I went to Jones Beach today

[petep9000]

From time to time Jones Beach pops up in one thread or another here, always because it is a stop for Stevie when she does a summer 'shed' tour. Now, because of it's greatly increased size, it is also a stop for FM. (well, come to think of it, BTM-era stopped here too)

I usually butt in with my .02, but today I went there only after a lonnng time absence. I was visiting my mom who lives on the island, and decided to head due south until I reached Jones. As today was the first day of 'Spring Ahead', it was a longer day of sun and oh it was just gloriously sunny. All day, until about 7pm. Fantastic, and this always helps my mood issues clear up until the next winter. Oh, well it was cold. But, sunny.

Unfortunately, when I went to snap pics with my digital cam the message on the little screen read "Please insert memory stick". (Note to self: keep spare memory stick in glove box).
I took pics with my phone. Arrgh. I wanted you all to see how stark and beautiful the Atlantic ocean is up here in winter...these silly phone pics do it no justice at all. Sigh.

This is the edge of the parking area, where you can simply walk out onto the soft white sand (not pebbles, not rocks, but fine white quartz sand) to the water.



This is the picnic area right on the ocean. High tides and rain have filled it in with water so right now it looks like a little pond and the seagulls are feasting on something. In summer, this is a very festive area with people grilling food. For some reason, this picnic area attracts a large Latino contingent. In summer, they have salsa playing and kites flying...and the foods are just heavenly smelling. Much more interesting than burgers and dogs. Their parties last well into the evening. This is also the prime kite-flying zone year-round. God, I love this beach.



This pic is junky. I took it from my MOVING car on the Ocean Parkway. The ocean was on my left, and Zach's Bay is on the right...in the distance you can see the Jones Beach Theater. Yes, the theater is actually on the bay side, but from those high grandstand seats you can the boats coming in. At night, when the boats have their lights on, and the ocean breeze comes in, and Stevie is singing 'Still of The Night'...well it's just goosebumps, I tell ya.