New York Beaches

Every once in while I run across New Yorkers who say nicely, but bordering on haughtily, something to the effect of, "Oh, I never go to New York beaches" or "I wouldn't know about New York beaches, I have never been to one". I definitely hear a lot of about the sketchy cleanliness of Coney Island/Brighton Beach and even a questioning eyebrow about the sand and water at the Far Rockaways.
But I have to say that this summer we have explored a lot of the beaches along the South Shore of Long Island and have been pleasantly surprised. While we, neither the weak swimmer (Sage), the afraid of water completely (buddies), or the only dip in when I am about to boil (me), aren't exactly frolicking for lengthy amounts of time under the water bobbing up and down gulping in big mouthfulls of seawater---the Atlantic Ocean appears to be fairly clean at every single beach we queried. And from the super convienient 15 minute drive, Far Rockaway public beach/free parking to the 45 minute drive there (2 hour drive back)/$10-to-park Robert Moses State Park on Fire Island the sand was clean and litter free and sandcastle-able.

I just kept remarking to myself all summer, "This is so NICE." And then turning to whoever was with me, "Isn't this so NICE?" On Sundays, I could buy the big, thick $5 Sunday Times, drive out the Belt Parkway, pitch my beach umbrella over my beach chair, spread out the beach blanket and beach toys and read--peacefully, maybe even get to the Travel or Real Estate section. Because there is something methodically calming and theraputic about the ocean. Because my kids are transfixed by the event.

The buddies would literally play for 4-5 hours in the sand with their trucks and shovels, occasionally joining forces with other boys to dig VERY deep holes. Sage likes to lay stomach down right where the waves peter out and get sloshed around by the very shallow, but still very powerful water, occasionally venturing out further with a secure adult hand held tight. She marvels at the tiny crabs and multi-colored shells and the vastness.

So, after a thoroughly scientific investigation of the "New York Beaches"---I like them. And I will continue to advocate for them and visit them especially when "New York" becomes to much.