Okay, so today was suppose to be my day off. I had things I wanted to get done. One of those included the opportunity to go out to Flanders and pick up something that was uniquely from Long Island for two people on the site who have come to mean a lot to me. I am a reasonably intelligent person so it shouldn't be that hard right?

There is a reason why my nickname is "Charlie Brown". Like my character, Charlie Wagner, oh did I just give a hint where his name came from, I have no luck at all. Before I left my home I did my research on the landmark known as the Long Island Big Duck. It sits out in Flanders, NY and is a building shaped like a giant duck. It was originally built to attract buyers for a duck farm. It is now on the maps as an official site and one of a few remaining such buildings across America.

The website for the Duck reads it is open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm. I figured leaving my home a little after noon that this wouldn't be a problem. I would get there right around one or so and be able to get in and buy some things that would be special and mark it as from Long Island. This was going to be one of the corner stones in the small packages I was putting together. As the saying goes the best laid plans of mice and men. First off I arrive at five minutes after one to find a sign posted on the door that they close for lunch between one and two. For me this is not a major problem. I am just down the road from Riverhead and the Tangier Outlets. I drive over, do some quick shopping. Deciding that I don't want to spend a lot of money, I go into only one store and then leave. Seeing that I still have about a half hour yet till the Duck is due to reopen, I drive over to Borders which is in the process of closing. At the bookstore I drool over piles of books that are being discounted at up to 40% off. I very carefully pick out only two and then pay. It has been nearly an hour at this point. I drive back to the Duck.

My whole reason for going there remember is to buy something that is unique to Long Island for my two friends who live in countries far away. It is now two fifteen and guess what, no one is there. I guess the person who runs if for the county decided on an extra long lunch. After having waited, I get out of the car and snap a few pictures before heading home. I guess next time I will call before I head out and spend my day waiting for someone who isn't there. I'll try to post the pictures in the gallery shortly. Needless to say the gifts will be going out a little later than I wanted them to.