My favorite place on Earth.
Montauk. Where it all began, where it will end, and most importantly where our next journey will bring Champ and Nessie!
Lovingly nicknamed “The End” some people also refer to it as “The Beginning”, as we always do. Montauk is the Eastern most point of Long Island. Wikipedia would refer to it as “A major tourist destination that has six state parks, particularly famous for its fishing, claiming to have more world saltwater fishing records than any other port in the world.” Me personally, I would refer to it as my Heaven on Earth.
You know when a place just speaks to you? That feeling you get when you come home after a long day. I know this may sound a bit silly, but it’s almost like Montauk is a person and we love her. We miss her when we don’t get to see her often, and are sad when something bad happens to her. I can vividly recall speeding up and over the steep hills on Old Montauk Highway as fast as we could. Anticipating those “butterflies in your stomach” like when you are on a fast roller-coaster. On April 30, 2011 I relived that “butterfly feeling” again when Zeb and I were married at St. Teresa of Lisieux Church in Montauk town. It was always my dream to be a bride in Montauk. To be in my wedding dress in front of the Lighthouse, with the wind carelessly blowing my hair and my prince charming passionately kissing me on the hill overlooking the ocean. And let me tell you, it was worth getting my heels dirty and my hair messed up for!
My love for Montauk started many years ago as a kid. It has become such a special place for us, and by us I do mean my husband and I, but also my family. For as long as I can remember we have been driving out East to the Hampton’s and to Montauk. Those long, traffic jammed 3 hour car rides have become some of my most treasured childhood memories. It was always a “journey” and never just a long drive. We would always break up the trip with a “designated stop” at 7-11 and grab snacks. My cousin Anthony and I would make up skits and pretend we were hosting a talk show, broadcasting live from the backseat of the emerald green Mercury Villager Minivan. We would just laugh the whole way. I think those long rides made me the road warrior I am today. I am always excited for a road trip!
Whenever we feel overwhelmed with life, we head out East and we head to Montauk, its free therapy. We drive in silence with the windows down to feel and smell that salty air and if I am being 100% honest, Tim McGraw is blasting on the radio. I have learned that all roads lead me to Montauk, no matter what the season or circumstance. It has become a place where we feel most like ourselves, and we know how lucky we are to have that. Especially in today’s insanely busy, internet/cellphone driven society where it is impossible to unplug and relax.
I am proud to say my son loves Montauk too. It’s funny how life comes full circle and I find myself taking him places my mom would take me when I was little. Like driving out to Montauk on Forth of July to get a great spot to watch the fireworks, or going to the duck pond in East Hampton town and kayaking in the bay by our house. Watching him collect hermit crabs from the same spot I did as a kid is surreal sometimes. It makes my heart so happy.
Logan loves going to his “East Hampton House”, and even though he is three and a half and tells us REPEATEDY from the back seat “Mommy, East Hampton is too far away” when we are sitting on the Belt Parkway in bumper to bumper traffic. When we pull down the driveway and all our troubles from the busy week fade away, I know the trip was worth it. We look forward to making many more memories out East together. Who knows, we may even have a re-boot of our famous talk show “Milky Way Morons and Butterfinger Buddies” from the second generation of cousins!
We look forward to writing our next adventure and sharing it with you!
Champ and Nessie, The Journey to Montauk. Coming 2020.
And mom… please stop crying.
Here are a few links to help you discover Montauk
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