<p>Watching those IM away messages can be a useful “mood monitor”. 
Sometimes, though, it’s better just not to know.</p>
<p>nova07—you’re right! The away message is a good barometer of the mood of the day. The internet has made it very easy to stay in touch with only a sentence or two. For all of you preparing your son/daughter for I-Day, savor all of the moments of the coming months and years. I am astonished how fast the last two years have gone. I can hardly believe that my Mid will soon be a member of the second class. Attention is starting to focus in on service selection in another year. If at all possible, try to visit as often as you can. It is really a special place. If you have never attended a football game in Annapolis, put it on your list of things to do over the next few years. The first few games are usually quite warm and it is quite a site to watch the Brigade march over to the stadium and onto the field. I am sure that it gets a bit old for the Mids but as a parent it never gets old to me.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>My dear, you have no idea how old it gets. :)</p>
<p>I had an interesting discussion with KP Supe Admiral Stewart, USNA '64 – MG USMC, the Friday after Recognition and he said that one of the reasons they don’t wait until the end of the year to recognize the Plebes at KP is that he believes that after a certain point, Plebe year becomes counterproductive and no longer adds value. </p>
<p>Interesting perspective from someone who’s been there and done that from both sides.</p>
<p>KateLewis,
I want to hear all about your candidate’s impressions/experiences. I know USMA is at the top of the list. Applying to USNA or any other service academies/universities?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Amen.</p>
<p>Frankly, I think the entire system needs to be scrapped and restarted in a new mold. I have a few ideas, but this is not the thread for them and they’re far from complete, anyway.</p>
<p>For one thing, teaching “leadership” to upperclassman by having them howl at defenseless kids for a whole year is hardly what I would call effective or realistic.</p>
<p>Can I pirate this thread to ask a question? Hated to begin a new thread for selfish reasons… 
</p>
<p>In need of some ideas in a bad way. Now that Plebes have some freedoms, where are they going & what are they doing? Zap, what did you do on week-ends away (or should I ask. heh) When you’ve got a Mid so far from home, they tend to want to get off the grounds and go explore. The city is nice but hey, it gets old. Anbody have any cool ideas? My wilderness kid wants to go out hiking this week-end. Short day trips or overnighter ideas are stumping me since I don’t know the areas. I was gonna send him up to Lake Placid but its just too far. I dunno. They have rooms available at Bear Mountain Inn but the problem is, they don’t let 18 year old guests stay without a parent. Must be 21 they said… Hmmmm. This is tough. He just wants to get away and to some peace & quiet. Help?</p>
<p>I know that yours is not at USNA, but mine loves to go the Hilton in Crystal City ($85.00 per night government rate) and then take the metro to the Smithsonian and play in the flight simulator all day. Easy to please!</p>
<p>In my case, I mostly spent time at my sponsor’s house, listening to music, watching TV, eating, and sleeping. Occaisionally we would go out on their boat if the weather was right, or go tobaganing (sp?) down the hill in the yard in the snow.</p>
<p>We weren’t allowed weekends as Plebes back then.</p>
<p>JM- this is an easy one! There are TONS of neat things to see right here on Long Island- and perfect for an overnight get-away~ especially now that the weather is getting nice! </p>
<p>will list my top 5 to get you started!</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Montaulk Point: will take about 2 hours to get there, but well worth the ride! While there, take the 1/2 day whalewatching boatride- and yes, you’ll see lots of them! Honest to God- we had one come up and rub it’s belly on the keel of the boat! If you are in dire need of R&R while you are there, go to Gurney’s Inn and Spa- a little pricy, but you will come out a new man! (or woman!)</p></li>
<li><p>Riverhead: the aquarium is fantastic- and you can rent kayaks and go up and down the potanic waterways- just beautiful- and it empties into montaulk bay- and when you are done with that, there is Tanger Outlet- not just 1 of them, but 2 areas with every store you can possibly imagine! Shop till you drop- and the sales taxes have been dropped for the rest of this year for items under $110!!!</p></li>
<li><p>When the weather gets nice: Fire Island is a MUST!!! Catch a ferry from the south shore (bayshore) and pick from several little towns on fire island- each with their own distinct flavor! No cars allowed- and it is only 4 blocks wide, with the great south bay on one side, and the entire atlantic on the other! Everyone walks around carting their stuff in little red wagons- which you can rent for $1 / day…very casual (shorts, flip flops)- lots and lots of seafood resturants- and you can stay for the day, rent a place for overnight, the weekend, the week or the month! There is no place like it in the world! (ps- watch out for deer- they love to come up to you and steal your picnic right from under you!!)</p></li>
<li><p>Again, when you get some nice beach weather- a trip to the Hamptons is a must too- best beaches anywhere! Will need a day to get out there and back- better when spending overnight (can be pricey, but there are some inexpensive motels from the 1950’s that are clean and reasonable)…if you only have a short time to spend, tell Jamz to head down to Jones Beach (30 minutes from KP)- field 4-5 are the main fields, but if you get there early enough, field 6 is the best!!!</p></li>
<li><p>Sunken Meadow State Park- about a 45 minute drive from KP, there is a beautiful golf course open to the public- and you can’t beat the views of the LI sound and connecticut from most of the holes! If you are tired of golfing, you can stretch out on the beach (but bring shoes- the beaches on the north shore are very rocky and light years away from the soft sand that stretches for over 100 miles on the south shore!!)</p></li>
<li><p>Only a few hours to spend? 20 minutes from KP is Cold Spring Harbor- home of the world-famous CSH Lab and DNA center (located at each end of town- which is only 3 blocks long, so very walkable!) You can take a stroll through the acres of the Cold Spring Harbor Lab, take a hands-on tour of the DNA center (at the far end of town)- or just spend a quiet afternoon at the park or in the shops, or explore the whaling museum (and stop in by me for some chocolate!!) Don’t forget the half-and-halfs at the CSH deli…best thing on LI!!! And there are lots of cute shops- make sure to visit “vineyard vines,” “the beauty tree,” “my favorite place” and “the faded rose”…oh, and don’t overlook the shop with all the latest “Vera Bradley” stuff…if Jamz has a date, the girls love the town for shopping! Picnic in the park along the harbor- it is the most beautiful harbor anywhere!!</p></li>
</ol>
<p>If you are not in the mood to shop but would rather take a short hike, you can follow the hiking trails along rte 108 and St. John’s Pond, up Lawrence Hill Road to the nature conservancy, and then cross the street and continue on the cliff overlooking CSH…beautiful! Want to spend the night? There is a small B&B run by an english couple called the “Swan View Inn” right in town across from the harbor…a throw-back to the motels of old, but nicely kept!</p>
<p>More hiking at Caumset State park- located in Lloyd Neck, just north of CSH…the views of the sound are spectacular- and you can picnic right on the cliffs overlooking the water!</p>
<p>Or from CSH, travel another 5 minutes east on 25A and you hit Huntington- which is a great little town for shopping and walking and lattes and resturants…and on the weekends (which start Thursday night) there are people strolling about till 2am! Fantastic resturants- when you are ready, let me know and I would be happy to recommend a dozen of them!!</p>
<ol>
<li><p>for a total day of fun…“Splish Splash” is about an hour out on the LIE (rte 495) at then end- just as you get to riverhead- a huge waterpark that caters to every age group- and boasts the highest waterslide in the country! (kowabunga)…one of several! As for me, I get a tube and stay on the lazy river all day- just my speed! </p></li>
<li><p>More golf- this time at Eisenhower Park (20 min from KP)- the black course hosted the PGA 2 years ago and will challenge the best of them!</p></li>
<li><p>Malls: Roosevelt Field is the largest- about 20 min from KP and good, especially on a rainy day when you just want to get inside! </p></li>
<li><p>Back to Manhattan- but this time, to South Street Seaport- or take the ferry from the wall street area to the Statue of Liberty (just amazing) or take a different ferry to Ellis Island- it will bring tears to your eyes! Ellis Island has undergone a huge restoration, and it is a piece of history well worth seeing! Catch the ferry’s from the south ferry terminal, located at the south-east tip of Manhattan…and when you get back, go to Chinatown- Peking Duck House- and feast away for little $$$ !!!</p></li>
</ol>
<p>So my top 5 turned into my top 10, but when Jamz exhausts that list, let me know- there is the Hayden Planatarium in Manhattan, the Vanderbuilt museum in Centerport, LI, the NY Botanical Garden and the Bronx Zoo (both free on Wednesday’s) in the bronx- and just a short drive over the throgs neck bridge…and back to Manhattan to the Museums…Modern Art, Guggenhiem, Lincoln center, Rockafeller center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Radio city music hall- and BROADWAY…the shows!!! Phantom!!! The Producers!!! </p>
<p>Then back to Long island- from Orient point, take the ferry over to shelter island- perfect for an overnight get away- or better yet, the ferry to block island…stay the night- rent a bike and explore! You can also catch a ferry to Ct, and from there, another one to Martha’s vineyard or quainter still, Nantucket (my favorites)…plan on a weekend visit for those- and reservations are a must… or get a tent and “rough it” at Heather Hills- just before Montauld Point on the south shore- the campsites are right on the dunes overlooking the ocean! And there is another campground out there on the bay side- will have to research the name of that one for you- but beautiful quite beach, and good kayaking- or have him stop by our house- he can use the Thorpedo’s kayak and explore Cold Spring Harbor and Oyster Bay! During the summer, you can rent a boat for 1/2 day and go wakeboarding- with instructors to boot! The kids out here love it! (can get you more info on any of the above if you need it- just let me know!)…</p>
<p>you will run out of time and money before you ever run out of things to do I’m afraid!!! </p>
<p>oh- coldstones ice cream in Huntington- the Miracle Mile in Manhasset- the Ice shop in Oyster bay- the clam bar in centerport- the outdoor concerts in Hecksher park in Huntington, or the band concerts in Northport- (that is an adorable town too!)…Oheka castle in Cold Spring Hills…the outdoor salt water pools at Jones Beach-Field 5…the BOARDWALK- how could I forget the boardwalk!!! 6 miles of boardwalk at Jones Beach! and West End…the largest fields at Jones Beach (located at the western end)- it’s a good 1/2 mile hike over the sand just to get to the water!!! Fishing boats out of Captree State Park- or out of Oyster Bay- or the Nautical Mile down in Freeport (30 minutes from KP on the south shore)- great resturants, (dare i say) bars, night life…be prepared for crowds during the summer weekends- even the USNA 44’s pull in over the summer! </p>
<p>I am not thinking of tons of other places- but there is lots of stuff on the internet that can steer you to other places…enough to fill in any spare time he gets, promise!!!</p>
<p>oh- and I forgot Robert Moses State Park- the only part of fire island you can drive onto- about 45 min from KP- great beaches- and drive along Ocean Parkway- stop at gilgo beach for great surfing…and on the north shore, Port jefferson…brunch at D…(darn it, can’t remember the name- but you can’t miss it- ???danskers???..anyway, right on the water outside of the ferry terminal…brunch is fantastic!)…port jeff is a cute town too- catch the ferry to New London and visit Boss and the coasties at the USCGA!!! And their tall ship!!!</p>
<p>Sag Harbor- greenport- bellport----great day trips!!!</p>
<p>Oh man…</p>
<p>I think I need a nap!</p>
<p>Jamzmom,</p>
<p>He can visit West Point!</p>
<p>Fire Island? I guess the circumstances and nature of Fire Island has changed a bit over the last 20 to 30 years? At one time–in ancient history–I would not have pictured academy-types as being particularly comfortable there. [Think parts of San Francisco.] Maybe it was just certain areas of the island? It’s a beautiful place otherwise.</p>
<p>My, my! LOL I knew I could count on Navy2010. I think she missed her calling as a travel agent! The list is perfect! I’m passing it on for sure! The Jamz’ sponsor family is my cousin in Tuxedo Park NY & she’s having a house full for Easter so he begged off going there. Jamz has a best buddy from IL he hangs with & they are just both clueless. They keep doing the same old things because I think its gotten easy to follow the same train paths to the same pizza place (Lombardie’s ? spelling) and times square then to the museums, central park, ect. He HAS to wait until I come up to go to Ellis Island. I haven’t been yet & its on my agenda to do this trip. I’ll beat him if he goes without me. </p>
<p>I think they’d love your #1 & #3 choices Navy2010. Right up his alley. I doubt he’d do the spa thing tho. Men! If they only would do the spa thing once, they would know why we women cry to go. Now, its gonna be fun trying to find a place that will house two 18 year old boys… </p>
<p>Yea, MOT, that Bear Mountain is smack dab in the middle of WP land. He sent me the link to their website but I was afraid that he has to leave the academy in uniform & have to fight his way around up there. He wouldn’t take any flack from army. LOL GO NAVY! It is beautiful there & I would think that it puts on a real show during the Fall.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info! I’m gonna go look up websites. FUN!</p>
<p>Parks: beaches, hiking, golf, camping, kayaking, etc…</p>
<p>Caumsett State Park: Lloyd Neck (time from KP: 30 min)
hiking, picnics
<a href=“http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=68[/url]”>http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=68</a></p>
<p>Jones Beach: South shore, LI (time from KP: 30 min)
beach, boardwalk, 9-hole golf
<a href=“http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=46[/url]”>http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=46</a></p>
<p>Ceder Point Park: center of LI (time from KP: 90 minutes)
camping, kayak, calm beach, hiking
Cederhttp://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=126 </p>
<p>Robert Moses State Park: Fire Island (time from KP: 60 minutes)
beach, surfing, picnic
<a href=“http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=45[/url]”>http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=45</a></p>
<p>Hither Hills State Park: Montaulk Point (from from KP: 2 hrs)
beach, camping on dunes, easy access to Montaulk town
<a href=“http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=48[/url]”>http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=48</a></p>
<p>Captree State Park: Suffolk County, LI (south shore) (from KP: 50 minutes / take senic route via Ocean parkway)
fishing excursions, boating
<a href=“http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=151[/url]”>http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=151</a></p>
<p>Montauk Point: Suffolk county, LI (south shore tip) (time from KP: 2.5 hrs)
historical town, resturants, shops, fishing, sailing, charter boats, whalewatching, gurney’s inn and spa, beaches, lighthouse and museum…lots to see…make it at least a weekend visit…
lighthouse: <a href=“http://www.montauklighthouse.com/home.htm[/url]”>http://www.montauklighthouse.com/home.htm</a>
fishing charters: <a href=“http://www.allmontaukflyfishing.com/[/url]”>http://www.allmontaukflyfishing.com/</a>
general info: <a href=“http://www.montaukchamber.com/[/url]”>http://www.montaukchamber.com/</a>
gurney;s inn: <a href=“http://www.gurneys-inn.com/[/url]”>http://www.gurneys-inn.com/</a>
whale watching: <a href=“http://www.webscope.com/li/whale.html[/url]”>http://www.webscope.com/li/whale.html</a>
<strong><em>a fantastic expereince!!!</em></strong></p>
<p>Long Island Lighthouses: each one different! It will take you 4 years of day trips to find and explore them all! Lots of fun! take a picture at each!
<a href=“http://www.longislandlighthouses.com/default.htm[/url]”>http://www.longislandlighthouses.com/default.htm</a></p>
<p>Bike tours: lots of them- here is one site- but you can literally bike around long island! Last from several hours to several days- lots of options!
<a href=“toursbybike.com is registered with Pair Domains”>toursbybike.com is registered with Pair Domains;
<p>Sunken Meadow State Park: Suffolk County, LI (north shore) (fromKP: 60 minutes)
beach, golf, picnic, hiking, horseback riding, wind surfing
<a href=“http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=44[/url]”>http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=44</a></p>
<p>Gilgo Beach: South shore LI (time from KP: 60 min along Ocean Parkway)
best surfing on LI, great beaches
<a href=“http://www.surfline.com/travel/surfmaps/surfspot.cfm?id=242[/url]”>http://www.surfline.com/travel/surfmaps/surfspot.cfm?id=242</a></p>
<p>Splish Splash: Riverhead, LI (middle island) (Time from KP: 90 min)
water park: huge!!!
<a href=“http://www.splishsplashlongisland.com/[/url]”>http://www.splishsplashlongisland.com/</a></p>
<p>Towns/Destinations/Places of Interest</p>
<p>Port Jefferson: suffolk county, LI (north shore) (time from KP: 60 min)
resturants: Danfords (best sunday brunch on the harbor!), botique shopping, ferry service to CT (New London/USCGA)
<a href=“http://www.portjeff.com/[/url]”>http://www.portjeff.com/</a>
Danfords: <a href=“http://www.danfords.com/[/url]”>http://www.danfords.com/</a></p>
<p>Freeport Nautical Mile: Nassau County, LI (south shore) (time from KP: 30 min)
Shops, resturants, charter boats, fishing, parks, night life, summer festival
<a href=“Thenauticalmile.com”>http://www.thenauticalmile.com/</a></p>
<p>Cold Spring Harbor: Nassau/Suffolk county border, LI (north shore) (time from KP: 35 min)
Historical whaling town, CSH Lab, DNA center, Whaling museum, beaches, wakeboarding rentals/instruction, sailing, botique shopping, nature trails, nature conservency, harbor park, Fish hatchery
CSH lab: <a href=“http://www.cshl.edu/[/url]”>http://www.cshl.edu/</a>
Nature Conservancy: <a href=“http://www.nature.org/[/url]”>http://www.nature.org/</a>
DNA learning center: <a href=“http://www.dnalc.org/home.html[/url]”>CSHL DNA Learning Center;
Whaling Museum: <a href=“http://www.cshwhalingmuseum.org/[/url]”>http://www.cshwhalingmuseum.org/</a>
Cold Spring Harbor Town: Main Street <a href=“http://www.mainstreet-csh.org/[/url]”>http://www.mainstreet-csh.org/</a>
*<strong><em>home of the Thorpedo and CSH Seahawks!!! call and visit me!!!</em></strong>***Half and Half’s at the CSH Deli!!! a “must do”!!!</p>
<p>Oyster Bay: Nassau county, LI (north shore) (time from KP: 30 min)
shopping, resturants, beach, park, kayaking, sailing, fishing charters, Annual oyster festival, best itatlian ices on LI
<a href=“http://www.oysterbaytown.com/[/url]”>http://www.oysterbaytown.com/</a></p>
<p>Huntington: Suffolk County, LI (north shore) (time from KP: 40 min)
town, resturants, harbor, night life, fishing, beach, Heckscher park: concers/plays, arts cinema, I-Max theater
<a href=“http://town.huntington.ny.us/[/url]”>http://town.huntington.ny.us/</a>
heckscher park:<br>
<a href=“http://town.huntington.ny.us/town_gallery1.cfm?categoryID=17[/url]”>http://town.huntington.ny.us/town_gallery1.cfm?categoryID=17</a></p>
<p>Northport Village: Suffolk County, LI (North shore) (time from KP: 50min)
Shopping, harbor, resturants, summer concerts in Harborside park
<a href=“http://www.northportny.com/about.php[/url]”>http://www.northportny.com/about.php</a></p>
<p>Vanderbuilt Museum: Centerport, LI (north shore) (time from KP: 40 min)
mansion, museum, planaterium, park, trails, gardens, picnic
<a href=“http://www.vanderbiltmuseum.org/flash.html[/url]”>http://www.vanderbiltmuseum.org/flash.html</a></p>
<p>Oheka Castle: Cold Spring Hills, LI (Suffolk County) (time from KP: 35 min)
you won’t believe this gold coast mansion- home to Otto Kahn- modeled after a French Normandy castle-
spa, tours, gardens, overnight accomodations, various activities (check website)- worth the visit just to see it- and to think it was someone’s home!<br>
<a href=“http://www.oheka.com/[/url]”>http://www.oheka.com/</a></p>
<p>Sag Harbor: Suffolk County, NY (north shore) (Time from KP: 90 min)
historical whaling town, whaling museum, shops, resturants, parks, trails, winery tours- too numerous to mention!<br>
<a href=“http://www.newsday.com/community/guide/lihistory/ny-historytown-hist006c,0,6589760.story[/url]”>http://www.newsday.com/community/guide/lihistory/ny-historytown-hist006c,0,6589760.story</a></p>
<p>Greenport: Suffolk County, LI (North Shore) (Time from KP: 90 min)
historical town, eateries, shops, boating, winery tours, vegatable stands
<a href=“http://www.newsday.com/community/guide/lihistory/ny-historytown-hist006c,0,6589760.story[/url]”>http://www.newsday.com/community/guide/lihistory/ny-historytown-hist006c,0,6589760.story</a></p>
<p>Bellport: Suffolk County, LI (middle island) (time from KP: 90 min)
Historical town, fishing, boating, shops, resturants, golf
<a href=“http://www.bellportvillage.com/[/url]”>http://www.bellportvillage.com/</a></p>
<p>Shelter Island: Suffolk County, LI (middle island) (Time from KP: 90 min)
8,000 acre island in Montaulk bay midway between north and south forks; camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding on the beach, beaches, water activities, boating, fishing…great excursion for day or overnight visit-
<a href=“http://www.shelter-island.org/[/url]”>http://www.shelter-island.org/</a>
ferries. history/ info:<br>
<a href=“http://www.shelter-island.org/history.html[/url]”>http://www.shelter-island.org/history.html</a></p>
<p>Block Island: Block island sound, LI (time from KP: 2.5 hours)
20 miles off shore from Orient or Montaulk point. Stay overnight. Camping, boating, biking (main mode of transportation), hiking, fishing, town, resturants, shopping…very special place to relax and get away from it all! Reach only by ferry (listed on website)
<a href=“http://www.blockisland.com/[/url]”>http://www.blockisland.com/</a></p>
<p>Shopping</p>
<p>Miracle Mile: Manhasset, LI (on rte 25A) (time from KP: 10 minutes)
top end botiques- Tiffany’s to Crate and Barrel- and everything inbetween! Check it out!
<a href=“http://citidexli-shopping.com/4754.htm[/url]”>http://citidexli-shopping.com/4754.htm</a></p>
<p>Tanger Outlet: Riverhead, LI (middle island) (time from KP: 90 min)
shop till you drop- over 170 stores and outlets!
<a href=“LongIsland.com Site Map | Links of LongIsland.com”>LongIsland.com Site Map | Links of LongIsland.com;
<p>Roosevelt Field Mall: Nassau county, LI (time from KP: 20 min)
save for a rainy day!
<a href=“http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=102[/url]”>http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=102</a></p>
<p>Getting There</p>
<p>Long Island Ferries:
From north shore: Pt Jefferson and Orient point
from south shore: Bayshore, montaulk
to: CT, Fire Island, Block Island, Bridgeport CT, New London, Newport (from there: ferries to Martha’s vineyard, nantucket, etc…)
<a href=“http://www.longislandinfo.com/travel/ferry.html[/url]”>LongIsland.com Site Map | Links of LongIsland.com;
<p>Fire Island Ferries: (from south shore)
<a href=“http://www.fireislandferries.com/[/url]”>http://www.fireislandferries.com/</a></p>
<p>Bill0510- you are too funny!</p>
<p>robert moses state park and beach are safe (by that, i mean “straight”)…although if you walk east from the easternmost parking lot beach, out of the official park area, there are still nude beaches…some “straight,” some “gay”… (and just how did you know about those??? 
) But Robert Moses park is absolutely a family oriented place! (just watch the undertoe there- it can get bad if the water is rough)…some areas are now set aside for surfers only…and fishing…</p>
<p>The “non-straight” towns…ocean beach…on fire island (this part only reachable by ferry)…anyway, there are still some large gay communities- but even those have become very “mixed”…and “laid-back cosmopolitan”…but no nude beaches- (unless you want a fine and an overnight stay in the poker)…and fire island has become a great family place- you can water taxi from town to town…not too expensive- or rent a bike and do it that way (no cars)…each little hamlet has it’s own flavor- and you can rent a small place within walking distance to the beach for a night, weekend, week, month, season… even going there for just a day visit is fantastic…</p>
<p>Part 2:</p>
<p>The Hamptons: Suffolk county, south fork (time from KP: 2 hrs)
beaches, shopping, mansions, the rich and the famous
spend the weekend…
<a href=“http://www.hamptons.com/[/url]”>Home - Hamptons.com;
<p>LI winery tours: too many to list! here are a few!
<a href=“http://www.lieast.com/liwine.html[/url]”>http://www.lieast.com/liwine.html</a></p>
<p>Riverhead aquarium: Riverhead, LI (time from KP: 90 min)
feed the sharks- these are not the small ones either!
<a href=“http://www.atlantismarineworld.com/[/url]”>http://www.atlantismarineworld.com/</a></p>
<p>In the Bronx:</p>
<p>NY Botanical Garden: Bronx, NY (time from KP: 25 min)
gardens, exhibits, museum, trails, running, hiking, picnics…an oasis in the Bronx!
free on wednesdays
<a href=“http://www.nybg.org/[/url]”>http://www.nybg.org/</a></p>
<p>Bronx Zoo: across the street from the NY Botanical Garden
free on Wednesdays
best time to visit: in about 2 weeks, when the new “spring babies” go on view for the first time!
<a href=“http://www.bronxzoo.com/[/url]”>http://www.bronxzoo.com/</a></p>
<p>Via Manhattan:</p>
<p>Ellis Island (ferry from South terminal, manhattan) time from KP: 90 min
not to be missed! bring a camera!!
<a href=“http://www.nps.gov/elis/[/url]”>http://www.nps.gov/elis/</a>
<a href=“http://www.ellisisland.com/[/url]”>http://www.ellisisland.com/</a>
find an immigrant ancestor: <a href=“http://www.ellisisland.org/[/url]”>http://www.ellisisland.org/</a></p>
<p>Liberty Island: (same as above)
<a href=“http://www.nps.gov/stli/[/url]”>http://www.nps.gov/stli/</a></p>
<p>Circle line tours: leave from manhattan, and see the island like you never have before! (2 hours- to all day tours)
<a href=“http://www.circleline42.com/[/url]”>http://www.circleline42.com/</a></p>
<p>Spirit Dinner Cruise: wonderful way to spend a special evening over dinner! and the views can’t be beat! coctails on the deck!
<a href=“http://www.365tickets.com/attractions.cfm/attractId/585[/url]”>http://www.365tickets.com/attractions.cfm/attractId/585</a></p>
<p>South Street Seaport: manhattan (time from KP: 40 min)
museum, shops, resturants, cruises
<a href=“http://www.southstseaport.org/[/url]”>http://www.southstseaport.org/</a>
<a href=“http://www.southstreetseaport.com/html/[/url]”>http://www.southstreetseaport.com/html/</a></p>
<p>Off the beaten path: God’s gifts to Man!</p>
<p>Martha’s Vineyard: Long Island Sound (ferry from Oreint point to Newport, RI, then ferry to the vineyard) (time from KP: 4 hrs)
make a weekend out of this one! reservations a must!
<a href=“http://www.mvy.com/[/url]”>http://www.mvy.com/</a></p>
<p>Nantucket Island: Long Island Sound (ferry from Orient point to Newport RI, then ferry to Nantucket) (Time from KP: 4.5 hrs)
this is my favorite place on earth! Gods gift to mankind!
escape everything!
make it at least a weekend visit- you will never want to leave!
that is a promise!
<a href=“http://www.nantucketchamber.org/[/url]”>http://www.nantucketchamber.org/</a></p>
<p>In Manhattan:</p>
<p>Haden Planatarium
MOMA
Guggenhiem
Lincoln Center
Rockafeller center
radio city *** go and see at least one show here!
Broadway ***take advantage of 2-fer’s</p>
<p>Now that should keep Jamz and his buddies busy for at least his 3 years on dry land!!!</p>
<p>Have fun!!!</p>
<p>HA! HA! HA! I’m telling ya! This is the place to network baby! I’ve sent all this stuff to him and as soon as classes end today, that phone is gonna ring. He’ll be so excited. Navy2010, I owe ya! You just did my entire job for me. Hey, if you ever think of changing professions, just let me know. I need someone just like you here at the mansion. I’m saving this list for us as well so I’ll never have to look stuff up ever again. The fun these guys can have is amazing now that they have this written imagination to follow!! THANKS!!</p>
<p>“I LOVE NY”! LOL </p>
<p>Bill, thanks for watching my back. Would have hated to have sent him someplace he would never want to be in a white uniform. Y - M - C - A! LOL</p>
<p>Jamzmom: I think your son, and other young men of character, should consider participating in the local “Big Brothers” or its equivalent. The program works great for individuals willing to share some of their spare time on the weekends. </p>
<p>There are way too many boys that lack any positive male role models in their lives. I have found that young men in uniform have almost instant credibility with boys and can influence them in ways older men can’t. It’s incredible how spending time with boys and sharing their experiences at the academies can plant seeds in their young minds that germinate later and change their lives. </p>
<p>From your description of James, he would make a great big brother.</p>
<p>Hope everyone has a blessed Easter holiday.</p>
<p>If you only knew . . . okay, just a bit of sharing of the past.</p>
<p>In a previous life, while assigned to the Manhattan office of a large, nameless, governmental agency, I was assigned to locate an individual wanted for various reasons best left unstated. This individual was known to be [guess we can’t say in this day and age what we said back then] a person that lived an alternative lifestyle. My partner and I [I say that strictly in the professional sense] had information that led us to certain entertainment facilities and locations that individuals of his bent [so to speak] frequented. [Especially hilarious when you consider that my partner was a good-looking Italian sort of fellow and I, in my prime, was said to look something like Poncharello on Chips.] </p>
<p>Now that I have completely dated myself . . . being young, foolish, on the government payroll, and looking to explore New York [remember I am from Texas], we ended up out on Fire Island one weekend. </p>
<p>Needless to say, it was an EYE OPENER. Especially considering the times [I was such a rube, I wasn’t even sure what Bagel was; on the other hand, NYers weren’t too sure what a tamale was.] We did eventually find the guy with his postal-worker “friend.”</p>
<p>Just to be clear . . . .that would be the substantially thinner Poncharello.</p>
<p>Now, what exactly did I start this thread to discuss . . .</p>