Usalola’s Weblog

First, let me say, there are no pictures on this blog. Quite honestly, I didn’t see anything I wanted to shoot! So if you’re still interested in my whitty (ha!) writing, read on.

After Glenn & I dropped off Richele and Edmund we started making our way towards NYC, and JFK – where Glenn would be catching a flight to Greece in a couple of days. I was getting a little nervous already thinking about driving out of JFK and into New Jersey. LA this is not, these people are serious about their driving.  I was going to give myself time to relax beforehand, though, by heading out to Long Island and the Hamptons (you have to say it with your teeth clenched and an english accent).

Route 27 is the road that takes you to the south shore, and all the Hamptons,  - Southhampton, Bridgehampton and East Hampton. I drove as far as Southhampton to see what all the fuss is about. Yes, the town is quaint (yet again!) and the beach is beautiful, but there were some massively huge (and ugly, in my opinion) houses on the beach. I’m talking mansions that could easily be hotels and castles in Europe. Waaay over the top. I had enough of that, and settled myself into a beach-side campground with a glass of wine and my cats. Now THAT’S the way to live.

Long Island also has its own wine country ( I seem to sniff them out) on the north shore off of route 48 and route 25. It is bordered by the Atlantic ocean and the Long Island sound.It is relatively new (early 80’s)and is doing a really decent job with Gewurtz. and Cabernet Franc. I started out at Jamesport Vineyards and Jake directed me to some other wineries that are doing sustainable and biodynamic farming. My favorite was Shinn Vineyards, who are working with biodynamic principles even though they are not certified at this point. It is a really beautiful area and they are making some good wines, but need to get real with their prices. (100$ for a Long Island Meritage blend at one winery!)

The next day I had to face my fear and drive over to New Jersey. Now, this wouldn’t have been such a deal if I could have taken LOLA on the parkways- I would have gone through Staten Island and avoided the whole NYC/Bronx traffic, but there are height limitations on them due to some old bridges. So heart beating, hands sweating and eyes wide open, I headed off.  Everything was going smoothly until.. the infamous “until” – I went right when I should have gone left, and I found myself stuck in traffic in the middle of the Bronx. Oh happy day! All went ok, really, and was actually a little amusing, when at one point, sitting in traffic, a guy in the car next to me yells over “What is ‘dat thing?” (meaning the rig). New York – you gotta love it.

Whew! that over with, I’m going to spend the week cruising down the Jersey coast.  First stop was Freehold, town of the Henry Hudson rail trail (seem to sniff those out too.) It was a 25-mile out and back  paved and forest-lined ride. Really enjoyable, but longer than I anticipated as it winds through alot of small towns.

I continued my way south, stopping in Atlantic city for a little shopping (great outlet stores and no tax!). I’m not into gambling, so I drove around the outskirts of the city taking in all the stately and big seaside mansions.  I meandered down Ocean drive and little beachy towns, to Cape May at the southern most tip of the Jersey shore. The penisula was first inhabited by the kechemeche Indians, and sighted by Sir Henry Hudson (of the rail trail above) in 1609.

After a devastating fire in 1878, the town rebuilt its homes and businesses in the Queen Anne and Gothic style that still exists today. Ok, enough of the history lesson. I took the ferry over to Delaware and have worked my way up through the state ( very open fields, and not much to talk about) to Maryland, and my brother in- laws house, where I am going to say “see ya” to the rig and the cats and go join Glenn in Greece for some fun in the sun!!!