Where They Go By Water

My working theory is that adults need field trips too. We need them to keep us wide eyed and creatively inspired; to spark that deep sense of wonder around what an amazing world we live in.

(Even when it can seem a bit crazy from time to time...)

I temporarily abandoned NYC office building life with power points, calls and long meetings and went on my first field trip for work, visiting our chapter in the East End of Long Island yesterday,with an educational tour of where we work.
Atlantic Double Dunes Preserve - East Hampton.

Montauk.

And then a ferry ride to Shelter Island, a place I'd never been, but always knew in my heart I would love.

We stayed overnight at the Manor House, build in 1890, located on the grounds of Mashomack Preserve. Mashomack is an amazing 2,039 acre nature preserve that's a third of the entire island with tidal creeks, mature oak woodlands, fields, freshwater marshes and home to many plant and animal species.

We spotted two rather chubby racoons crossing the road last night as we were driving in, ospray and a family of deer today and heard lots of critters last night as we slept.
This is my colleague Adrienne and Mike who runs Mashomack, and toured us around the preserve in the front of his pick up truck. Mike has been living on the preserve for 31 years. As you can imagine, he has some good stories!


Shelter Island was established in the 1600's and originally inhabited by the Manhansets, Native Americans who were part of the wide-spread Algonquin culture. It's located between the North and South Fork of Long Island, and is surrounded by Shelter Island Sound and Gardiners Bay.

It's only 100 miles from New York City, but feels a world away.





Mashomack means "Where they go by water."
It is a very special place.