Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

I feel like a real New Englander now, thanks to a trip Jim took me on today (and thanks to my in-laws for taking such good care of the girls while we were gone).  I can officially say, along with New York’s elite, that I was a “weekender in the Hamptons.”  Of course, when I say “weekender,” I mean to say we spent a few hours there; and when I say “in” the Hamptons, I mean to say we drove through while ogling the massive mansion-lined streets.  So even though I may be reaching a bit with my definitions, I can still say we had a lovely afternoon in a beautiful place. 

Here we are on one of the Hampton’s famous beaches.  We snuck onto the beach after hours and tried to peek into a few of the luxurious backyards of the oceanfront properties.  However, we were slowed down by our lack of proper beach footwear, a driving wind, and the sheer distance between the houses due to the size of the lots.  And our lack of physical fitness.  We were huffing and puffing after the first house.  Don’t I look a bit winded?     

Of course, these weren’t exactly small places we were trudging past.  Below you can see the only property we made it past on the beach, which actually included three individual structures, each entirely covered in glass along the backside.  I shuddered to think of having to clean all those windows. 

But that building really wasn’t my style.  I figure if I’m going to spend twenty or thirty million on a weekend place, I want it to look like it’s been there a couple hundred years, not like it was dreamed up by some architectural grad student who wanted to impress his professors with his daring avant-garde designs. 

No offense to architectural grad students.  I think I just don’t like flat-roofed houses.

Here is one of my favorite houses we came across in our drive.  Although I don’t know if I can classify the building as a “house.”  I guess it’s more an estate, and a jaw-dropping one at that. 

We capped off our wonderful outing to this classy neighborhood with a dinner at a classy restaurant.  Because nothing says a meal fit for the rich and famous like a burrito from Chipotle.

Okay, so maybe we’re a little too fond of fast food and chain establishments in general to be considered a blue-blooded Hamptonite.  But it was sure fun to visit!