When the temperature in the city is forecast to be near 90 degrees, I do what all self-respecting NYC gay boys do – I pack up the puppy food and head out to Fire Island. Fire Island is a small barrier island off the coast of Long Island, about an hour-and-a-half drive from Manhattan. It’s famous for its two gay-resort towns, the Pines and Cherry Grove. I’ll be spending the next month and a half on the island, and this summer I plan to take in all it has to offer! I’m not talking about the Meat Rack, the legendary late night rendezvous spot in the woods between Cherry Grove and the Pines; I’m thinking of the more respectable beach adventures this lovely island paradise has to offer, like the abundant wild life, including herds of wild roaming deer – and more than a few wild late night parties – as well as such unique geographical features as the Sunken Forest, a place where the forest appears to be below sea level because of the high surrounding dunes. And in July, I’m definitely going to hit Invasion Weekend, a tradition on Fire Island dating back to the ’70s, when hundreds of drag queens from Cherry Grove “invade” the neighboring town of the Pines and hilarity always ensues. My two pups, Lucy & Desi, know exactly what their favorite part of Fire Island is – THE BEACH. Hello summer!

– AguynamedWayne