Shelter Island, New York: Sunday, July 4th
[photo © eugene hernandez]

In his definitive look inside the lives of those on the East End of Long Island, "Philistines at the Hedgerow," writer Steven Gaines bemoaned 4th of July in The Hamptons. Indeed, the trendy stores, country charm, snobby rich, and beautiful landscapes of The Hamptons have become a big summer draw for Manhattan-ites young and old. The streets through the small village of East Hampton, for example, fill quickly with cars and scenesters on a big weekend like this one. Don't even think about getting a table at the cool restaurant of the moment, or squeezing that hip new club. But who needs all that?

Two Mile Hollow Beach, East Hampton: Sunday, July 4th
[photo © eugene hernandez]

The best bet for those hoping for some actual downtime in the relaxing region is to simply avoid the hotspots - meals made at home and early afternoon trips to the beach guarantee a relaxing weekend. As do small outdoor parties hosted by friends, or friends of friends. Oh and on Sunday morning, don't be fooled by the quaint charms of Jackson Pollock's former favorite corner grocery, Springs General Store. The parking lot fills and the customers boil over with big-city angst and attitude, better to make that egg sandwich back at the house.

Raj & Ed's Place in Springs: Saturday, July 3th
[photo © eugene hernandez]

The real endurance test of the weekend? The trip back to NYC. The LIRR train to the city filled quickly today, with hundreds gathering at Amagansett station (the train's second stop on the far east end of the line) hoping get a seat for the journey west to Manhattan. By the time the train had made its way to pick up more riders in East Hampton, Bridgehampton, and Southampton, even a gossip columnist from a daily NYC tabloid was forced to sit on the floor in the aisle of the train as others crammed into luggage racks for the 3+ hour ride to Penn Station.

Near the end of the journey, one young Manhattan woman, who had just finished re-capping a weekend of Hamptons party-hopping to her friend, told the woman, "Later this month I think I'll need a week of vacation from all of this."

LIRR Station, Amagansett: Monday, July 5th
[photo © eugene hernandez]