May 6, 2018 - Tanya is Riding in Five Boro Bike Tour and Elisa Recaps Port Jefferson Day Trip

Tanya's Daily Scoop​​
Covering the West Coast & the World
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN:  NEW YORK, NY

Riding in Five Boro Bike Tour Today

Hiya Folks.

GREETINGS from NYC!

As you know, we got in at around 7am yesterday morning and from that point forward until about 12:30a we were out and about and just going non-stop. I think I nearly killed poor Dave :(

But anyhow we had a GREAT day and yes I took pictures to share - maybe not quite as many as Elisa has posted today from her day trip to Port Jefferson, but I still have some to share that I will post upon my return from the ride!

Today is the day...
We are just about to head out the door for the Five Boro Bike Ride. And it wouldn't be a big ride day if I didn't get a short night's sleep - so of course I did. Hey I don't plan for this stuff to happen. I just also don't plan for it not to happen. And when I am going, it's hard to get me to stop.

But I'm gonna stop right now because I don't want us to miss our start time.

40 miles
5 boros
1 day
0 cars

Now it's time to pedal dammit!
-Travelin' Tanya

Elisa's Daily Scoop
Covering Long Island & NYC Boroughs
CURRENTLY IN: GARDEN CITY, NY

Recap of Port Jefferson Day Trip

Hey Folks! And happy Sunday. 

Five Boro Bike Tour... 
Today is the big day for the Five Boro Bike Tour, and Tanya has been getting ready for her and Dave’s ride today, since her arrival in New York yesterday.
They changed the location of the starting point kinda last minute, a few weeks ago from Manhattan to the Bronx and so that caused a bit of aggravation for my cuz.

But as of our conversation midday yesterday, she had already checked into her hotel, traveled to Brooklyn to pick up their race gear and were getting on with their day.

Madison Avenue Bridge - connects the boroughs of Manhattan (at Madison Avenue) & the Bronx (at 138th Street) is part of the Five Borough Bike Tour today. (nyc.gov)

I’ve charged Tanya with one very important task during her ride - - to soak in the Bronx segment of the tour, namely, riding over the Madison Avenue Bridge and down 138th Street in the Bronx, once she has crossed it.

I want Tanya to bring her first-hand experience, observations, and impressions to an upcoming article in Elisa’s Long Island, Outer NYC Boroughs and Travelin’ 25, making it a collaborative effort!  

The article will be entitled:
The Five Boro Bike Tour Featuring The Madison Avenue Bridge 

I know she will be bringing you a re-cap of this event, tomorrow, as an overall experience, which, I cannot wait to read!
​

Saturday in Port Jefferson

​As for me, my day, yesterday was chock full of fun with a delightful little trip with my girls out east to Port Jefferson in Suffolk county.  

All week, the forecast was predicting clouds and overcast weather.  However, we were elated that the sun was out all day during our visit!

Our 50 minute drive was smooth sailing, from the Northern State Parkway, straight through Route 347.  Our first stop was the Old Field Point Lighthouse, located in the incorporated village of Old Field, within the town of Brookhaven.

Passing through the town of Setauket on our way, I had to stop and snap some photos at the picturesque Frank Melville Memorial Park. 
This park is absolutely lovely!  Doing some research, I found out it opened in Setauket in 1937 as a memorial to Frank Melville Jr., conceived, planned and built by his wife, Jennie MacConnell Melville and his son, Ward Melville (businessman and philanthropist - founder of CVS Pharmacy).

I stopped to photograph this very picturesque park (c) travelincousins.com

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The ride through Setauket and Old Field literally took my breath away! Beautiful houses, one after the other with gorgeous views of the water, got me on a role of repeating to the girls how I would love to move there.!

​We had the place to ourselves, upon arrival at the Old Field Point Lighthouse. Beautifully set amidst trees, surrounded by the Long Island Sound and located between the entrances to Port Jefferson Harbor and Stony Brook Harbor. This Historical Landmark was built in 1824. 

Old Field Lighthouse - historical monument built in 1824 (c) travelincousins.com

Beautiful, sunny and windy day at the Old Field Lighthouse (c) travelincousins.com

Lovely Park grounds facing the Long Island Sound (c) travelincousins.com

Jumping back in the car, we made our way to Main Street and the Village Center of Port Washington.

The kids (and me!) had worked up a hearty appetite and were ready for our "Afternoon" Tea Service (even though it was only 11:30!!).

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 Walking around the town, strolling in and out of shoppes, and snapping away, we made our way to The Secret Garden Tea Cafe.

For the past few months, me and my trio have enjoyed Afternoon Tea all around Long Island, for which I’ll be doing a feature about.  This was our Fourth Afternoon Tea and by far, our favorite thus far!!

​I could go on and on with all the reasons why, and I certainly will in an upcoming article entitled “Elisa’s Favorite Afternoon Tea Spots on Long Island,” but for this blog entry, here is the short list:

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Quaint shop inside the cafe (c) travelincousins.com

interior of The Secret Garden Tea Cafe (c) travelincousins.com

"The Hat Room" (c) travelincousins.com

All ready for my tea service, with my hat (c) travelincousins.com

Patiently waiting for their goodies (c) travelincousins.com

* The outdoor garden, victorian decor

* The special hat room, for which patrons are encouraged to try on and wear during their stay.

* The small gift shop filled with a potpourri of tea related items and gifts.

* The food! Yes, the food, with its exquisite flavor, originality and presentation.

* The overall attention to detail at every single
point of the dining experience.

This *mother-daughter owned tea cafe, was the highlight of our day. Thank you Katie and Carol!!

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My Lavender Lace Tea (lavender, mint and rosemary) (c) travelincousins.com

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(left to right) Raspberry mousse, chicken salad, egg salad on pumpernickel, turkey, brie wrap, chocolate chip scone (c) travelincousins.com

Yum! (c) travelincousins.com

Can I tell you just how full we were after dining on our three tiers of sweets and savories?  I'm surprised we were all able to get up.

But, we forged on.  We needed to walk off our little feast, so we headed over to Harborfront Park.

This well laid out park, done with walking paths, a promenade and plenty of seating areas, is located on the site of a former shipyard and Mobil Oil terminal at the head of the Port Jefferson Harbor. 

Me and Gianna walked down the 350 ft pier, which previously provided tie-up for tankers and barges delivering bulk petroleum to the Mobil Oil terminal.

The pier was refurbished with a 12 ft. wide decking and railings in 2002 to allow recreational use such as fishing or walking out to enjoy the mesmerizing  views of the harbor.

The pier also serves as the home base of the Seawolf, the marine research vessel for Stony Brook University.

The Landmark Sculpture unveiled in 2004, ​depicts four rugged seamen, carrying the bones of a ship, high overhead. 

The Landmark Sculpture in Harborfront Park depicts four rugged seamen, carrying the bones of a ship, high overhead. (c) travelincousins.com

The Pier at Harborfront Park (c) travelincousins.com

Seawolf - Stony Brook University's marine research vessel (c) travelincousins.com

on the pier soaking in the sunshine (c) travelincousins.com

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We also walked down by the water - it was so sunny and warm - the perfect day to be at the shoreline!!

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Just taking in the harbor view and the boats (c) travelincousins.com

More strolling and we hit the Mather House Museum, circa 1840-1860, home of the Mather family,  who were 19th century Port Jefferson shipbuilders.

This local, Port Jefferson history museum complex includes: the mid 19th century period Mather House house with furnished rooms, and local history and decorative art exhibits; a craft house with a display of toys, spinning wheels and quilts, a  country store, and a barn with shipbuilding and sailmaking artifacts.

The kids were hot and tired, so I took some exterior shot and this is on our list for our next visit to Port Jeff this summer!

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Although we were still pretty stuffed from our afternoon tea, we decided to get some food to go, for dinner.

I had read much about Tiger Lily Cafe and it was on my list for a while to stop in, check it out and eat!

If you remember, this little eatery was featured as part of my article back in February, 2018: 
25 Great Valentine's Gifts for the Vegan in Your Life From Long Island & Online

Funky, fun and colorful Tiger Lily Cafe (c) travelincousins.com

My tired girls (c) travelincousins.com

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In front of Tiger Lily Cafe, our last stop for our day in Port Jeff (c) travelincousins.com

My Yummy Falafel wrap from Tiger Lily Cafe in Port Jefferson (c) travelincousins.com

I was thrilled to have had the opportunity to say hello and chat with Kelly, who runs Tiger Lily with her partner and founder, Lisa.  The cafe has been a thriving go-to eatery since 1998!

In their own words, Tiger Lily is "a combination of Greenwich Village with Sausalito spirit – artsy and soulful" and I couldn't agree more.

I dined on my yummy Falafel wrap at home later, while watching a few episodes of The Office - I'm now on Season 7!!

And thats a wrap for me!! Stay tuned for more tomorrow!!

-E
xoxo