About the Book
"The North Fork from A to Z" began as game with my three young boys: “Can you name something you love about the North Fork that begins with the letter A? B? C?” and so forth. Some letters were easier than others (F for farmstands, fishing, fish markets, ferries and food trucks); others were trickier (“XOXO” counts as a word, right?!). The result is a collection of images and experiences - some very personal in nature - that capture our relationship with the North Fork.
I have no prior experience in photography, blogging, or self-publishing. Most of the photos were taken on my iPhone, and any typos can be blamed on my own editing skills. The North Fork doesn't require a professional to make it look, sound or feel idyllic. It's just that special of a place.
I hope that through this book you, too, will enjoy the wonder, charm and joy I have tried to capture in the pages.
Cate Shainker
A is for apples
Autumn in the North Fork is the quintessential time and place for apple picking. Farms teem with U-Pick apples, hot apple cider and harvest-themed games. Being city-dwellers, nothing feels more freeing than heading to the East End for a day of running around the orchards, climbing trees, and picking apples. People of every age turn into wholesome, free-spirited children around apple trees. When I’m ready to morph from a child into a domestic goddess, I head to the kitchen to transform our bounty into apple pies, doughnuts and applesauce. Yum!
B is for beaches
No white sand and turquoise waters here! Instead, the North Fork’s beaches are rich in rough edges, polished rocks, endless shells, and character. To step onto the beaches here is to step into another world, distinctly shaped by an ice age. This is the place for bonfires, sunsets, rock collecting, exploring, and taking in deep breaths.
Z is for zinnias...and other blooms
From Zinnias to Azaleas, fresh flowers abound. When the sun is out, a new blossom reveals herself each day.