Photo tour of Fire Island's towns (Brookhaven, Islip: house, school, living)

[Johninwestbury]

*"great shapes" refer to the shapes of the pitch pine
Fire Island is almost like a resort, small towns that dont see much if any traffic. Boardwalks and small roads. Vehicles aren't allowed here much during the summer. Most people either walk or ride bikes.
The towns and homes are small, but cozy. In this section I will show you the towns on the main part of Fire Island, from Ocean Beach on west to Kismet.
Kismet is closest to the lighthouse and Robert Moses State Park. I like the laid back atmosphere of this town and feel quite comfortable here.
Also there are numerous Pitch Pines lining the roads, another plus!




The beach is never far away.


Heading east the next town one approaches is Saltaire, another nice, cozy laid back Fire Island village.






The Bay side is also quite scenic.






The main road through town.


A boardwalks that run through the village.


Heading further east you approach Fair Harbor, there aint much here, not even a paved road (only sand roads).









Before we reach the "capitol" of Fire Island we pass through a small area known as Atlantique. Some nice "shapes" can be found here.








A marsh...


Now we enter the Village of Ocean Beach. This is the busiest part of Fire Island. Signs announce that you are entering Ocean Beach Village. Ocean Beach is notorious for it's strict rules. They ticket people for eating or drinking on the beach and outside the commercial area of the town. Also I believe you are NOT allowed to ride your bike through here in summer, which is pretty outlandish since most ppl on F.I. ride their bikes ALOT. You definately need to be on your "best behavior" in this village. It could be said you'll see just as many cops here as visitors! This is definately the "East Hills" of Fire Island and thus my least favroite part of it. Busy, ritzy, snobby.

Some nice scenes are still present, just be sure not to take photos of the O.B.P.D. or you might get beaten.




Heading to the beach there is a nice view. Again make sure you discarded any food or drink!


The beach. Sanitized for your safety.






Heading east out of this rather pretentous community things get relaxed again (the way they should be!).
As we cross into Ocean Bay Park we leave Islip township and into Brookhaven township, the same township that encompasses much of the pine barrens. It's as big as Nassau county!
Pitch pine again makes an appearance.


The walks along the narrow streets are quiet and peaceful.


The view of the beach is quite nice!




Further east before we get to the Sunken Forest area is a community known as Point "O" Woods. Unfortunately it is often closed off to the public and you must walk along the beach to travel beyond. Technically, you're not supposed to walk through there. However off season, the gates are open and I did walk through without any problems. It is a shame because there are alot of stunted pitch pines here among the widely spaced homes.

[Georgie713]

Great Pix. One of my favorite places to go was Fire Island. I love the quaintness of it all. It is beautiful. Loved the beaches. The very first time I went to Cherry Grove, boy that was in the mid-late70's, and I saw my very first nudist, (a black man jogging along the shore naked!sorry, but that was shocking than). I went back to Cherry Grove a 2nd time, and realized it was highly populated with gays. I did go back again, because it is so beautiful there, but as time went on the guys preferred going to Ocean Beach. Wow, how I loved it there, and always dreamed of living there and being a beach bum! Thanks for the walk down memory lane.

[ClarkStreetKid]

Thanks for posting those John, it brings back great memories of one of my top two favorite things about the Island. An average summer Saturday was 7AM hit field 5 to avoid the parking fee, 10:30 start the hike to the lighthouse (before it was a museum), 11:00 head into Kismet for lunch and to walk around the two towns.

Thanks once again.

[TheTruth08]

Fire Island looks like it has to be one of the best parts of Long Island. Never been there though, do they even have a school there?

And it seems like you have a thing for pines.

[rocafeller05]

Quick question Clark....When you would park at field 5 and walk to Kismet and the other Fire Island towns, where do you walk? Is there a board walk, a path, or do you hike the beach?

Originally Posted by ClarkStreetKid

Thanks for posting those John, it brings back great memories of one of my top two favorite things about the Island. An average summer Saturday was 7AM hit field 5 to avoid the parking fee, 10:30 start the hike to the lighthouse (before it was a museum), 11:00 head into Kismet for lunch and to walk around the two towns.

Thanks once again.

[Johninwestbury]

Originally Posted by Tymel

Fire Island looks like it has to be one of the best parts of Long Island. Never been there though, do they even have a school there?

And it seems like you have a thing for pines.

I think most kids go to the mainland for school. I do have a thing for pitch pines, thats why I like the pine barrens so much!

[ClarkStreetKid]

Originally Posted by rocafeller05

Quick question Clark....When you would park at field 5 and walk to Kismet and the other Fire Island towns, where do you walk? Is there a board walk, a path, or do you hike the beach?

Hiked the beach down by the shore line where it was cool and firm footing. There weren't any board walks even by the light house back then.

[nancy thereader]

I'd love to live there year round. It is just ten minutes, but a world away. I know it would be lonely, but it is just so serene and beautiful . If only...

[AlexisT]

Originally Posted by Johninwestbury

I think most kids go to the mainland for school. I do have a thing for pitch pines, thats why I like the pine barrens so much!

There's a school up to grade 6, after that they go to the mainland (Bay Shore, I think). Most of the year rounders live in Ocean Beach. The bus actually goes along the beach and then through to Robert Moses and over the bridge.

great photos, by the way! I'm back in LI next month and I can't wait to be back at the beach.