soundview

we were barely out of the midtown tunnel when ione decided she has had enough. “daddy, i want to get out,” she declared.

good thing daphne and i had anticipated this, albeit closer to the end of our drive than the beginning. like well-drilled commandos, we immediately launched into our pacification routine – a mix of facts and improvised distractions.

“you can’t get out now because we’re driving…would you like mommy to tickle your legs?”

“i want to get out…now,” she said, clearly unimpressed and more irritated.

needless to say, attempts at reasoning with a teary 2 year-old quickly degenerated into straight bribery (“wanna cookie?”). then came the sobbing. i know as parents we’re hardwired to feel like shit when we hear it, but that didn’t make it any less of a relief when she finally whimpered and nodded off.

in all my years in new york, i have never been out on the island further than kings park, and i was there only because of family. not to take anything away from my peeps, but going out to long island just never seemed like a priority. but as the l.i.e. splinters into county roads and subdivisions scatter into small towns and large vineyards, i started to enjoy myself and almost forgot we’re only an hour plus from our midtown crib.

but napa valley it wasn’t. on a milk run to a 7-11, we were surprised that both customers and clerks looked straight outta midwest. with all the greasy tank tops, torn jeans, starchy caps and six packs around us, we might as well have been at one of them quicktrips prying the sides of interstate 70 just outside of kansas city. of course, as soon as they opened their mouth, you know they’ve never been further west than hoboken.

the soundview inn sits just outside of greenport on route 48. it looks and feels like an old skool roadside motel: the rooms are dull but functional, you hear the traffic constantly, and the office is a trailer sitting on cinder blocks jutting into the parking lot. nothing to write home about except the rooms are literally on the beach, 10 ft from the water. looking out of the patio window, all you see is the blue of long island sound.

“nice place to veg for a couple of days,” i thought, before taking ione for her first taste of sand and surf.

Posted by cellpharmer at June 17, 2007 05:57 PM