Summering with Gatsby

Photo by myself at the Ram's End Inn, on Shelter Island.

A long table with place settings was prepared for a civilized luncheon.

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Over the weekend, Mark and I went to a party thrown by one of his work associates, in celebration of her tenth wedding anniversary.

The theme was 'The Great Gatsby', and the setting was gorgeous. If you remember the book, Gatsby was set in West Egg, a fictional wealthy summer playground for New Yorkers. Guests were encouraged to come in 1920's garb.

The party was held at The Ram's Head Inn which looks like a large, old cottage, nestled among lawns, gardens and tennis courts. The Inn is located on Shelter Island, a small island off the northern part of Long Island. To get there by car, we had to board a car ferry.

Mark and I were overwhelmed by the drive up - there are wineries, farms and pretty shingle style summer houses. Long winding roads were shaded by trees, and at times you could see the glimmer of the ocean through the greenery.



With the heat and humidity, Mark and I motored along with the windows down most of the time, until it became absolutely unbearable. What struck us the most was that there was no 'scene'. There was no swarm of fashionable people, just peaceful quiet and the unmistakable smell of flowers. We were in the country, and it was beautiful.

I must have gotten carried away with the sangria and chit chat - almost none of my photos show people, and many were blurry. I was woefully underdressed, not having given much thought to the occasion. Some of the women wore nice dresses, a couple sporting hats. One fella wore a seersucker suit (!).

In the end, I had a good time. After lunch, many of us drove to a nearby beach to wade and lie about. Both Mark and I were so naturally tired at the end of the day, we stumbled back to our motel and slept deeply.

Sunday morning, we got up to motor around and admire all the beautiful houses. Then we bought some delicious fresh produce and a homemade blueberry pie at a farmhouse stand, and made the long, hot, drive back to the city.



Day trips are easily accessible destinations just outside the five boroughs of New York City.

Related posts: Life's a Beach, Mission Suspended and Giving Thanks.