Long Island 2019

Let me tell it to you straight.  After hours and hours of driving, the sight of the New York skyline as seen from the George Washington Bridge fills me with all sorts of happy.

I have so many childhood memories of hanging out with my Long Island cousins.  I love that my children now love hanging out with these same favorite people.  For our family, the trip east is not just a long drive--it's a pilgrimage.  And it's worth it.  Here we are all enjoying some delicious barbecue in my Aunt Alison's Centerport backyard.  From right to left we have Katelyn, Jeanette, Alesia, Eli, Talia, Brooklyn, Sebastian (Jeanette's boyfriend), Ryan (Katie's boyfriend), and the back of Annie's head.  Sorry we missed you in the picture, Greg!

Aunt Al's pool is as great as it was when I was a child.  Thank you, Alison, for hosting us so graciously.

Just a mile down the road in Northport, we got to hang out with Katelyn's rats.  Undoubtedly, this is Annika's version of heaven.

Luxury accommodations for Katelyn's "kids": Sky, Curry, Mocha, Clove, and Aspen.

Hello, Curry!  Or are you Clove?  I'm such a forgetful Aunt.

Also awaiting us on Long Island was a 6000 piece Lego Hogwarts castle, courtesy of Alesia.  Eli's version of heaven, right here.

Even NomiAnn seems impressed, and rightfully so.  It's pretty incredible.

Well-done, builders!

As long as we are on the subject of Harry Potter, the Mirror of Erised in Alesia's room is gorgeous.  Better yet, it doubles as a jewelry box.

While in Northport, the kids and I got to experience another "first" - VR.  Having never tried it, I was pretty skeptical about Virtual Reality, but it's mighty fun, albeit trippy.

Even Papa Kay gave the VR a go.

Annika liked the VR, but was more excited about this caterpillar we found in our minivan.  She named it Carle after the Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Now for a few excursions: Nunley's Carousel.  The carousel is now part of Museum Row in Garden City.

Brooklyn liked catching the rings.

The Cradle of Aviation Museum.  In 1927, Charles Lindbergh took off from nearby Roosevelt Field for the first transatlantic solo flight to Paris.

While the others checked out the planes, Annika and I glided on over to the Long Island Children's Museum.

I kind of want one of these water canvases in my backyard.

A few days later, Papa Kay and NomiAnn took Eli and Annika to the Long Island Explorium where they once again had a great time.

Brooklyn and Talia made a special request that we all get fish tacos at the Whale's Tale in Northport.

Ironically enough, nearly all of us ordered the Maui "fish" tacos, which happen to be chicken.  Whatever the protein, they are delicious.

 

Annika and Alesia showed up with a very special new friend, Chloe.  We'll learn more about her in the next post.


Last but certainly not least, Robert Moses beach.  You can tell Aunt Alison gets a bit more sun than my parents.


My favorite midwesterners, Papa Kay and NomiAnn.

Alesia's stylin' in her shades.


Sebastian and Jeanette.

Boogie Boardin' Brooklyn

Tidal Talia

The three amigas.


Eli digs deep.

Annika tried playing in the waves for a while...

...but ended up with a face full of salt water.


Instead of swimming, she spent most of the afternoon hunting for sand crabs.

Remember those sand crabs?  In the end there were so many that we decided to count.

More than a hundred!  Fortunately we convinced our critter loving gal to return them all to their ocean home.

Since Jason wasn't with us for our first beach trip, we made a second expedition to Fire Island.  With NomiAnn and Papa Kay's help, we nailed the beach routine.

There's my honey!  Um, I mean Peanut Butter.

Happy Daddy Daughter moment.

Just for the record, I also ventured into the deep water to jump the waves.  I'd forgotten how completely amazing it is!

Quintessential beach.

Concluding the post with a stunning Northport sunset.

To everyone who gave up their beds and gave up their time, thanks for making us so welcome on Long Island.

(But next time, let's make Annie sleep on the floor.)