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A sunflower at Biophilia Organic Farm in Jamesport. Spotted on June 28, 2015. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)

There is quite a bit of white stuff on the ground and the forecast is calling for more snow tonight with a frigid weekend to follow.

But we’re turning our thoughts to lush grape vines, ripe tomatoes and outdoor concerts.

Here are 10 photos of summer on the North Fork to distract you from the cold outside this afternoon.

Remember, only 111 days until Memorial Day!

A shot from the Coecles Harbor Marine Trail. (Credit: Skye Gillispie)
A shot from the Coecles Harbor Marine Trail. (Credit: Skye Gillispie)

Last summer, our intern Skye Gillispie strapped on a GoPro and took a paddle board to the Cocecles Harbor Marine Trail located off Shelter Island. Read more about her adventure here.

Syrah grapes at Jamesport Vineyards. (Credit: Vera Chinese)
Syrah grapes at Jamesport Vineyards. (Credit: Vera Chinese)

In early August, some of the red grapes start to turn from a floral green to a deep purple. The process, known as veraison, marks the beginning of the ripening process. Within a month, the harvest of certain varietals will begin.

A scene from South Jamesport Beach on July 28, 2015. (Credit: Vera Chinese)
A scene from South Jamesport Beach on July 28, 2015. (Credit: Vera Chinese)

We spotted this sea monster off the shores of South Jamesport Beach in late July. Located on Peconic Bay, the Riverhead Town beach is one of our favorites.

Here's the scene from the East Marion Causeway in June. It's worth a stop to take a pic every time you pass it. (Credit: Vera Chinese)
The East Marion Causeway. (Credit: Vera Chinese)

Here’s the scene from the East Marion Causeway in June. It’s worth a stop to take a pic every time you pass it.

Credit: Stanley Siejka
Credit: Stanley Siejka

Reader Stanley Siejka, 61, a retired Grumman air traffic control supervisor, was taking a leisurely morning stroll to Kenney’s Beach when he spotted a glimpse of the Sound through the dunes.

“[I was] just checking out our beach at the end of my road,” he said in an email. “[I was] admiring the moment and froze it in time.”

We love it!

Credit: Grant Parpan.
Credit: Grant Parpan

Our executive editor, Grant Parpan, snapped a pic of this classic English car during a Wading River sunset last June. The sunset was unreal.

Credit: Kendall Stark
Credit: Kendall Stark

A trip to Lavender by the Bay in East Marion is a must during a North Fork summer. The smell and sight of the sea of purple is unmatched.

Credit: Vera Chinese
Credit: Vera Chinese

There is nothing quite like wine tasting among the ripe vines on a beautiful day. Although not technically summer (we snapped this photo in late May 2015), we enjoyed our day sipping this bottle of Clovis Point chardonnay.

Credit: Katharine Schroeder
Credit: Katharine Schroeder

One of our favorite weekly summer events is Dances in the Park in Greenport. The event is family-friendly, free and always draws a great crowd. The night depicted in the photo above had a nice bonus in that the Tall Ships Festival was being held that week.

Credit: Monique Singh-Roy
Credit: Monique Singh-Roy

Our absolute favorite crop grown on the North Fork is beautiful, flavorful heirloom tomatoes. This batch from Long Season Farms in Aquebogue was simply divine!

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