20 Things to Do Before Memorial Day in the Hamptons: Hunt for Sea Glass
Memorial Day (Monday, May 30) and the official start of the East End’s busy summer season is around the corner, so now’s the time to take advantage of all the special things that will be nonexistent or difficult to enjoy in the Hamptons once the crowds arrive from points west.
The 2016 countdown of things to do before Memorial Day in the Hamptons kicks off with:
#20: Hunt for Sea Glass
All locals know that Hamptons beaches become a lot busier when tourist season begins. Parking gets complicated: Do you have a sticker for this beach or that beach? Will parking even be available at the beach you are permitted to visit? Will a secluded spot be available without walking a mile?
Who needs it, right? But if you live in the Hamptons, it’s more than likely you enjoy the sand and sea, so take advantage of it while you can. Right now, our beaches are wonderfully desolate, parking is never an issue, and the already challenging to find sea glass—or beach glass if you prefer—is ripe for the picking!
It may seem like a small thing, but hunting for sea glass adds a sporting element to long walks on the beach, especially if you take them with a friend or loved one, and it’s a lot harder to find when hundreds of visitors are kicking up sand or picking up the green, brown, white and (rarely) blue treasures.
Head out to your favorite beach, take a walk and see what you find. It’s a great excuse to get some sand between your toes, and the search can be even more fun if you assign points for size, quality and color. As you stroll along the shore, train your eye to search through piles of washed up rocks and shells, but don’t be fooled by clear quartz pebbles—if it’s shaped like a potato or a wad of Silly Putty, it’s probably not glass.
Here’s a loose points system you can follow:
Clear sea glass: 1 point
Green sea glass: 2 points
Brown sea glass: 3 points
Dark blue sea glass: 10 points
Red sea glass (or equally crazy color): 20 points
Add 1 point for pieces over an inch. Add another point for glass bearing embossed markings or a bottle’s lip. And only count true sea glass that’s completely frosted and no longer has any sharp edges—the partially tumbled stuff should be returned to the sea, while regular broken glass and/or beer bottles should be collected and dumped in a parking lot trashcan.
On that note, and if sea glass isn’t your thing, bring a bag and pick up trash while you walk. It’s another activity to keep you busy and it’s a wonderful thing to do for the community and the environment. Even better? Pick up sea glass AND garbage.
Come back tomorrow for #19 in our 20 Things to Do Before Memorial Day in the Hamptons countdown.
Vetted Hamptons Resources
