The north fork of Long Island is a real jewel of a place. Farmland, vineyards, diners, thrift shops, mansions, shacks, cattails, prickly pear cactus, and some mighty warm ocean water. Don't let the proximity to the Hamptons cloud your mind. Apples and oranges, my friends. Yes, there's a lot of money. Yes, there are big houses. But there ain't no glitz and glam. It's wine, beets, and fresh cut lavender.At the end of the North Fork is Orient Beach State Park, which boasts 45,000 feet of frontage on the bay. The forest along the beaches are beautiful, filled with cedar and cactus and piping plovers. And getting to the beach? It's as good as it gets. Endless amounts of fresh food being sold on the highway that was picked forty feet away.It's a little bit of a hike to get out there but well worth it. Take the LIRR early in the morning to Greenport with your bike. Don't forget your permit. When you get off at Greenport, poke your head around a little bit. When your belly's full, go north on Main Street to 25 and head east until you can't head east no longer. The ride is about five miles, but if you don't want to go the whole distance, take a left or a right just about anywhere and you'll find small mazes of aromatic back roads that will eventually lead you somewhere you won't want to leave.MP3 - Youngbloods - Sugar Babe (Thank Your Rising Storm)Youtube: Johnny Cash + Joni Mitchell - Girl Of The North Country