Several upcoming hikes and paddles are ideal for those who want to take advantage of the late summer and early fall weather outdoors.
The Southampton Trails Preservation Society will offer a sunset kayak trip on Saturday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to explore Bullhead Bay, Ram Island, and Peconic Bay. Paddlers will need their own kayaks, paddles, and life jackets, and should take a sandwich and beverage with them for an "on the water" dinner break. Rain will cancel the event. Richard Ruffner will lead the tour, which starts at the end of West Neck Point Road in Southampton. Mr. Ruffner's phone number is 631-234-6100 for questions.
The South Fork Natural History Museum and Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt will host a free full "harvest" moon hike on Monday at 7:30 p.m., with Dai Dayton in the lead. Only 25 people can join in this one, and preference will be given to members of the friends group. Registration is by emailing greenbeltnews@aol.com.
Looking ahead to Sept. 25, SoFo is organizing a nature and birdwatching cruise aboard Stony Brook Southampton's Peconic research vessel. A naturalist from the university's School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences will lead the excursion, which runs from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Binoculars and a light snack are suggested. The trip costs $40, or $35 for museum members. It is for adults, but children 10 and over may attend. Registration is by emailing info@sofo.org or by calling the museum.
Also on Sept. 25, Carol Andrews will lead a three-mile hike for the East Hampton Trails Preservation Society through the "rolling terrain of the cathedral-like forests" in the Stony Hill Preserve and surrounding areas. The hike steps off at 10 a.m. and participants can park on Red Dirt Road just under a quarter mile east of Accabonac Road. Ms. Andrews can be reached at andrews81@optonline.net for questions.
Another group paddle through the Southampton Trails Preservation Society will be on Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. Starting at the Munn Point Boardwalk in Southampton Village, kayakers will go from the waters off Meadow Lane to Old Fort Pond. Life jackets are required. Vincent Scerbinski is the leader and can be contacted at 631-287-2713.
