A soggy start to Memorial Day did not stop some New Yorkers from heading to Rockaway Beach in Queens. NY1's Roger Clark filed the following report.
At a time when people would already be fighting for spots on the beach, there was plenty of land available at Beach 94th Street Monday morning. That was OK with a group of ladies celebrating their friend's impending nuptials.
"It's gorgeous now. We're really happy. No one's here. We got the beach to ourselves," said one member of the group.
So on a day that's wasn't quite a beach day at all to start, some folks still wanted to be here for Memorial Day.
"It's not too bad. Not too hot. Not too cold. You can enjoy the day," said one beachgoer.
The weather was fine for the dogs getting some exercise on the sand, a guy searching for treasures and the surfers hitting the waves, of course. They are out here pretty much anytime, any weather.
"It's just fun," said one surfer. "You're just having fun, really, in the water. Even if you can't stand on the board, it's actually still fun to tumble and get a little roughed up by the sea. So it's OK."
Probably better if you have a wet suit. The waters were a little chilly this early in the season. But there's a trick to handling that, if you dare.
Beachgoer: Once you jump in, you get used to it. The hardest part is to just jump in.
Clark: And after that, you are OK?
Beachgoer: Yes, then you are good.
For some Rockaway residents NY1 talked with, it's not so bad having a quieter Monday after two great weather days on Saturday and Sunday of the holiday weekend.
"It was insane. We saw thousands of people," said one resident. "So I think resting on a Monday is a win for the locals. I think so."
And a good day not to leave the peninsula if you live here.
"Why drive to a beach when you've got a beach right here? Why torture yourself?" said one resident. "I'm on a staycation today."
And it's pretty easy to stay when you have a beach as your backyard.