Montauk Portfolio 4, Elijah

"Let's head over to the Pub, for a drink" Said the old man. Alright but it is a bit late, don't you think? "Nonsense, hee, hee!" We walked over to a pub located in yet another Tudor style building, the place was musty and dirty, nothing good comes out here I thought. We sat at the bar. "Two Whiskey Sours Ethel!' "You got any money Elijah?"  "My friend here will take care of it!" He laughed and cleaned the saliva foaming from his lips and did a bit of a jig, "Yes I got it". The bar maid brought us our drinks and just as I was about to grab mine a large man in plaid shirt, complete with fish blood soaked overalls, grabbed it, threw it back in one gulp and said "Who's your boyfriend Elijah?" "Oh nobody Marcus. Just a lost tourist is all". "Why is he buying the town drunk a drink?" "Some people are still kind in this world, Marcus", "Yeah well tell him to be careful, I wouldn't want him to get hurt with all that kindness..." With that, he walked away. "That was a close one Mister, see what I mean!" "I'm going over to talk to him...", "If you know what's best for you, you'll stay as far away from him as possible, you hear me?" "OK, old man, I won't talk to Marcus , tell me what you know. "Another drink and I'd be happy to..."

"Well, Montauk is a curious place, always has been. Although this place looks like a quiet seaside town, it's a place that mourns everyday", "How so?".  "This place we call Montauk is sacred. It's a place that has seen its share of sadness. Ever wonder why this place attracts the artistic soul? Especially the tortured ones? Montauk calls to them, misery loves company I suppose. That Jackson Pollack near went mad out here, couldn't take it, gave in to the drink. This sadness in Montauk all began with what we did to those poor Indians.You see, most people know about the injustice most natives suffered across this here great country of ours, same is true here in Montauk, with one big difference..." "What's that?" " Had these Indians known their land would be more valuable than gold they'd had never given it away, not for the pennies they received at least. That Lion Gardiner, the one that owns that Island yonder, suckered those poor Indians with some booze and trinkets for a whole damn Island! Now it's true this land wasn't always as valuable as it is today but the Indians certainly never got their fair share for what was once theirs.Why all of East Hampton Township, snookered from the Montauk Indian! I learned this back when I was a kid: "All the neck of land called Montauk, with all and every part and parcel thereof from sea to sea, from the utmost end of the land eastward to the sea-side, unto the other end of the said land westward, adjoining to the bounds of East Hampton...with meadow, wood, stone, creeks, ponds, and whatsoever doth or may grow upon or issue from the same, with all the profits and commodities, by sea or land, unto the aforesaid inhabitants of East Hampton, their heirs and assigns, forever." Guess how much the English  paid for all of that, the entire Township in other words...30 pounds, about 1000.00 dollars in today's money. No, those natives got what was coming to them, a destiny sadder than any people could imagine to suffer. To this day Montauk remembers. It pervades every square inch of this land, every stone, tree and shrub cry in remembrance." "Why because they made the worst real estate deal in the history of mankind?" "No. Of course not. Money means nothing to those Indians. They lost their home but even greater they lost their freedom to walk among their spirits. If you pay attention...close attention you can feel their their spirit, it cry's out I tell ya!"  Elijah was wide eyed and overly excited by now, "OK old man, I don't believe it happened exactly like that but I get it; this place and country has a checkered history, no doubt but how does this fit in with the Montauk Man, is he some Indian, sorry, Native American super hero?" "I'm getting to it, but first I need another drink"  "Listen it's late, can we talk again tomorrow? It's been a rough night so far." "Sure thing Mister, I'm at the Rec center. can't miss it....", "I'll see you tomorrow, I need to get some rest" "OK Sunny, before you go, how about that drink! Don't do anything foolish!" With that I bought Elijah another drink and left the bar. I stepped outside into the biting cold air, breathing in hard the salt laden air from the Atlantic ocean breeze. I was without my car so I headed down the side walk to look for a cab, and turned down a poorly lit side street. As I did a hand, more like a giant fist came straight at my face; That was all I remembered. I woke up groggy, lying on the sidewalk, my face felt like a truck hit it. My wallet was at my side and all my cash was gone...I picked myself up, brushed myself off looked around and saw no one. Maybe I should go back to the police station to report this, yeah right...I need to get back to the hotel. As I stood there a cab rolled up, "Need a ride?"

 I entered the the Manor and was met straight away by Devon, "Oh my, what happened to you...?" Devon snickered as he shook his head back and forth "Tisk, Tisk, Tisk, You need any assistance?" "No I don't think so, I'll be OK" "We'll if you need anything, like a bandage, ointment or a pirates eye patch let me know..." (grinning). "You know what you can do with that pirates patch..." I left before he could respond and up to my room I went. I checked myself out in the bathroom mirror, What a mess, I looked like a prize fighter who just lost a fight, badly. Where was the Montauk man to help me out I sarcastically thought? I had a nice big black and blue shiner under my eye. I washed my face with cold water to try and bring down the swelling and then jumped in the shower. I should have left Montauk when I had the chance.....I went to bed without eating a thing and fell fast asleep. I awoke early in the morning. "Is this a dream or did I really get mugged for the first time?" Maybe I'm being toyed with, after all, who the hell  gets robbed on the streets of Montauk?

I spent much of the next day just lounging around, sleeping and just generally taking it easy. It was getting dark and well into evening when I thought, "Let's stay here at the Manor for dinner, no traveling today"  I got dressed as snappy as I could and left for the Dining hall. Now this was no ordinary dining hall. Imagine joining King Edward at his royal table for dinner time, that's what this felt like. The Maitre'd sat me down near a huge stone arch not far from the king sized fireplace which was roaring with a glorious fire that warmed my bones... "Ah, now this beats getting punched in the face, (grin), I hope the food is as good as the ambiance..." I was preparing myself for the evenings culinary delight when I spotted her, the woman from the beach, the one staring out into infinity. Was it really her? She was with the same man from the beach  but she didn't seem terribly happy, sad in fact. I couldn't help but feel some connection to her, I needed to meet her, but how? How do you make contact with a  total stranger at a fancy restaurant who is in the company of another male? Time to think.  

Stay tuned for part 5
Copyright Lewis Portal

Hamptons Portfolio 20 - Montauk Man Part 3

"All I ask is a tall ship and a star to sail her by" John Masefield, 

"Sea Fever"

So there I was in my car heading to the Montauk Manor. I should have called for reservations, however it's the off season and I'm sure they will have plenty of rooms available without doubt. I went through the village past the Montauk Tower and headed up Edgemere Street that runs along the bay until I spotted the Montauk train station and turned up the road to the Manor. Perched on a hill with commanding views of the area including Fort Pond Bay, the Tudor style building, like the Tower, seemed out of place but very charming. The setting has that feel of Neuschwanstein, that fairy tale castle mad King Ludwig the 11 built in Bavaria. In any event I looked forward to staying here. I had the added benefit that if my crazy investigation was nothing but a goose chase at least I would get to stay in this glorious hotel for a few nights and enjoy the hell out of myself. However, I couldn't help but think I was directed here for some purpose yet unknown to me: It's no accident I'm here, compliments of the Motel Montauk. I better reserve a room for my extended stay so I don't get booted out like at the Motel.

I entered the lobby and could not believe my eyes. It was if I stepped back in time- What a grand scale interior with stone floors, (talk about a "New swan rock") colonnades and old truss beams in the high ceiling were a sight to see, this was royal. I went straight to the front desk. "Uh hum, (clearing my throat) Uh hum", "Yes, I'll be right with you"  OK so we're having a slow start, let's be patient. The clerk who looked impish, seemed very particular in his actions with an air of always being annoyed, fumbled through papers and his computer key pad; he was having some minor crises- time seemed to stand still as I waited. Finally, he attended me "How can I help you?" "I'd like a room" "Do you have a reservation?" He said with a smirk, you've got to be kidding I thought, not a soul in sight, it's the off season, c'mon!  "No. no I do not" "OK, let me see what we have available"  "Oh fabulous, I found you a suite, with double queen beds, and views of the water, would that be suitable?" " do you have anything, how can I say, a bit less, I really don't need a suite" " Oh no, this was reserved especially for you" "What do you mean?" "Trust me Sir I'll give it to you for the price of our smaller rooms, it's the off season don't you know?", "How can I say no to that..." "I need the room for at least 3 nights"        " That will not be a problem, in fact you may never want to leave at all!".  Alright that was strange, let's see if he knows anything. "Are you familiar with the Motel Montauk?" "Well, yes, but it's not a place I'd stay at" "Why?" "Well for one it's closed for the season and two the place is creepy" Closed for the season? I don't think he understands or knows much about Montauk, after all I was just there. I asked him one last question, "Do you know an older gentleman that works there, at the Motel...a butler looking type?" "Sorry no" "How about Chris, a surfer dude?" "No, sorry again" "OK, what's your name, people seem to come and go around here in Montauk" " I'm Devon" "Thank you Devon, I'll be seeing you soon" With that I received my key and started to head to the second floor to find my room. I turned back to say goodbye and something did not seem right with him- He was staring at me in a suspicious way, as if he was part of some conspiracy- Yet again, my over active imagination. Up to my room I went. I opened the door and this was no Motel Montauk, this was fit for a King. I went over to a french door that led to a balcony, the sight was breathtaking, "Now this is living..."

Time to explore. I passed Devon with a nod, he steadfastly followed me with his eyes as I headed out the door of the Manor. I was still in awe and just impressed with all the architecture and grandeur of the place, you can tell someone really wanted to make a statement with this place. I walked over to my car and opened my door but before I got in I noticed a path to a lookout point on the west side of the Hotel and took it. I scanned the vista, the train station, the bay, this is all lovely but not the reason I'm here for. I have no leads no new info. just a few bizarre occurrences that anyone can easily explain away, I need some help. I went back to my car and decided to travel back into town for some ideas. I parked along main street and began walking. I could really use a town historian or someone who knows the place well... I stopped in a coffee shop and decided to ask around. I was helped by a young girl, pretty, looked a bit ditsy, maybe she knows something, I doubt it, but it's worth a try " Hi, I'll have a black coffee and a piece of that cake there" "Sure, coming right up"  "Listen, who could I talk to if I wanted to get first hand history of Montauk, the unwritten stuff, you know?" " Well, let me see., you could go to the library, maybe the historical society..." "No, I'm looking for the stuff not in the books..."  "My boy friends dad might know something. He's lived here all his life and his dad as well and his dad before him..." "Where can I find him?" "Not a good idea" "Why?" "You're not from around here I can tell, and they don't take kindly to strangers, also he is a bit of a bear-people are sure scared of him but not me" "I'll take my chances" "OK, don't say I didn't warn you. Go to the Harbor, ask around for Marcus, Marcus Grey, good luck."  OK, I thought, at least it's something, who knows, maybe this "Marcus" will know something, possibly "Legend and Lore", it's worth the in-hospital reception I'm sure to receive.

Heading to the harbor.
Montauk has a strong fishing industry and by the looks of these tired old boats you can tell they know the sea... The dock was run down and haggard-one misstep and into the dark green murky salt water you would go. The air stunk of rotting fish, the seagulls were constantly squawking and men were busy on their boats getting ready for a sail or having returned from a sail breaking down the days work. Who could I talk to? Not a single fisherman seemed approachable and no one stopped to bother with a lost tourist. I need to come back later in the evening, maybe this Marcus would stop in at the local pub for a drink. Later that evening I returned, I found the local pub at the Harbor, or should I say the dive at the harbor and went in. No surprise, all eyes were fixed on the "Non Local", me. I felt uncomfortable but went to the bar anyway, I sat down. "What can I get ya?" "I'll have a rum and coke please" "Jack Daniels coming right up", "That will work too..." " Do you know where I can find a Marcus Grey?" The barkeep looked at me as you would someone who was in danger - his round spectacles and his burnt out appearance gave the impression he might care about a stranger who was about to walk into the lion's den. "What for?" he looked around and leaned closer to me, and whispered "Don't mention that name to anyone else around here unless you want trouble" Someone at the bar turned to me and said "Hey Buddy, is that your ride out there?" I looked out the window and saw my car being hooked up to a tow truck....I ran out the door "Stop!!!" Too late, they took my car. "bastards!" I went back into the pub. "Tough break", said the stranger that alerted me at the bar, and began laughing and couldn't stop. Man, that's rubbing salt in my wound...I called a taxi to take me to the village, I was steaming and a bit nervous; Was someone messing with me?

The cab dropped me off at the village Police, apparently that's the place to find my car. " Hello, my car was towed just a few minutes ago", "Come back in the morning...Sir" Said the gruff Sargent at the front desk-"You don't understand I need my car back", " You don't understand, come back tomorrow!" He was agitated. I raised my voice, I don't know why, "You better....!!!" " I better what?" He turned away and just then I heard a loud crash behind me and then a clipboard went flying through the air and struck the officer in the back of the neck drawing blood "OK, that's it, hands behind your back!" "But I didn't do that!" I was locked up and put in a holding pen along with a couple of other unfortunates. I sat down next to the least intimidating of the two. He was an older man, stank of alcohol, a bit scraggly with a really long beard complete with crumbs. Maybe he was a Hatfield maybe a McCoy he spoke to me;  "What you in for?" "I don't know" I said, "Yes, same here dang nab it. SINCE when it is a crime to have a couple of drinks!(Talking loudly in the direction of the officers) Well that and urinating in the middle of the square, I should have rethought that one..." "Sorry Old Timer, I'm here because I was looking for a man, Marcus, ever hear of him?" "Yes. Be thankful you didn't find him and that you're in jail. I hope you didn't go around asking for him? Don't matter now, I'm sure he'll come looking for you", "Please save your scary stories...", "We'll if getting away with murder and having a few people disappear under suspicious circumstances don't scare you I don't know what would ...",  "I don't want any trouble, all I wanted..." "Wanted what?" "Was to ask him about a stranger that saved my life...some call him the Montauk Man". "Why didn't you say so!" "Listen, bail me out and I'll tell you everything you need to know about the legend and Montauk itself. Maybe this way you'll get the hell out of town before Marcus finds you..." "By the way, where are you staying?" " "The Montauk Manor" " Get out of there! You're in great danger my friend!" "C'mon old man, I'll bail you out but I'm not leaving the Montauk Manor, it's a place worth dying for! (Pun not intended)" "Be careful what you wish for...". I posted bail for the both of us and there we were in front of the police station.

Copyright Lewis Portal

Stay tuned for Part 4

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