2 Geeks @ 3 Knots

Alex’s new hat. A self-described “visibility freak,” Alex jumped on this one from American Science & Surplus, a terrific Willy-Wonka-geek-supply-candy-store recommended by our kayaking pal (and toymaker) Gary. In fact, we ordered 6 of them. So folks/boaters all around the Sound can see us and know who we are (but pretend they don’t!).
The hat’s maiden voyage was a calm Sound crossing on Sunday, June 16—Fathers’ Day—from Larchmont to Port Washington, 3.3 NM away on Long Island’s North Shore.
Jim (above) deemed the hat “MEN AT WORK.” But you gotta admit, it works as advertised… 
Calmest crossing ever. We landed on the beach at 40 52.088 N  73 42.55 W to stretch our legs. Our kayaks were vibrant against the sand and sky.

A few feet away, honeybees “pulsated with vigor and energy.” Eureka! A treehouse! Jim and Alex climb up, going from MEN AT WORK to MEN AT PLAY. The hat is vibrant as ever.

We resolve to pack a picnic someday and return. Back in our boats, we paddled a short distance SE to a park we’d heard of but never seen. Eureka again! A very different kind of house…this one built by Howard Gould originally, later becoming the home of Daniel and Florence Guggenheim in 1917. Hempstead House at Sands Point Preserve: An example of the vibrant extravagance of The Great Gatsby-esque, 1920s Gold Coast lifestyle.