Braved the traffic and headed into Queens so I could hike Cunningham Park’s Southeast Preserve. The preserve used to have a National Recreation Trail, but I think that became two different and intersecting paths. I made a two-mile loop hike and saw vernal pools and thick forests. The preserve is sizable, and it’s secluded from the other parts of the park. Felt a bit unsafe, though nothing bad happened.
Headed back into the traffic and northeast to Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge in Huntington. Drove past some 1%-looking mansions up there. The refuge had some nice trails with two beach access points where you can see a glacial erratic in the water.
Nearby Oyster Bay NWR was next. All I could do was look at it while I drove by since there is no access except via boat. I include a blurry photo taken from the car.
Last stop today was Sagamore Hill and Theodore Roosevelt’s mansion/grounds. Teddy and his family lived here for 34 years, and the home served as a meeting place for worldwide leaders and politicians during Roosevelt’s presidency. Walked the woods where the family used to stroll.
