In which the girls escape the heat, rent a Prius and drive to Montauk, Long Island

The Atlantic Ocean at the tip of Long Island in a town called Montauk

Yesterday we sweated in New York City as the temperature nudged 100 degrees.

The beach at Montauk

We splurged and rented a Prius for $49.99 plus insurance and taxes and $3.00 for an extra driver and drove east out toward Long Island.

Wave action

We languished in the air-conditioned car.  We carried sunscreen, books, a change of clothing, our Google directions and a sense of adventure. 

More wave action

We temporarily got lost around Little Neck or Great Neck or Throg Neck.  (Seriously, folks, they take their Necks seriously around here!)  But we aimed our way east out of the necks and eventually landed in the Hamptons, which went on for mile after blessed mile.  There was East Hampton and South Hampton and North Hampton and the Hampton Bays and more Hamptons than we can recall. 

Think twice before swimming.

Finally, 130 or more miles after Queens, the exciting Prius (in which the driver pushed a power button while braking the car to start it) that featured almost 50 miles per gallon arrived at Montauk.  Montauk lies on the tippy tip of Long Island, a long island which stretches out into the Atlantic Ocean east of New York City.

Barry, this boat is for you. It will be delivered soon.

The girls walked the beach, wandered the shops, drank tea at a magnificent local coffee shop, visited the marina and basically enjoyed the freedom of exploring a new town along the ocean.  We took off our shoes.  We tippled our toes in the waves.  We took photos. (These photos came from both Kathy and Kiah’s cameras.)

Sand, waves, ocean, sky

Later we headed back toward the Hamptons for dinner.  A fierce rainstorm brewed in the west and north.  Lightening sparked the sky.  We aimed toward the Chowder House to outwit the storm.  The storm outwitted us.  We finally drove back into it after delicious salad and chowder.  Rain pummelled the Prius.  We drove anyway.  Opened the window to feel the delightfully cool air.  Drove back through the rain to New York City without even getting lost again.

Kiah wanders the beach

It was a good adventure.

Kathy feels the cool breeze

We have to return the rental car to Terrence before 1 p.m.  It awaits us, parked in the street, below the apartment building.

Footsteps to the sea

Thank you for virtually accompanying us to the Atlantic Ocean.  Let’s wipe the sand off our feet before we get back into the car and head into a new day.