Summer may be a fading memory, but autumn is one of the best times to plan a trip “out east”.  The Ram’s Head Inn on Shelter Island was very accommodating in allowing my wife Laurie to reserve a room for mid-October when we had to cancel our September booking.  A week before we were due to arrive, the staff at the Inn called to ask if we would consider staying at their sister inn, The Chequit, since we were the only people booked at the Ram’s Head for that Sunday night.

October 16 was a sunny day; the temperature was in the 60’s.  We left early and visited the Morton National Wildlife Preserve on our way to the South Ferry.  To get to Shelter Island we took Noyac Road east to Noyac Long Beach Road, to Route 114, then north to the South Ferry.  The entrance to the refuge is located on Noyac Road between Deerfield and Millstone Roads, directly across from the Noyac Golf Club.  It was a perfect day, yet there were only a few other people at the refuge.  We fed the chickadees by hand, being careful not to drop any seed on the trail so as not to overfeed the birds or attract rats.  We walked to the beach, and because the fences to protect the piping plovers have been removed, we were able to walk along Peconic Bay up Jessup Neck.  When we saw Shelter Island across the bay we decided to head for the ferry.  There was no ferry line, and in a few minutes we were on Shelter Island.  There was virtually no traffic on Shelter Island, and anyone on the road was courteous and driving at a mellow 35 MPH.  On our way to the hotel, we took a drive down several roads and were rewarded with beautiful water views. 

When we arrived at the Chequit, the lobby was empty and a friendly, helpful fellow named Eric greeted us.  We made reservations for dinner and spent a relaxing hour in our room.  When we came downstairs to the dining room, there was one other couple there and Eric served as our waiter.  The food and service was excellent.  We slept late the next morning but managed to get downstairs with enough time to enjoy a breakfast of muffins, cereal, and hard-boiled eggs.  Again, there was only one other couple in the dining area.  Well-fortified, we headed for the beach.  I was going for a swim; my wife would walk the beach.  Eric had given me an excellent complementary map and brochure produced by the Shelter Island Chamber of Commerce and circled “Upper Beach” for me.  Visit www.shelter-island.net to order the map and to get information about visiting Shelter Island.  Upper Beach, or as Eric described it, “Hay Beach” is on the northern part of the island, at the end of Menhadden Lane.  The shoreline is amazingly undisturbed.  The view of Gardiner’s Bay is incredible.  You can see the Orient Point lighthouse to the northeast and several small verdant islands to the southeast.  An osprey who had not yet headed south, was circling overhead; a loon came quite close to watch while I swam.

We got back on Route 114 and headed south to the Nature Conservancy’s Mashomack Preserve.  The parking lot was empty except for staff vehicles.  There was a sign-in book and a suggested donation of $2 per visitor.  We were greeted by Cindy at the Visitor’s Center where we picked up the complimentary guide map and brochures.  Before setting out to walk, we utilized the environmentally-friendly restroom facilities.  The map is well done, and the trails are easy to follow.  Near the Visitor’s Center there is a 1-mile wheelchair and stroller-friendly trail. There are many interpretive signs along the trails. This area of 2,100 acres is an unspoiled place; it is easy to spend an entire day walking the trails.  From a viewing gazebo along the trail, we saw two as yet to migrate great egrets, flying over Miss Annie’s Creek. There are three consecutive loops; 1.5 miles, 3 miles, or 11 miles.

We decided to head back on the ferry to Greenport taking the North Fork up-island to visit a vineyard on the way home. During fall weekends the North Fork is crowded but this was Monday.  Pindar Winery was quiet and we had the restaurant where we stopped to eat, to ourselves.

We experienced the best that the East End has to offer without the crowds.  Get out and enjoy this “off” season!