We're excited about heading to Newport, Rhode Island. While we were officially back in New England when we stayed at Pine Acres, the thought of beaches and salt water made us both happy. The roads took us through Worcester, MA and across the underside of the Commonwealth until we hit Providence and headed east towards Fall River. We didn't go over the Newport Bridge. Whew!
Hauling the Puffin is not hard when the weather is with you and for that we were lucky. 43' in windy conditions can make you nervous, very nervous and I don't care how experienced you are. Add to that the drivers who cut you off to take an exit or enter the highway leaving you to slam on the brakes could drive a person to drink. I must be pretty nervous.
We stayed at Newport RV Park in Portsmouth. The facility is a very short drive to a lot of attractions. The campground has pull through sites, a lot of different back in sites, some seasonal, cottages and they rent Airstreams if you're into that. Shady, sunny, open sites, it's a nice mixed bag. The sites in the wooded areas have a lot of space and privacy. Where we were, it was all open. It is in the Melville area that features parks and trails. Melville was an old government installation and they gave it to the state, which transformed it into a pretty place.
Our first day there, we took a hike that took us from the campground to a powerline that ran down to the bay and some railroad tracks. We followed the railroad that took us into a marina, which hosts boatbuilding. Actually, Rhode Island and the area around Portsmouth, Bristol and surrounding communities build some of the worlds best salt water craft. The marina and railroad tracks took us to an area that featured railroad cars.
Some were abandoned. One was a diner that anchored the yard, and still others were mystery and dinner trains. We thought about it and booked the Rail Explorers brunch run.
Amy Visits
I've written about Amy before. She's Julie's old college roommate and one of her closest friends. One of the things we wanted to do was the Cliff Walk, but the fog near the beach was thick and visibility was poor: dank and dreary. Instead we headed over to Green Animals, a topiary garden that's part of a chain of the mansions spread around Newport that features impeccably manicured grounds. This was an interesting place and if you like Edward Scissor Hands, I think he might have lived here before he became a hairstylist.
Afterward, we tried again to see the Cliff Walk, but the weather was still foggy so we went to a restaurant for some lunch. There were stuffed Quahogs on the menu. If you come to New England, make sure you try one of these.
The next day, after breakfast on the outdoor griddle, we tried again for the Cliff Walk. No dice, as the fog persists.
So Amy cranks it up and says let's run over to Bristol. Now I'm in back of her Lincoln and she and Julie are a riot, as the subjects come fast & furious and with no rhyme or reason. It's interspersed with belly laughs and it's infectious. We wound up at a rooftop bar that was celebrating Memorial Day, with an all girl musical trio that were pretty good. The weather was much better there. The crowd was also in a good mood and sitting there you couldn't help get wrapped up in it all. The drummer was hilarious sitting behind the two vocalist guitar players. I asked her if she minded if I could take her picture and she said sure. Look at her feet. No base drum or high hat. Just foot cymbals.
Now I'm so jazzed being at this place, with these two gals I didn't want to leave. But we did and was reminded that feeling 18 is reserved for real 18 year olds.
Afterwards we headed back to the campground, had a firepit and crashed. It was easy to fall asleep after zipping everywhere. This is the best part of camping; when your friends show up.
For a couple of days, Jeff and Martha show up in their diesel pusher and park right next to us. We met them in Naples last winter and spent enough time to deepen our friendship with them. There are a lot of similarities beween us and hanging out is easy and a lot of fun. I suppose I just made the point, but it bears repeating... the best part of camping is when friends show up.
While Julie was working, Jeff, Martha and I headed out for a hike. We trekked through the trails behind the RV park and went down some trails that I didn't know where there. Julie and I had done this originally and want to explore it some more and will. Julie got out of work and the four of us took an uber down to Sayer's Wharf to eat at The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar. This is a wonderful restaurant, where you are seated in covered, but open air spaces to take in the views of the harbor. The fish is fresh and delicious and the menu/wine list is extensive. No one rushes you and the atmosphere is very laid back. Although we'd be considered tourists, locals pack the place, which suggests it is a place to go after work for cocktails. We'd go back.
The picture of Jeff & Martha above is along the Cliff Walk. Lot's of enomous homes, a college and lawns larger than football fields. Even the garages are larger than most homes. But to tell the truth, Julie and I prefer the Maine coast, especially the Marginal Way. Allthough they're completely different in ocean side walking paths, the Marginal Way is one of our favorites.
Wait! You Ordered The Ginzu Knives?
My sister is and will continue to be a guest in the Puffin. She's joined us in New York, Virginia and Florida. And now we can add Rhode Island to the list. But this time was a bit different. My nephew wanted to come to New England to hunt down a cymbal. Jay is a musician and damned good one. He's also a sound engineer, producer and all around good guy. So he shows up on Eddie's (my sister), door the pair set out to visit specific music stores that might have what he's looking for. While all this was brewing, Julie's neice, Mackenzie was going to be in Providence. Kenzie works on research vessels that put out to sea for weeks at a time. Without a long explanation, her work is focused on environmental issues and opportunities. And within her sphere, she's damned good at it. So now this heady brew is cominng to a froth, so we head down (up?), to Providence where this eclectic assemblage will find food for the evening. Kenzie found us a nice place on Federal Hill, which is packed with Italian places and shops. Can't remember the name right now, but it appealed to everyone. So we ate. And ate.
From left... Jeremy, Kenzie, Eddie, Julie and the guy who bought the Ginzu knife set.
We had a good time and got to hear about what Jay and Kenzie were up to. It's the first time they met. Of course it was fascinating to listen to people talking for the first time that are related through our marriage. Another fun night.
We drove back to the RV park after I got lost and missed the turns that would take us there. I never exceled at walking and chewing gum at the same time and this little excursion would have earned me a detention if I was in school. It didn't matter, as my sister was on hand to substitute, It's what happens when you're the little brother.
We're Moving to Providence!
It turns out that we are headed back to Providence to join Julie's boss and her husband for dinner. And the venue was a place called Cassarino's, which was terrific. The food, service and ambiance were what you expect in a place with the name Cassarino. Seriously, this section of Federal Hill is packed tight with one restaurant after another down an open air festival that makes you want to stay and wander. Maybe after the Puffin tours of America, we'll move here.
There are no pictures of the night to share, but this I can say about our evening together. Julie, her boss and husband all worked for the same company years ago and that meant there was plenty to talk about. Where had former colleagues gone off to, who retired and even some who passed. I didn't feel left out at all and these people never gave the impression of corporate snobbery. They were simply cool and enjoyed the surroundings and meal just as much as we did. The return trip to Newport was different this time; I didn't get lost!
A few last thoughts about the highways that skirt and flow through Providence for fellow RV'ers. It's under construction in a lot of places and if you've never been there, it only takes a moment to be headed in a direction you didn't choose. Route 95, 195, 6, 44, 146, 1, 10 all get scrambled in east/west, north/south directions, which considering construction makes it a jumble to test steely nerves. Yeah, let's move to Providence.
No, They're Not Lionel's
The weekend before we pack up and head back to New Hampshire was just for Julie and I to do whatever we wanted. It began with more hiking around the Melville trails.
Later, we headed back to downtown Newport to wander in and out of interesting shops and find a place for lunch. We used an Uber to get to get there and asked the driver if he knew a good place for a lobster roll. He suggested Midtown Oyster Bar, which is a large Seafood restaurant that has an enormous bar and outside seating on an upper floor. I suspect there's a large dinner crowd, but for lunch on a weekend getting a table isn't an issue. And no, the lobster rolls were a disappointment. Over priced and underwehlming in quality/quantity, I wouldn't go there for a lobster roll. That doesn't mean everything else sucks, we just don't know. The venue is in the heart of Newport on Thames Street.
These Ain't Your Average Lionel's
Earlier I mentioned booking Rail Explorers for a Sundy brunch run. The tours have several locations, which includes New York, Kentucky, California, Iowa and perhaps more. Without hesitation, do this. It's so much fun.
The pictures don't do justice, as the scenery is spetacular. The tour sets out at around 9AM and you pedal the cart about three miles to the location where there are picnic tables, comfy chairs and tables. Brunch is a bit of a stretch. It's more like a contenental breakfast. Juice, pastries, muffins, coffee and if you want alcohol, they have canned cocktails. Julie had one and said they were horrible. Regardless, the brunch did not ruin the experience. After resting for about an hour, the carts were turned around and you head back to the station. If our travels take us to an area where there is a Rail Explorers, we'd do it. Just plain fun.
Right now, we're back in New Hampshire and don't leave until early July. Julie has submitted her resignation and has pulled her retirement trigger. It's big news for the both of us and a lot of others. More about that soon...
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