HP 19 Part 2 The Motel Montauk

Story below continues from, "The Legend of the Montauk Man"

I had to get off that bench at the light house and start my quest to find the kind stranger who helped me that fateful day. It was time to be proactive and sitting around was not working. As a data analyst, I knew I had to gather key bits of information to solve a problem or in this case a puzzle. Where do I start? Could I really just quit my job and dedicate myself to this adventure? The answer was easy. If it were not for that mysterious stranger I wouldn't even be here today, so sure I'll set aside my life to try and solve this riddle, maybe even get to thank my good Samaritan. There was no time like the present to start, so I began looking for some place to stay for the night. I drove through town with no luck, so I kept driving, slowly getting further and further from Montauk point until I spotted it. It was a motel on the beach, just outside the village, located where the road into Montauk splits into the old and new highway. Yes it's the only way to get in and out of Montauk but it appeared to be out of place cutting through sandy dunes and scrub pines. Oddities aside I felt some kind of attraction to the area, so I went with it. The Motel Montauk was its name and everything about it seemed stereo-typical, a bit run down, aged by the salt sea air and lonely. The price was reasonable, being it was off season, so staying a few nights wouldn't be a problem.

 A surfer kid greeted me and was, as you could imagine, the kind of kid without a care in the world. He welcomed me by saying, "We're expecting you...dude!" . "Do I know you?" I said, to which he repeated "we're expecting you to... to have a great time here in Montauk, I'm Chris!" I gave him the side eye and thanked Chris. He made some small talk, asked me where I was from and what I was here for. He proceeded to tell me about his life story and the "waves" which I had to cut him off short; "I'm sorry, I'm tired, could you please hurry this along" "No problemo, here is your key and don't forget to check out the light house!" I thought that was about the dumbest thing he could have said to me, to which I responded "yes, sure thing, Chris, I'll try to get to it" I thanked him again and went to my room via an outdoor walkway lighted by sterile lights strung on a cord that faced the street. I found room 2C on the second floor and unlocked the door with the key surfer kid gave me, no fancy hotel card here. I peered in skeptically and checked out my room. I walked over to the far wall and pulled back the curtain and boom, there it was, through a large floor to ceiling window the gray view of the ocean, spraying mist, waves laying foam under dark clouds as thunderous waves crashed onto the beach. I was in awe and fear at the same time. The room itself was sparse, the typical sea side motif complete with lighthouse print sheets, a musty bathroom as you enter and then the room itself with a king size bed, wow how luxurious. I settled in and then decided to get some dinner. I went back down to the reception and the surfer kid was not there, nor anybody else. I looked around, walked back and forth down a hall, and there he was, "You need something?" "Yes, I wanted to have some dinner, do you know of any place around?" " Everything is closed for the season, sorry" What the hell am I going to do. "Thanks" "hold on, you may want to try the Pizzeria in town, they have pretty cool food there...." "Gee"

It was dusk as I headed off into town to find some food. Dead; no cars or people milling around. What a stark difference to the summer time when you can't even find a parking spot. I did find the pizza shop and decided what the hell pizza tonight. Tomorrow I'll find something a bit more substantial.  I ate my food, left and walked around the town in the cold night air. I stopped in front of the Montauk tower located in the middle of the village, which I found odd and charmingly out of place and wondered who the hell would build that multi story brick tower in this sleepy little village? I thought I needed to investigate further, no reason, just a hunch. Apparently the building houses condominiums, not its original use I'm sure but oddly enough there were no mailboxes or directories in the lobby or any other indication that people live in this place. There were no cars out in the lot, and no one around, who stays in this place? Here I go inventing tales were none exist; this is obvious a resort town and these are summer apartments unoccupied in the winter time which it now was. I doubt my good Samaritan lives here. It was getting late and I started to feel like a vagrant loitering around so I left the building and looked back at it again once more before I left for the night -I don't know why but I had the queasy feeling someone was starring at me. As I turned around I saw a single light on the third floor and watched someone instantly pull back a curtain so as to not be seen. "It's him!" Oh yes striking evidence I thought, you solved the mystery let's come back and just interview all the residents of the Montauk Tower, "By the way, remember me, the guy you saved at the beach" that should go over dandy here in this ritzy area. Time to go back to my motel.

I arrived back at my motel late into the night and went to the reception where I found the surfer kid, Chris all alone on his Lap top computer and glimpsed at his screen. I was a bit taken aback as there was no "cool video" or anything inappropriate, thank god, however I could have sworn there was some computer code he was typing. Being a data analyst I can recognize any code but this was no ordinary code that I have ever seen before. As he typed,  the code seemed to expand and contract in real time and there were no discernible characters that I could recognize -more like symbols-OK is this some x-files stuff going on here? I spoke up, "Hey Chris, you a computer programmer of some sort?" "What me? No way man, this is just some cool game I'm playing" "No it's not" "Sure it is check it out" To my astonishment some video game suddenly appeared. "I thought I saw you programming, you a college student studying computer science?" "Me a programmer? (laugh) the only computing I'm doing is wave computing", "I could have sworn I saw something on your screen, I'm an analyst myself", "wicked cool!" " could you help me get to the next level...here check it out"  I said good night and left for my room.

The next morning I went back to town. I had to go back to the Tower and check out that lone light-maybe the occupant will come out. I parked my car in the village and looked for a bench near the tower and sat down fixed on the Tower. I sat there for 3 hours-no luck. This is foolish I thought, I have no clue what I'm doing except that this may be a colossal waste of my time. How about I put an end to all this nonsense, go back to my motel, check out and head on back home, that sounded just about right. Before I left for the motel I headed to the beach for a walk to shake off this non sense I was up to. As I began walking the beach I passed a woman, a strikingly beautiful woman, like a Christie Brinkley type, who was dressed smartly in her winter clothing gazing out to the ocean, I caught her look, but tried not to hold it as I didn't want her to think I was some kind of creep, so I smiled and kept walking, but I kept thinking about her, not because she was stunning, which she was, but because she was trans-fixed on something or someone it seemed. I did not have the nerve to speak to her at the time but it would have been nice to learn about what she was thinking as she gazed out to sea-was she like me trying to answer some mystery? Looking for someone? I suppose it could have been anything. Anyway I turned around and started walking back to her, gathering up some courage to maybe say hello, but just then a man approached her and they embraced and left the beach.....so much for that mystery. I thought OK strike two. Let's not wait for strike three and leave while we still have some dignity left.

That afternoon I came back to the hotel and my surfer kid was no where to be seen, maybe his shift was over. Instead I was greeted by some older gentleman, someone who looked like and sounded like a butler  "Hello Sir, may I help you?" "Where's the young fellow who was here last night? "Excuse me sir?" "Yes the young man with the long blond hair surfer type looking kid, Chris is his name..." "No one works here by that description...."  "Are you sure, he checked me in last night and I do have a room, here is my key..." " I'm sorry Sir that was me who checked you in, are you feeling alright? Did you get a chance to visit the light house like I suggested?" "Excuse me, this is crazy." I rushed off to my room and tried to get my wits about me, my head was buzzing. Alright, I'm searching for some mysterious person that comes to peoples aid, was he in disguise as this surfer kid? Maybe he's this old man who looks and acts like a butler?  I don't know, what do I do? Maybe I'm not well... However I know what I saw and I know who helped me check in and it wasn't that older gentleman. Change of plan, I cannot leave Montauk just yet, I need to confirm one way or the other that I'm not going crazy. Maybe this is a product of my overactive imagination but maybe not.

One thing was for sure; I needed to figure out where was Chris and who was this old man pretending to know me, I went back to the front desk. "Welcome back sir, are you feeling better?" " Yes, yes I am. I'd like to stay another night, I have some further business I need to attend to..." " Let me see....(pause) I'm sorry we have no further vacancies..." " Last night when I checked in I was told by Chris there were plenty of rooms available and by the way, where are all the guests?" " I apologize once again, may I suggest you try the Montauk Manor just outside the village, I'm certain they have plenty of vacancies..."   How strange, he's trying to get rid of me and suggesting I go to the Montauk Manor...It would be nice to be closer the village and anyhow maybe I'll run into that woman I saw on the beach. I decided not to make a scene and play along with the old man. " OK then, I'm checking out, not that I have a choice" "Good Sir, was everything to your satisfaction?" "You tell me" "Excuse me?" "Sorry, yes, except for the part of the no vacancies..." "Very well, we will be expecting you again..." "What did you say?", "I'm sorry, I meant we look forward to being of service to you again in the future..." He smiled wryly. I looked at him with my head tilted downward, eyes looking straight up at him as I signed my receipt, and said  " Yes, you can definitely expect me back...By the way, you don't happen to drive a gray Rolls Royce for some rich Baron?" " Hardly Sir." With that I left, destination; Montauk Manor

Copyright Lewis Portal
Stay tuned for part 3


   

Hamptons Portfolio 18 Shinnecock Hills

In and around Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

Check out the Monarch Butterfly

More pics from Shinnecock

Hamptons Portfolio 17 Montauk & The Montauk Man Part 1

For good or bad Montauk is getting more and more recognized as a special place. I suppose you can't keep a good thing to yourself, nor do I want to. As the hob nobbing Hamptonites look to new horizons, Montauk unfortunately or fortunately seems to be on their radar. As Courtland Smith of the Hamptons said, "Montauk is that honky tonk rambling fishing town; Keep the McMansions out!" (Court was a 95 year old architect I worked with in Southampton) Montauk so far has been a place that has stayed true to its unpretentious character even with the steady Hampton attitude migration. Although I myself am not a resident of Montauk I feel I am a part of it. As soon as I come down that long stretch of concrete highway bordered by dunes, pines and the ocean I feel the pull. I sense myself. The sea is timeless. I feel I always existed. Montauk is that place that calls to the inner self.

There are many Montauk mysteries. I have already wrote about Camp Hero and the "Montauk Experiment" but I would like to write about the legend of the "Montauk Man". Never heard of it/him? Well "The Montauk Man" as described to me appears in times of need in and around Montauk's parks, beach's, village and harbor. Some say he is similar to the "Moth Man" and others say he is just a kind stranger. Witnesses seem to describe the same thing: An apparition, or entity in the form of a weary good Samaritan.

The "Montauk Man" Part one.

Morning. I awoke to my usual thought, "not another day". It was the same old "what hell lies in store for me today".  It was winter time and very cold which didn't help with my outlook for the day. These thoughts of despair are typical for me but today it was worse than any other day causing me pain. I could not stand it any longer, I had to do something about it. So I decided to skip work and take a drive out to Montauk, the most peaceful place I could think of, for me at least. I got in my car and headed out. There was no traffic like in the summer time, boy it can get really crazy then. I drove through historic Hampton villages and thought about the people from colonial times and what it must have been like, maybe there I would have been happier... 

After I got through the villages I was on the long stretch of road that leads you to Montauk. This concrete highway seams so out of place cutting its way through pitch pines, and sand dunes, the ocean came into view. Up and down the hills of Montauk I drove until I reached Camp Hero, the old military base near the lighthouse, finally I made it. I parked my car and walked over to the cliffs before the ocean with the crashing waves below and stood there, close to the edge gazing out to the sea. The Montauk light house was over to my left and a nice sight to see. 

The sky was overcast and the temperature was well below freezing with a strong wind blowing. The cold weather had chased all others away, I was alone here in this beautiful place. As I stood there I thought and thought; how can this place, which makes me feel better be with me always? I don't want my typical life back with my crappy job, no friends or sense of purpose. Why can't I...just stay here forever? 

Just then the wind really picked up and the sea grasses seemed to hiss at me. I needed to move to keep warm. I took some steps back from the edge of the cliff and walked for some time.  I don't know why, but I felt a strong urge to go to the ocean.

It was far below but I managed to make it down some path I found on the cliff. The sea was rough, foamy and green. The smell of salt air was medicinal as I breathed it in hard. I stood there appreciating the awesome power of the sea, it was alive and I felt it speak to me, "Come closer"  I had to obey. As I walked to the water I felt a stinging in my shoes, it was the ocean water. I tried to leave for the safety of the beach but I could not. I just stood there until I felt I had to move once again - forward... now the water was up to my knees, then my waist as wave after wave seemed to grab me, I began to shiver uncontrollably. I looked around in desperation for help to break this trance that I seemed to be in but no one was around. 

I resigned to my fate and thought maybe this is Montauk's way of taking spirits and it heard my pleas for help and this was its way of helping me. I was beginning to go numb and my shivering became less. The water was now over my shoulders and right below my chin; I finally felt peace. I could care less about the world now or the troubles of my little life, soon it will all make sense I thought. Just then I fell in to what seemed to be the most deep sleep I ever experienced and then things went black.

I awoke near the bluff far from the waters edge. I was wet and freezing but on me was a heavy blanket with a small little  fire nearby.  I wrapped myself up tightly and warmed my hands up over the small crackling fire. There I knelt, dumb founded, puzzled as I looked around for someone, something to make sense of what was happening; who saved me? How did I get this blanket? Who started this fire...? I could not say. It was now dark and the night air was so much colder. The fire was nice but enough to keep me alive, I needed a warm shelter. I got up to leave and felt sharp cutting pains in my bones with each step I took I knew I had to keep moving otherwise what the ocean did not take the night air certainly would. I walked and walked with the freezing wind in my face for what seemed like miles. 

From the beach I found the little path through the bramble that leads you to the lodge above. I struggled to open the door with my frozen limbs, as I held the blanket closely to me. No one was inside but a fire was raging in a big stone fireplace-I took a seat on the old sofa, checking around self consciously knowing I had some explaining to do about my appearance. The heat from the large fireplace began warming me up and drying me off. Finally someone came around, it looked like someone who worked here. She politely acknowledged me with a look and nodded her head without saying a word. That's odd I thought -I was wet, hair matted, wrapped in a heavy blanket and she just smiled as if nothing was wrong. I returned her stare and waited for my cue to come up with some story and ask for something hot to drink but she kept walking and left through some door and was gone. I didn't have the strength to yell out for her to come back let alone get up and follow her, man, I needed a nice warm drink...

After some time, I was feeling better although no one else came along. Somewhat dry I decided I needed to get home and recover with a hot meal and warm bed, I couldn't wait any longer I had to go. I left the lodge and started walking, wrapped in my blanket I trudged along the bramble lined sidewalk that takes you past the lighthouse parking and over to Camp Hero. An occasional car would drive past, but no one seemed to notice me or even slow down to see if I needed help. One car in particular, an old grey Rolls Royce, approached very slowly and then stopped before me, just in front of the lighthouse-I thought they were stopping to ask if I needed help, I don't know. I gathered my wits to get some story straight to tell. As I waited for someone to roll down the window I noticed  an unusual looking boy in the back seat. He appeared to look like a very proper young gentleman, like some future lord of Parliament . He raised his hand and waved, although to my embarrassment not to me but if not to me then who?  Puzzled I saw a reflection in the car window of a strange looking man behind me and assumed it was the person the boy was waving to. I turned around to look but there was no one there. I thought that's odd, who the hell is he waving to? Suddenly and without warning the car sped away with the boy fixing his gaze on me, holding it as the car disappeared down the road. I was baffled and dumbfounded-Thanks for the help, I thought, maybe he knew something I didn't. I had no time to waste, the night chill was getting worse and I needed to get to my car quickly. I made it. I felt happy, or at least a sense of hope entered my mind for the first time in a long time.  I started my car put the heat on full blast, waited for the warm air and then drove off. I knew my life would never be the same ever again. I had to find out who helped me and thank them.

The following day I returned back to a cold but sunny bright Montauk. I sat on a bench near the lighthouse enjoying the sun on my face, searching for the good Samaritan who pulled me from the ocean. I became somewhat obsessed, I had to find this person who saved me, I had a new lease on life. I came back twice a week for months and sat on that same bench but alas I had no luck. I'm not going to give up, I think I'm going to keep to searching for this mystery person and get the answers I seek... Thanks for listening.
Copyright Lewis. Portal

Improving Suburbia Portfolio 9, Northport Library The Little Prince

“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: 

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” 

― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

OK, this post might not make any sense to my American friends but for many people around the world coming across this, they will be smiling inside, that I am sure of. In Northport, Long Island New York, exists a library that has on display a statue of "The Little Prince". If you follow this blog you will find another story from Northport, I covered , the Northport Power plant which I dedicated to Le Corbusier who I believe would have appreciated and been inspired by such a structure. What does this have to do with the Little Prince? Well the author who wrote "The Little Prince" Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900–1944) was also a French man who wrote most of this classic tale in Asharoken, (very near Northport) and not in France to my surprise.  Was he a famous architect? No. Why is this so important to me and to a blog dedicated to architecture? Because this story has lessons to share especially with those who create for a living. This story tells us to never forget in the power of imagination, creativity, and to avoid conformity, in life and artistic expression. Some architects I suspect need such reminding.  

The Northport Library has honored Saint-Expury and the Little Prince with a statue and now I honor them as well. I'm not going to write about the Little Prince or its author, you can easily google that, I'm just here to remind you and especially those who need to connect back to their creativity, it's closer than you think...even in architecture "the essential is invisible to the eye", a concept very few architects, if any, will understand.  

Just like the Little Prince knew, imagination is the most important thing- just check out his perfect sheep, it's found in this box...

"This is only his box.The sheep you asked for is inside"

The courtyard of the Northport Library

Bridge above to the Library Entrance

“All grown-ups were once children... but only few of them remember it.” 
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

Catch the animated movie "The Little Prince" on Netflix, it's worth the watch. 

Improving Suburbia Portfolio 8 Stony Brook University Hospital

Mart And Hospital Pavilion with Children's Hospital

Medical and Research Translation (Mart) at

Stony Brook University Hospital

While visiting dad at the hospital I had a chance to take in some of the architecture at Stony Brook University Hospital. Stony Brook has finally gotten its architectural legs back it seems. If you are familiar with the "old" hospital, visually that is, you may not have been too impressed; E.G. The "Dice Building" 1970's claptrap (Nonsensical) architecture at its worst:

Those horrid concrete panels kept falling off-even now they are in bad shape.

The new architecture is a vast improvement to this hospital. Here are some random pics I took of the Mart and Hospital pavilion under construction:

Night out with the Architect-MURPH

Well this isn't really a night out architect article, more of a day out with the architect but I hope you still find this an enjoyable read.  If you follow this blog you may have come across my portfolio cover on the Michael P. Murphy post office. I have always admired that building and did not know until after I documented it that it was named in honor of Navy SEAL, hero, Michael P. Murphy. I really never gave tribute or thanks to Michael P Murphy when I should have; as they say I'm a day late and dollar short in honoring this great American, however I don't give a shit-it's never too late. Did I know LT. Murphy, no. Did I ever meet him, no. How about know any of his family or friends or comrades, no.  Am I a former Navy SEAL, or did I ever serve in the armed forces at least? no. The only thing in direct common is we both graduated from the same high school (Now named after him), Patchogue-Medford HS- Michael P. Murphy Campus. (Stay tuned I'll post some pics of the place)

No, I went straight to college  and became an architect and I did not give to this country as did he and all the other service members. However that does not mean I have no rights to honor our military service members and to that I do give my highest honor and respect. Today I went to visit LT. Michael Murphy at the Calverton National Cemetery and I have to say what a beautiful visit.

Early April Sunday morning, drizzling rain, mild mid 50 degree temperatures, I made my way to the Cemetery, which is just about 20 minute drive from my house. I arrived and went to the directory to locate his site. With a short drive around the place I found it easy enough. Although there were no visitors save myself you could not miss Murphy's place.

How beautiful and well kept with many memento's, I felt a little bad for all the other sites that had no tributes, but I paid my respects to all the others as well.  

Since I was there by myself I could engage Murphy in an audible conversation, hoping somehow he would give me some response, some signal, some how. So the words flew and having read a little about Murph. my dialogue was a bit sarcastic, (no disrespect-never). I joked about how I was unfortunately the only person to come visit him on this particular morning. How shitty life is because I only know him because he made the ultimate sacrifice. I sensed this language he appreciated and He didn't want me to leave nor did I want to leave as I was having fun with this discussion but I was getting wet and thought time up. For some reason and it's up to you to believe it or not, whether you believe in being touched from the beyond or not, I was directed by some form of providence to cross the street, I didn't know why. There I found 2 trash cans. One was labeled trash the other flower pots. In one of them I looked and found an umbrella. Please note I'm not a dumpster diver in any way and normally I do not look in trash cans. I thought "Huh, looks like an umbrella, who would throw this out? Must be broken" Well I took it out and yes you guessed it, it was perfectly working!  

The "Murph Umbrella" 

It opened as if bran new and I could find no defects with it. So now I had no excuse not to return to Murph. and continue our conversation, which I did. The last thing I noted and this was fitting, were these beer bottles:

 

Yes. To share this with you is an honor. That's it. I think I'll visit Murph. again one day-I'm nobody to him but now maybe I am........

Join me in the race around the lake June 25,  2016 at lake Ronkonkoma. - Google it for info.

Cheers.

Update June 25, 2016

Just finished the "Lt. Michael P. Murphy Run Around The Lake" Lake Ronkonkoma, NY. Had a blast:

Me on the right wearing M.P. Murphy shirt

Could not believe this on this hot race day...