On a normal Monday in a normal July, the Quinipet Camp and Retreat Center on Shelter Island would be buzzing with activity, its lodgings, spread out over 11 buildings on 25 acres, filled with sleepaway campers newly arrived for a week of technology-free summer fun, complete with multimillion-dollar views of Peconic Bay. Now those spectacular views are being offered for a not-so-hefty price tag to families looking for a different sort of retreat.

A lot of people are keeping an eye out, but from all that I've seen and heard so far this summer, the water clarity in the creeks, estuaries, harbors, and bays has been rather good.

Before the Cedar Island Lighthouse was built, whaling ships and vessels risked hidden hazards on their way into Sag Harbor, and a local captain, Joshua Penny, maintained stake lights to guide them safely past Cedar Island.