Gardiner’s Bay: A Forever Jewel

For 21 continuous years I have sailed Gardiner’s Bay an average of at least three times a week. I don’t do weekends, I like the bay to myself. Even though I no longer live in East Hampton I still sail in Gardiner’s. I trek from East Patchogue to my 22’ Catalina docked in the same slip still all these years in East Hampton Marina off Boatyard Road off 3-Mile Harbor Road.

Technically I don’t drive to the Hamptons, I drive to Gardiner’s Bay. I had the honor of being fortunate enough to witness two decades of high quality sunsets over Gardiner’s Bay. Most folks were/are too busy to spend so much time on the bay but as the famous Himalayan climber Aid Burgess often said , there is a life of leisure on both ends of the economic spectrum.

The 2024 season for me to safely sail is coming to a close. Mostly because of Daylight Savings making the daily sunset before 5pm and of course also from colder weather and nasty winds from the north.

When I am sailing in Gardiner’s Bay I feel many wonderful things. I see the wide open space a mighty bay presents to one’s eye. Strangely enough the Great South Bay is mere steps from my front door but Gardiner’s Bay 45 miles from that front door owns me.

I arrived out east like so many others looking for a new way of life. Never desiring to be a local but a respectful guest I learned a lot from those who really are the heart and soul of the east end. I have spent over two decades helping often by writing what I can when I can.

I have lived to write since I founded the Siwanoy Scope news sheet at Boy Scout Camp when I was 12. During my first decade out east I supported myself by writing about the good things of the east end. The main stream press never truly accepted my unconventional sloppy style but could never question my honest passion.

However it is my ultimate passion of setting up my sails in Gardiner’s Bay that has fueled my imagination to write some wonderful stories about the extraordinary folks who live all year round on the east end.

I moved up-island when I fell in love and married a pure 100% Long Island Girl. It has been her love, patience and understanding that allows me to sail as much as I do.

As I am now into my seventies the sailing is a touch more challenging especially when I am out there solo (56 times so far 2024.)Luckily I had a competent fellow on board when my Gallbladder pain exploded last year the Sunday before Labor Day.

That experience only enhances the special feeling and honor I do feel when I leave 3 Mile Harbor and enter Gardiner’s Bay. I want to thank all the east end folks of all the east end villages that touch Gardiner’s Bay for protecting it and keeping it pristine clean and beautiful.