Walt Whitman's Trail to Jayne's Hill

Walt Whitman Trail to Jayne's Hill (Long Island's highest peak, at an elevation of 400 feet) at West Hills County Park in Huntington.

OK, so I’m a little hesitant to tell you all about this place because it feels like a wonderful little secret and you know that feeling when all of a sudden your favorite band blows up and becomes totally famous and you’re left bitterly defending the fact that you heard them first?! It’s kinda like that. But I get that part of my obsession with the Walt Whitman Trail has a lot to do with the fact that I Love Love Love (big “L”) Walt Whitman. Even if you don’t, however, it’s a pretty rad place to visit, so let me tell you about it.

It is, of course, called the Walt Whitman Trail because the great American poet was born in a farmhouse right around the corner, and often walked this path for inspiration. Ten years before his death he visited the area one last time and wrote,

"I write this back again at West Hills on the high elevation (the highest spot on Long Island?) of Jayne’s Hill, which we have reached by a fascinating winding road. A view of thirty or forty, or even fifty or more miles, especially to the east and south and southwest; the Atlantic Ocean to the latter points in the distance–a glimpse or so of Long Island Sound to the north."

He has also described West Hills as “a romantic and beautiful spot [and] the most hilly and elevated part of Long Island.”

The trail is actually part of a much bigger park: West Hills County Park. The park boasts “youth group camping, picnicking, playground, meeting hall, bridle paths, dog run, and horseback riding facility” and if you’re into that stuff you can access the park’s main entrance at Sweet Hollow Road. Personally, I’ve always gone in the back way because when I go there, I want to walk where Whitman walked.

I wouldn’t call it a “secret entrance” but you certainly wouldn’t stumble upon it accidentally. Here’s the route: take the LIE or the Northern State East to 110 North. Make a left onto Overhill Road. Make a right onto Ridge Drive. Make a left onto Reservoir Road. There used to be a parking lot there, but now you can just kinda park on the side of the road. When you walk onto the trail, you’ll see what used to be a public bathroom, as well as a one of the most melancholic swing sets you’d ever want to see. Once these sad reminders of more prosperous times are out of sight you enter another world.

There are many paths to choose from and while they range in difficulty, I would say that anyone in decent shape can tackle the most challenging trails as long as they have a good pair of sneakers or boots and a bottle of water. I always start off following the Jayne’s Hill Trail to the top—you’ll know you’re there when you see a giant boulder with a plaque on it. This is me sitting on it -->

The way down is a lot more fun. I like to jog down the steep dirt and wooden steps to the trails below, but beginners might want to take it a bit more slowly (one word of warning: getting back up the steps is one of the most difficult pieces of the entire park, primarily because of how steep it is. Your burning thighs will thank you later). No matter which trails you take you can expect to hike at least 3 or 4 miles.

The paths are primarily dirt and crushed foliage, but there are some sandy areas as well, and since there are bridal paths, many of which cross over the hiking trails it’s not unusual to find ample amounts of horse manure. (Personally, I don’t mind the smell so much; it’s oat-y.) It’s easy to want to keep your eyes on the ground—there are large branches, plants and rocks to trip over—but you’ll miss the best parts if you do this! The trail is home to towering trees, lush greenery, and surprising bursts of colorful flowers. While there, you will hear a variety of birds and may see chipmunks, squirrels, foxes, and horses.

Take the time to explore the different trails and don’t worry about getting lost. There are trail markers on the trees and all of the paths intersect at some point. If you don’t explore you’ll miss a lot. The last time we visited, we came across this bizarre stretch of the trail that looked like scenery from The Lord of the Rings. I can only describe it as a land of creepy, leafless bushes (trees? plants? shrubs?) but they were pretty awesome looking and I totally wanted to sport a tunic and have a sword fight.

I will leave you with these words:

Have you reckon'd a thousand acres much? have you reckon'd the earth much?

Have you practis'd so long to learn to read?
Have you felt so proud to get at the meaning of poems?

Stop this day and night with me and you shall possess the origin of all poems, You shall possess the good of the earth and sun, (there are millions of suns left,)

You shall no longer take things at second or third hand, nor look through the eyes of the dead, nor feed on the spectres in books,

You shall not look through my eyes either, nor take things from me, You shall listen to all sides and filter them from your self.

Barrier Brewing

Barrier Brewing
3595 Lawson Blvd. Unit E
Oceanside, NY 11572
Phone: (516) 316-4429
E-mail: evan@barrierbrewing.com

I have often been called a "beer snob" merely because I have some knowledge of beer, respect it as an adult beverage, and have negative comments to make about the conglomerate companies that change their advertising strategies depending on "what's cool in beer" at the moment (e.g. Miller Lite's brief foray into the emphasis on triple-hop brewing was quickly replaced with male lower-back tattoo commercials). However, if I am visiting someone's house and Budweiser is their beer of choice, I will not turn it down by any means. This is their drink of choice and I respect that. Beer is rarely noted for its social powers, a means of bringing people together to enjoy food, drink, and a few laughs.

Most times, a "tasting session" will require good beers created by good people with good ingredients. With the craft beer boom comes tons of breweries opening producing a sub-par product with a catchy name. In addition, the prices on some of these fairly unknown products often astounds me, for $13 for a six-pack of "Uncle John's Wet Sock I.PA." does not appeal to me especially since I have no idea about the taste nor the brewery. This is why my friends and I were excited to hear about a brewery opening in Oceanside, NY, central to where many of us live and/or have family. Barrier Brewing is seemingly a one-man operation running out of a warehouse district along Lawson Boulevard. The journey there is half of the fun as the last time I went I waited for a friend to follow before I ventured down the dimly-lit, narrow asphalt road; it was like some sort of modern day beer adventure that beats the hell out of pulling into the lot of a distributor. When you arrive at the open garage door, do not let the exterior surroundings fool you; this is a model of cleanliness, hospital-like even, with tons of stainless steel instruments for brewing shining from every corner. Bags of top-notch hops (mostly from the Pacific Northwest) and grains (from the U.K., Germany, Belgium, France, Canada, and the United States) form a bunker in the middle of the floor, announcing to all visitors that this not some sort of backwoods moonshine operation.

I was greeted by Evan, the master brewer, and was happily given the opportunity to sample some beers before I bought. At the time, these beers were available: Ruthless IPA, Belgian1, GreenRoom Pale Ale, Lights Out Stout, Bulkhead Red, and Beech St. Wheat. Being a modest fellow and knowing that this brewery was just getting started (plus I had to drive home), I asked for samples of the Beech St. Wheat and the Lights Out Stout. I was completely blown away by the quality of the beers. The Beech St. Wheat had a terrific aroma of citrus and coriander and this followed through in the flavor. It had a nice mouthfeel, slightly dry, a bit creamy, with strong citrus notes and various spices. It was a nice play on the typical Belgian Wit but with a modern interpretation. I liked the balance of spice to citrus as this can be the downfall of many witbiers as they fall too much into one category. This would be an unbelievable thirst-quencher during the warmer months.

I also sampled (and ended up buying a growler of) the Lights Out Stout. Stouts are one of my favorite styles of beers, so much so that it does not have to be cold out for me to enjoy one. Barrier's stout is a monster, comparable to many of the better American stouts out there now. It had a nice, thick mouthfeel and strong coffee notes without the addition of actual coffee. For me, this is a real mark of quality to be able to extract such a strong coffee flavor without the addition of any flavorings. The roasted, chocolatey nature of the beer is something that I really enjoyed as well as the light alcohol note in the finish. It had a nice balance of bitterness from the hops. This is an easy drinking stout, dare I say a session beer, that I look forward to enjoying more in the cooler months. And there's nothing like a pitch-black stout poured into the correct glass (as this was). I was also able to sample the Bulkhead Red, which was also an excellent interpretation of the style, with a beautiful red hue and a nice, malty sweetness.

On a side note, I was impressed that the website listed three goals or objectives. This might appeal to the educator in me but it gave much validity to the operation. According to the website, the objectives of Barrier Brewing are: 1) to educate the local consumer to the variety and quality available in locally produced craft beer, 2) to create and produce beers of a caliber that cannot and have not been produced elsewhere, and 3) to spread the word of great beer through the creation of great beer. The brewery gives you the opportunity to see the creation process from start to finish, something most of Long Islanders will never be able to see or do (especially that close up). I am glad to hear about the education part as well. There is such a focus in the food world on understanding where our food comes from that this should be applicable to beer as well. To be able to see the process of beer making and then see the beer on tap at a local bar is tremendous. I applaud the brewery for their accessibility and their desire to make the brewery accessible to all.

I am looking forward to sampling more beers in the future and for the price ($10 to $12 for a growler fill), this is quite the deal. Let's remember too that you are getting your growler filled in the same place that it is made - talk about freshness! I read rumors about a possible schwarzbier in the works and a reference to a winter warmer and I am amped! There are some great things being brewed here and it would be worth your time to take a drive over and get a growler or buy a glass or t-shirt!

Notes:

· Visit the brewer webpage here: Barrier Brewing Co. Here you will find a history of the brewery, how the beers are made (very informative), merchandise, and the various beers that are produced.

· The brewery normally does growler fills on Saturdays from 12pm to 4pm. I happened to get my growler filled on Friday night. Check the Barrier Brewing Facebook page for updates on when the growler fill days and times will be for that week. A friend of mine also e-mailed the brewery (evan@barrierbrewing.com) and received a quick reply when asked about fill times. You can even set up a tour of the brewing facility.

· If you like the beers, take a business card and give it to your local distributor, especially if they have taps to fill growlers. Long Island needs more breweries like this! Keep It On Long Island (KIOLI!)

Nissequogue River State Park

Nissequogue River State Park
799 St. Johnland Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
$8 Car Entrance Fee (during the spring and summer months)

There are certain times where the preservation of land for the use of recreation by the public makes a tremendous amount of sense. One’s thoughts on this topic will most definitely vary by where one lives and how much space is available to “get out and enjoy the outdoors.” For those who live in small apartments with little light, having the opportunity to spend a day at the park is more than a necessity. The name of this park is misleading; yes, it does access the Nissequogue River but most of the park consists of the abandoned Kings Park Psychiatric Center which closed its doors in December of 1996. One building remains occupied, run by the Pilgrim Psychiatric facility.

I am not really sure how to put to words the emotions and feelings that one gets when visiting this park. The first thing that hits you is the sheer magnitude of the facility, how many buildings exist which all served the purpose of rehabilitating (?) those with severe disabilities. Kings Park existed during a time when “warehousing” those with severe disabilities seemed like the only option, where jamming as many people as humanly possible into buildings served the purpose of getting these people out of society. I think it is important that I mention that I speak historically as I have read many accounts and am completely sickened by the ways things were. As a counterpoint, most of these large facilities were extremely understaffed and it is a shame that the stories of abuse overshadow the stories of employees who truly worked on rehabilitation and getting patients back into society.

As you wander around the main section of the park, it is like visiting Chernobyl. Once a place filled with humans is now abandoned yet the historical significance remains. Doctors and nurses lived here. For a long period of time, this facility was self-sufficient with its own power, water, and even food. This is not a park to visit for a picnic. Rather, it is a place to go for contemplation about one’s own existence.

This is the place to go to with your I-Pod with a familiar, contemplative song on loop (I like Shadez of Brooklyn’s “Change (instrumental)” or Bobby Hutcherson’s “Montara”). Wander around the main section of the park, examine the buildings, and imagine what had gone on there. Revel in irony as you reach the bluff where panoramic vistas of the Long Island Sound are quickly shrouded by boarded windows, crumbling brick, and the musty smell of urban decay. Take a seat on a bench on the now defunct Soundview Court, watch the birds, and think about life in general as you stare at Building 93 looming in the distance. Imagine a day in the life here. Imagine your day in a life here.

Spending a day here on a humid July afternoon will give you perspective. There is access to the Long Island Greenbelt Trail and there are some interesting nuggets along this trail such as building foundations, chairs, and other items representing buildings since destroyed before worries of asbestosis. Walk back to your car and stare in amazement at the window boards of some of the buildings (plywood boards over the windows to prevent vandalism and trespassing) as they display the artwork of children in an effort to soften the “edges’ of the place. Take a peek at the medical/surgical building, notice the gated-in fire escapes rusting, and ponder the many then-breakthrough electro-shock treatments and lobotomies that took place there. A quick turn to the left and you are at a playground. Sit on the slide and wonder, “What the #$%& were they thinking?” Exit the park on Kings Park Boulevard and revel in the shadow of Building 93, a thirteen-story monstrosity that must have struck fear into all those who passed through its doors for the first time. People fly gas-powered model planes and helicopters in a field adjacent to the Wisteria building, a place where the most violent patients were rumored to have lived (opacity.us). Irony is the key word here. You will leave this place feeling quite different than when you came and not in a cheesy, “Ghost Hunters” way. It will affect the way you think about the world around us, the people that exist in it, and the hidden history of Long Island.

Notes:
• I must emphasize that you do not attempt to enter any of the buildings. Disregarding a trivial anecdote of a shotgun being pointed out through a window, there are a myriad of reasons not to trespass. These include asbestos, lead paint, vagrants, mold, weak floors and ceilings, rodents, and a small item known as the police who levy severe penalties to those who are caught.
• If you need a fix of what the interiors look like, visit Opacity. Here you will find awesome photos, videos, news items, and archival photos. All photos seen here were taken by Dan over a period of two years.
• Visit the Nissequogue River State Park Foundation to see some ideas on how locals would like to further develop the land as a functioning (and accessible) park while keeping the historical integrity of the facility
• I have left a lot to be explored. This is a large place and many interesting things abound.

Up and Coming

This blog will be an amalgamation of two people who live, work (kind of), eat, shop, explore, and suffer in the place that is known as Long Island. We thought it would make sense to share some of our explorations of The Island from a perspective that focuses on the inexpensive, free, or otherwise devoid of all things Long Island. It will be a place where restaurants, parks, places, music, beer, and many other items will be discussed rather randomly. Our hopes are that you will be able to find something new that you can take part in to make living here more accessible and enable those who do not know that tons of culture and activity take place right here and not a railroad trip to the west. We encourage comments and suggestions and look forward to embarking on this seemingly trivial endeavor that was months in the making.