" •;u u�il�H�tii my �ti ,' - �w lights 11 In our wanderings here in Florida we found a wonderful natural area preserve. It was a gift to the public by a gracious lady who had enjoyed the area throughout her lifetime. Her wis was to make sure others had the same chance to see her world as she had. It was a delightful area where you could wander amongst native trees and shrubs along wide and well -kept pathways. Every once in a while there would be an opening reveal - FQCU$ ing some special view. There were ON picnic tables NATURE and benches where you could by Paul relax and enjoy Stoutenburgh Florida as it once was. What a wonderful world When I stopped to rest and see if the fishermen were having any luck, this great blue heron thought I had a choice tidbit for him. It doesn't take long for some of them to learn it's much easier to take a free lunch handout than to search the shallows for the possibility of catching an elusive killifish. Suffolk Times photo by Barbara Stoutenburgh it would be if those who have such unique areas would set them aside for the public to enjoy. I'm always amazed when we come across these unique gifts of the out- doors. I can remember Martha Husing many, many years ago giving property on a pond in Mattituck to The Nature Conservancy. It started other gifts to the conservancy on the North Fork and was the beginning of an era of preservation. Since then valuable wet -, lands have been saved, bluffs along the Sound, watershed areas — all valuable assets to the people of the North Fork. After leaving the big gazebo that is used for educational purposes at this preserve down here in Florida, we headed for one of the big cities to the south. We drove until we hit the bumper -to- bumper traffic of the city and wondered why we had done such foolish mg. 1 pMrs-ir-was so we coma say, "We were there." It would show us another side of Florida that most people feel very comfortable with. Our drive took us along the west coast, which was saturated with mani- cured lawns, elaborate landscaping, and monstrous mansions of every size and description. Each one of these estates faced the blue -green waters of the sparkling Gulf. It would be inter- esting to know how each of these pala tial estates was acquired. Where there were no estates commanding the view of the Gulf,.condominiums rose and captured the view. As we drove along we could see signs that read "Beach Access," which meant if you didn't live on the Gulf you were allowed to walk through and onto the beach. All this wealth was just the tip of the iceberg, just a hint of the Gold Coast found throughout Florida. We even joined the tourists in the city by indulging in double- decker ice cream cones and, of course, like others did some window shopping. The vaca- tioners filled the streets, some buying vacation outfits, others buying souve- nirs of their vacation in Florida. The crowd of tourists reminded me of East Hampton or Sag Harbor during their summer days. We could see the traffic building up more and more, so we thought it was time to move on. Our destina- tion before calling it a day was an interesting little peninsula called Bee Can Island. It had a right -of -way that led to a broad, sandy beach that was „nr,kmarked with sun - worshippers vho glistened with sun cream, jan sprawled out on their newly p,based beach towels. What made us want to exploittle island were the birds we hto see and the unstable sands twe were told prevented buildinthe island.This island made the recently when a boat- load of Cuban refugees landed on this very beach. What a contrast, with our sunbathers on one hand, and then the desperate refugees hop- ing to find a better life. It gave us an odd feeling as we walked barefoot up the beach. It wasn't long before our walk on the beach was halted by remains of dead trees blocking our way. Evidentl the past hurricane season had taken its toll. Everywhere, the downed dead black branches and roots stood as a reminder of the power of Mother Na- ture. The mass of dead trees presented such a barrier that we had to take to the path in back of the beach that our grandson found. The path wandered through green shrubbe making an almost dome- like cover as we walked S along enjoying the shade it provided. We came out to an overwashed stretch of sand that showed us the power of the waves that moved t e sands into low dunes. Finally the path we'd been walking opened up to a beautiful beach, where families had come by boat; some of the men fished while kids played in the clean, cool waters of the Gulf. Just offshore I watched through my bin- oculars as 10 to 20 pelicans kept up uur aestma ion wa an interesting little P called Beer Can Island. a procession ui mauiviig ul -a —w the water, their wings swept back as they made a huge splash. Their diving was a sure sign of fish in the water. Meanwhile, a noisy group of fish crows gleaned the sandy beach in hopes someone had dropped a morsel. Behind this small park was the bay with its calm waters and occasional boat traffic that used the pass to go out into the Gulf. The shades of green spelled shallow water, but the channel was well marked. Our day was a relaxed but busy one. We had taken on the bumper- to -bum- per traffic. We walked with the tourists who were dressed in their new vaca- tion outfits, and we had visited two natural areas, where we found peace and quiet. One visit to the city would hold us for'the rest of the season. We walk a slower pace, one that reveals a world of wonder each and every day.