Last week I saw a friend of mine down at the Fair Harbor dock. He and his family have owned a house in Fair Harbor for years. He had been here for a week and was heading back to his real home in California. He is a fisherman with a flat bottomed boat which allows him to go almost anywhere he wants to fish, clam and crab. Best described as a bay rat, my friend rarely if ever, goes to the beach here. He is fair skinned, and does not relish the sand and feel of the sun baking his skin. How odd, I thought, not to go to the beach. Perhaps there are many more summer residents who never really go to the beach. I undertook an informal survey to determine how my neighbors and friends spend their time here on Fire Island having fun. They have many different ways to spend their time and this is what they do.

Almost everyone reported that they undertook some form of recreation almost every day. People are walking or running at all hours of the day and night. This is not a surprise to me since I live on the major east-west thoroughfare on the west end and see and hear the masses moving through. Tennis players are naturally drawn to Saltaire, where I live, so there is a lot of tennis playing going on. Junior tennis, mixed doubles, women’s and men’s games go on all day every day. There is also a very active tennis group in Kismet.

Yoga and exercise classes are also popular activities. Lots of re-creating going on. But I expected all of this because this is what I see.

The more interesting activities are the ones I did not know about. Ever go crabbing? All you need is a string, chicken giblets and a net. Head down to your local dock. Tie the giblet to the string, and throw it in to the bay. The string needs to be long enough to allow the giblet to rest on the bottom of the bay. Here is where the art of crabbing comes in and the fun. When you feel the critter nibbling on the bait, slowly bring the bait in until the catch is within reach. Get the net ready for the scoop. It is great fun to land the crab and almost as much fun to lose it.

How many other Fire Island communities have you visited? Take a walk, go by lateral ferry or take a water taxi and go beyond your own borders. My friends and I went to the Pines last week, to visit my brother and for an evening of Bingo. There is no more beautiful community anywhere, not just on Fire Island. It required effort to plan this outing, but to walk through this gorgeous town, see the gardens and then to have an inexpensive evening of entertainment, it was so worth it.

Here are some other things to do on Fire Island. Undertake at least two or three this summer. You will be glad you did.

•Go Boogey Boarding. Borrow a board if you do not have one. Anyone can do it. Fins make it easier to get around but they are not required. Ride a wave!

• Go Clamming. You will need a buddy, a rake and a bucket to hold the crabs. It is best to wear protective footwear too. Clamming is best done on a hot August day.

•Start a Beach Glass collection. I have been collecting beach glass since I arrived on Fire Island ten years ago. I keep my collection sorted in antique ball glass jars. Although many of the pieces I have collected are small, like anything else, over time, they add up. This collection of beach glass is one of the things I would take with me in the event of a Fire Island evacuation, that is how much I treasure it. My daughter and I share many happy memories walking the beach looking for glass.

•Go sailing or take a sailing lesson. Enthusiasts are in every community. Make some inquiries about finding a boat or a teacher. You will be glad you did.

•Take the time to sit and have coffee with a neighbor who you have seen for years, but never stopped to talk to. Do you know your neighbors? Four years ago we began a tradition on my walk when we started the Annual Anchor Walk Block party. We have fifteen houses on the block but did not know each other. This yearly gathering is the excuse we needed to become familiar. Now, I can say, that if I needed the proverbial cup of sugar, I could go comfortably to any of them, and borrow what I needed. I hope my neighbors feel the same way.

•Go Kayaking. Wait until the wind is calm, borrow a kayak if you do not have one and venture out into the Bay. Kayaking is quite wonderful because you are literally sitting on top of the water. You can visit the small islands which dot the bay if you need a destination. I would not venture out on the weekends, however, because there is too much traffic. Weekdays are best.

•Forage for all things edible. Blueberry season is almost upon us. So is the local blackberry crop. Make a pie, muffins or pancakes. If you have children, this is a summer experience that will foster life time memories.

•Visit the Lighthouse. This iconic structure is something that everyone on Fire Island should see and know about. Take a light snack with you or stop at Kismet on your return trip for a cool drink and lunch.
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