The sore thumb is an isthmus of sand and scrub on the north side of Fire Island Inlet. It is a favorite beach buggy spot where surf casters fish. On the north side of the thumb, a charming cove with flat water.

I started my walk from the Overlook, a Babylon Town Beach. My plan was a circular…east to the tip of the thumb, then along the sand road to Ocean Parkway, then west back to the Overlook.

High tide kept me close to the bluffs. A recent storm was evident from the exposed roots of beach grass, seaside goldenrod, beach plum, and bayberry. I found a dead red cedar with exposed roots. I pulled and coiled them to use in basket making, a hobby.

Small craft motored between the coast guard buoys heading out past Democrat Bar to fish. I had to be careful as I passed surfcasters whose poles were set in holders. It looked as if it didn’t matter if they fished or not. The breeze; sunshine; sand; the view; doesn’t get any better than this.

As I approached the tip of thumb, I noticed concrete pieces there were dumped here to prevent erosion. From here, fine views of Fire Island, the inlet, ocean, Great South Bay, the cove, and… the trucks.

The trucks all reminded me of the Dodge Ram commercial with a guy whose voice is the guts of the powerful engine, deep and gravelly. These trucks looked small cruise ships with grills like the teeth of a dinosaur, tires the size of Pluto, with chrome lugs shining in the sun. I felt like I was in a herd of buffalo. Tough guys behind the wheel, perched way the hell up, tattoos on their arms set against the window sill. Guys with big bellies and ice chests the size of an 18 wheeler.

I started back on the sand entrance road and noticed a big swath of yellow.

It is false heather in bloom with tiny yellow flowers only 1/8 inch in diameter. Heather came from the tundra, brought by the glacier.

It was tough walking in the deep tire treads. Enclosed by bayberry bushes and poison ivy,  I had several overhead visits of male redwing blackbirds. They were protecting nearby nests. They directly over my head and stayed there, voice warning calls.

I finally reached Ocean Parkway and headed back to the car. Trucks and cars pass me by at break neck speed. This is a major speedway. Driving at 40 MPH to enjoy the scenery, cars come up behind me right up to my bumper,  then quickly veer into the passing lane. It is dangerous driving on Long Island. I think long Island Drivers break more driving rules then anyplace else in the world  I reached the car and asked myself…Why is it called the Sore Thumb?