Floating this Sunken Forest idea was a winner

When my husband, Bob, and I retired, we took on the job of visiting all the places on our bucket list. It was actually his list, but I always went along for the ride. Topping the list were elder hostels at the Grand Canyon, Chincoteague Island on Virginia’s shore, and New York City. We also flew to Hawaii and on to Alaska, where we toured Denali National Park.

I’m 94 now, and as we slowed down and reached our late 80s, we started to enjoy our adventures mostly on television, with shows such as Rick Steves’ European PBS travelogues and National Geographic nature shows. You could call us armchair travelers. The bucket list was shrinking.

I’ve lived in Baldwin since 1965, raising six children, and one Sunday nearly eight years ago, my daughter Irene suggested visiting the Sunken Forest, which can be reached by crossing the Great South Bay to Fire Island National Seashore. It was on our bucket list, but Bob didn’t think it was possible because it involved a ferry ride and walking, and he had two hip replacements. Irene, though, described it as a “hidden treasure.”

Our daughter Janet called there and learned that the last day of ranger-guided tours was coming up, so we jumped on it! Why wait another season, or another minute? Three of our adult children and one grandchild decided to accompany us the following week.

On the day of our planned visit, it was dreary and rainy, though not quite a steady rain. The weatherman predicted it would brighten by afternoon. Should we go or not go? It was raining when we met at the ferry in Sayville, so the discussion continued. And continued some more as we all boarded the almost-empty ferry.

The weather on the Great South Bay turned even uglier as it became darker and choppier the farther out we went. It was damp and chilly, and we believe that the crew radioed ahead to inform the ranger that some brave guests were coming. He greeted us with his gray slicker and wide-brimmed hat, ready to take us on our own private tour of the Sunken Forest.

It was still raining lightly as we headed off into the forest on the boardwalk, following the enthusiastic ranger. He described the origins of our surroundings and their importance. It was magical. When we reached the end of the trail, the ranger said he would go to his warm office to start some hot coffee and tea for us.

Meanwhile, we were free to proceed onto more of the trail, which looped around between the dunes in a circle back to the starting point. Upon our return, he asked if everyone was accounted for. Well, we had broken off into groups, and my husband, 84 then, fell behind, probably to “smell the roses.” Our ranger was not happy.

He quickly put his slicker and hat back on, and off he went, returning within minutes with my husband in tow. By now, the weather was better — no longer raining — as we warmed ourselves in the dry ranger station, sipping hot beverages. The gloomy weather wound up adding to the atmosphere of this special place. We never envisioned that one of our favorite bucket list experiences would be right here on Long Island.

As the ferry pulled away from the dock, with all accounted for, and our ranger aboard as well, the skies opened up again for a rainy, bumpy ride home. And we wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Reader Phyllis Reilly lives in Baldwin.