Big fun in the Littlest State

Sunday, a day of rest. We are taking a day to enjoy the sound of rain hitting the roof accompanied by kids laughing as they ride their bikes downhill in the rain. So, this begins the countdown to our departure from Whispering Pines Campground. Wednesday is D-day (not a WWII reenactment, D as in departure).

Rhode Island has several scenic bike paths so John and I chose Blackstone River Path and away we went for 20 miles or so. It was a lovely 20ish miles along a tree lined path along the River.

 

Me and Rosie (my bike)

 

John and I thoroughly enjoyed our day, including a quick visit to a little museum along the path. It was the home of a mill owner and contained a lot of interesting information about the rise and fall of the mills in this region.

Halfway point of the ride

View along the route

 

 Our next adventure had us heading to Point Judith to board the Block Island Ferry. The ride to the Island is just under one hour. Block Island is a place I have always wanted to visit and it did not disappoint. It is not as developed and crowded as other more famous beach areas in New England.

Approaching the island

 

 Mohegan Bluffs

 

We brought our bikes and immediately headed up an incredibly steep hill to see the South Light House. From there we continued upward (into the wind) to Mohegan Bluffs. There are steps from the top of the Bluffs to the beach below, 150 of them. I, of course, had to head down. John, the smart one, stayed on top to enjoy the view. Next we headed to a conservation area for a short hike. The rest of the day was spent biking up hill into the wind (according to my Sweetheart) except for one exciting curvy downhill blast to head back towards the downtown. We had a delicious lunch at The Three Yellow Kittens, established 1876, which has a rustic outdoor area that served great food with a nice beach view.

 

How to top that you are wondering? How about a day in Newport, touring some of the "cottages" from the gilded age. We arrived into Newport early in the morning and took Ocean Drive for about ten miles. What a fabulous drive this is! Breath-taking views of the water and some lovely estates. Since it was early we continued into Middletown and along some gorgeous beaches there, then back to downtown Newport to get some tourist info.

  

Easton Beach, Newport, RI (me and my Brown Hoodie that fits perfectly, Doyle)

 

The Cliff Walk

 

The Breakers

 

View from the terrace of The Breakers

 All I can say about the mansion tour is TAKE IT! We toured three of these summer homes: The Breakers, Marble House and Rosecliff. Each one unique and full of history. The audio tour gives you information on everything. How the buildings came to be, who designed and decorated, stories of those who lived and worked there. 

 

Other days we explored the Hope Valley, seeing lovely towns and visiting farms and getting fresh delicious produce. The sweet corn is amazing!! WHO KNEW??? Rhode Island, for its tiny size, has a lot of wonderful things to see and do.

 

Yesterday, we left Rhode Island and headed to Mystic, CT. A little more history was in order.  

 

 

 

Mystic Seaport is a maritime museum that I went to many times as a child. My Dad LOVED this place. I remember multiple trips, always on gray rainy days, learning the history of shipping in the United States. Forty years has elapsed since last I was here and it has grown but not lost its charm. It was wonderful sharing this place with my husband. It was especially fun to do it on a bright sunny day. However, midafternoon gray clouds began rolling in and by the time we left it was raining. Probably my Dad letting me know he was pleased. 



It's Been Awhile

Hello Pals! It is hard to believe we are more than halfway through the month of July. So much has transpired since last I wrote...where to begin? Oh, I know, we are NOT in Michigan! Before I pick up where we are now, I should recap the month of June into the first part of July. To put it succinctly, it was mostly a working vacation. But still a lot of fun. Fun: Thomas and Jackie's wedding, brunch the day after the big event, Catherine's graduation party, dinner and lunches with a host of pals, a few bike rides and walks in nature, an afternoon at the beach along Lake Erie, fireworks at the Graves' home that included delicious food, a week in Chicago with Sarah and her amazing group of young men and women from St. Paul on the Lake (along with some incredible adults, Dave and Brian). That takes care of June.

Our Fabulous Team in CHI

Working hard and learning a new skill with Mr. Calcaterra

A farewell performance especially for us

 

June 30th we arrived in New York, put the Jauchmobile into storage, and spent the next two weeks with The Robertsons of Brooklyn. So much fun, so much good and healthy food, so many Olive Nubbin kisses.

Olive in her favorite environment

 

Several days were spent at Casa Clemenza helping Mara get ready to reopen the Beach House after the damage done during Super Storm Sandy. The Fourth of July was splendid. Jen and Doyle hosted a wonderful BBQ and many friends came with tasty treats. We headed up to the roof at sunset, which was magnificent, and then enjoyed the fireworks with the skyline of Manhattan as the backdrop. There was time spent at beaches and wonderful meals with friends. Then we said adios to the city that never sleeps mid-July and headed to our next destination. Hint: it is the state with the longest name yet the smallest land mass. If you said The State of Rhode Island - Providence Plantation you guessed correctly! If you are asking why Rhode Island, the answer is: why not? We are at a lovely camp ground, Whispering Pines, in the Hope Valley. The area is piney and hilly and lovely. The people who run it are obviously fans of the movie "Dirty Dancing" as the list of activities available are mind boggling. Bingo, movies, choo choo train rides for the little ones (we wave as they go past us in their engineer caps) and so much more. Tonight is the Sock Hop. We have begun exploring the state. Yesterday we spent the day in the city of Providence. 

 The Providence River

 

 Entrance to the State Capital

 

 Historic Home(one of many) along Benefit Street

 

 Plaque on home pictured above





We hit the Swan Point Cemetery where H.P. Lovecraft is buried, Rhode Island School of Design, a little bit of Brown University, Federal Hill (Providence's Little Italy, little as in teeny-tiny) in addition to the sites pictured above. Today we do our nature thing with a long bike ride and picnic. Who knows, there may be a Sock Hop in our future. Until next time...