Beach Day

Let's face it, it's getting harder and harder to find places where we can relax and enjoy our favorite smokes legally. And, if we DO happen to find a legal oasis to light up a Lonsdale, we're then faced with the dirty looks, dramatic coughs, ridiculous hand to face waiving, and a true moral dilemma of what to do.

Now, I try and respect those around me. I don't sit down on a bench in Central Park next to a mother breastfeeding her baby and light up a Churchill. Even though I can smoke outdoors, I think that I, along with most real cigar lovers, are sensitive to other people and their feelings when it comes to cigar smoking. BUT -- once I've nestled myself down with a nice big cigar, billowing big puffs of blue smoke down wind -- I've charted out my territory. And interestingly enough, other cigar smokers, with similar ethics and concerns, will seek out such a refuge, where they might enjoy their own cigar without the incessant nagging of others.

Yesterday, my girlfriend and I packed the cooler with fresh cold cuts and cold drinks, loaded some towels and chairs into the car and drove the 20 minutes outside of the city to Long Beach. It's a wonderful place in the summer. It lacks the craziness of some of the city's beaches, but when you're looking out into the water, you can forget that you're only a mile or two from the city limits. Of course, the 747's regularly flying over head making their approach to JFK airport is a slight reminder, but hey -- it beats frying on Central Park's Great Lawn without any relief except the occasional breeze bringing the ever-present faint aroma of horse piss. (I hope it's the horses!)

So, upon our arrival to the beach we sought out a nice little area away from any sign of pails and buckets, or picnic baskets that might indicate young kids or anyone else who might be perturbed by the wonderful aroma of a fine cigar. With blanket down, and shades on, I cut my Ashton Cabinet No. 7 and fired it up. Thank God I had found my S.T. Dupont X-Tend lighter in the bottom of my bag, since my Line 2 was WORTHLESS on the beach. Within 20 minutes… another couple set up camp about 15 feet from us downwind. I got a little nervous. I figured for sure within another inch or two from my 'gar this guy was going to play hero and tell me (the bad man with the stinky cigar) to please put it out since it was disturbing his wife. But, in fact, as soon as they were set up, he pulled out a dark cigar of some sort and fired up. Once he was puffing he looked over his shoulder and gave me the ole "thumbs up" sign like "Holy shit! We can actually enjoy these things out here!"

About an hour later, 2 gentlemen came our way...with two ladies. My smoking buddy down wind of me looked back at me with a slight look of concern, but we both were relieved to see that both guys already had stogies burning. Suddenly, we had a virtual beach-side cigar bar. As new folks, couples, and kids walked by -- no one complained, but simply found a spot away from us, and allowed us to enjoy our cigars in peace. After a little too much sun, and a few refreshing dips in the cold Ocean, we packed up and headed home...But, it truly was a perfect day at the beach!

Michael Herklots

8/4/08

1 COMMENTS

Posted by john - Aug 9 2008 @ 3:41 PM
Re: Beach Day Funny, my partner and I are both cigar smokers had a very similar experience at the beach this weekend. It seems we were the first ones to light up that day, and soon there were a few other cigar smokers here and there down the Jersey shore... Cheers!

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