Shelter Island seems more beautiful with every trip. The weather was clear and sunny and hot; Nicky and I went to the beach, played with the babies, went to the beach, watched a movie, went to the beach, went exploring at the docks, went exploring through Greenport. The stinging sunburn on my back feels good, serving as a reminder of the hours sunbathing, picking out rocks and splashing around in the ocean. The fact that Nicky came too simply made the whole trip a hundred times better. I didn't miss music, I didn't miss my phone or the internet. I was so happy to be with people I love in such a perfect place. I felt like I didn't need anything.
The moment we came back to eastern Long Island on the ferry, past the docks and past the cozy town of Greenport, with its low-story townhouse shops and restaurants, was the moment I decided that I will live in a sea-faring town. Greenport seems most likely so far.
Another perfect weekend on Shelter Island; a last taste of this summer before classes start on Tuesday. The wait for the bus ride back to filthy loud Manhattan was perhaps the most depressing 15 minutes of my life. The sunlight made the ocean glitter between the surrounding green trees and fields and docks full of sail boats and short strips of sand. I can't find the words to accurately describe the grief over summer other than this heavy dread and ache in my chest; I feel like something has died. Of course, I say this only after enjoying such a wonderful summer, and I appreciated every day of these past three months.
There's no choice but to get back into school and New York City. I'm sure most people can relate. Hopefully the year will go by smoothly and quickly so next summer may be as incredible as this one. Best wishes to everyone for this year. I raise a glass to that.
