Orchard Beach, 8/20/2005

Spatters of rain fell at 2 p.m. as we waited for participants to show up at the #6 Pelham Bay subway stop, but by the time eight of us drove in different cars to Orchard Beach, the weather turned humid, cloudy and warm. Most of us hiked north to an estuary I call the "Kingdom of the Crabs" and sat without moving on rocks. Slowly, 1/2- to 1-inch fiddler crabs emerged from holes in the mud and scuttled around eating crabby food, having crabby spats, and, presumably, thinking sideways thoughts. If anyone moved or approached, the earth would seem to move as they all scurried--sideways--back into their holes. We walked to the northernmost part of the park and sat on a rocky promontory looking at islands to the east and Westchester to the north.

Since park attendance was light due to cloudy/iffy weather, the Latin deejay who usually spins for devoted dancers near the handball courts was not there. Most of us did not swim, as a lifeguard told us that City Island restaurants now discharge their waste into Long Island Sound and the water is now filthy. The water was dirtier than I remember, with chicken bones and plastic wrappers all too evident. I plan to contact my congressman about this outrage.

Six of us went to City Island for dinner. We were so busy enjoying our food and each others’ company that we forgot to chastise the restaurant for allegedly discharging its waste and spoiling the swimming. Afterward, Terry led us to a waterside park where we watched the orange moon try to peek through the clouds. We enjoyed the warm August night and stopped for ice cream before heading home.

Sarah