
Eastern Long Island, New York. A little village called Montauk. “The End”, according to locals; drive to the tip of the peninsula, walk a few steps and you’re in the Atlantic Ocean. Can’t get much more east than that!
We first drove to Montauk in 1984 to a no-frills family motel right on the beach overlooking the ocean. “Let’s go out for a weekend. If we don’t like it, we won’t go back.” Famous last words.
It was paradise.
Step outside the sliding back door of the motel room and your toes disappear into the sand. Big pool full of sunburned people having the time of their lives. Huge towels and colorful umbrellas along the shore, saltwater mist sprayed by the balmy breeze, a dog running with a Frisbee in its mouth.
There was a pizza place and an ice cream joint constantly busy. Seemed like all the kids had sun-streaked blonde hair and bronze tans, feet perpetually covered in sand, happy as clams.
Drive five minutes west on ‘the stretch’ between Montauk and Amagansett to a place known simply as ‘LUNCH’ for a mouth-watering lobster roll or a platter of fried puffers and chips. Best meal ever.
At night little fires dotted the beach, kindling glowed and crackled. Kids pierced marshmallows with long sticks and stuck them in the flames for a gooey sweet treat you won’t eat again till the next summer.
That weekend trip in ’84 turned into 37 years of vacations, each one longer that the one before it. It’s been a couple of years since we’ve been able to get out to “The End” but we’ll be back.
It was paradise.

NAR © 2021
Sounds like a nice place to visit! Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you! It’s a lovely, totally relaxing atmosphere … just what we all need right about now!
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I have so many great memories in Montauk. Such a special place. Wonderful read.❤️
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How great to know you’ve been there, too. We love it and miss it so much. Our grand kids love going fishing with my husband but we just couldn’t take a chance going anywhere last summer or even this summer. Hopefully next year we can introduce our newest granddaughter to The End!
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Sounds great.I used to go often on weekends when I lived in NY but after moving to NC 11 years ago, my husband and I have not visited.I truly miss it and am looking forward to seeing the lighthouse again.💕
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Lovely description.
I suspect that you’ll go back to The End, in the end. 🙂
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Thank you so much! Yes, it’s calling to us. I hope next summer will mark our return.
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