Mother Nature is angry this year. She keeps circling all around us, but she continues to keep us safe. I don’t know if this made the national news, but Rhode Island had a tornado – the strength of which this area hasn’t seen since the 80’s. And where were we? In its path, of course. On a train this time, excited about a day trip to Boston. We never made it to Boston. Tornado came through, downed power lines on the tracks, and our train reversed direction – we were forced to disembark in Providence. Our unplanned day trip to Providence was fun!
OK. Time for a quiz. Multiple choice. Are we in (A) The state of Rhode Island or (B) The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations? Today, (A) is the correct answer. But, three years ago (yes, just three short years ago), (B) was the correct answer. From 1790 up until 2020, this was The State Of Rhode Island And Providence Plantations. Yep, on the letterhead and the state seal. RI voters approved a 2020 amendment to remove And Providence Plantations. And Providence Plantations??? What the heck! I feel lied to. Learning all the states and their capitals, sheesh! The smallest state in the union used to have the longest name. What else did the teacher leave out? Am I the only one who didn’t know this?
Another fun fact about Rhode Island. We all know it’s tiny, but it really is SO VERY tiny! Do you realize it’s only 37 miles wide x 48 miles long (we used to do bike rides farther than that!), and yet it boasts almost 400 miles of coastline. There are a lot of sailboats in the harbors. Harbors with sailboats feel so peaceful.
We’ve been camped outside of Newport, RI this past week. A ritzy little beach town that reminds me of Santa Barbara. Newport was the playground of the rich & famous during the Gilded Age (1870 to 1910). Newport is where all that new money, with its gold leaf and lavish lifestyles, was on full display. Newport has preserved, and opened for tours, 11 historic Gilded Age summer cottages (AKA mansions). 50,000 sq ft. 80,000 sq ft. 120,000 sq ft. For a summer cottage. To be used a few weeks a year. I would be happy with any one of those cottages. Me, having tea, with the Vanderbilt’s, the Morgan’s and the Rockefeller’s. Yep… happy! I was born a hundred years too late!
Today we’re off to Connecticut. The final state in the New England portion of our adventure. And while Pete is watching football this fall, I’m going to be tuning into HBO’s The Gilded Age, filmed in some of those Newport summer cottages, and dreaming of the life I could have had!
WOW WOW WOW what a trip you two have had! We hope to see some of where you have been in New England this fall. Minus the Tornado!!
Stay safe and well out there.
I’m starting to see news stories about the fall color up here. It is going to be so beautiful. I hope your timing catches it in full display!
Sounds wonderful except for the tornado. Didn’t know about the long RI name either. Loved your pix. Went to Newport jazz festival once & toured 1 of the mansions when they were decorated for Christmas holidays another year. Beautiful! But my favorite was Cliff Walk. What a view!!! I’m sure you heard that scenes from Rosecliff mansion were in the Great Gatsby & True Lies. Be safe!
Hi Shirl. Hope you are doing great. Hi to Jan. I can’t imagine those mansions decorated for Christmas. OMG. It must have been so beautiful. I will need to add Great Gatsby and True Lies to the list of movies to re-watch. Now that I know to look for the mansions. I also loved the Cliff Walk, although it was pretty crowded with tourists (like me!).
Thought the same about great Gats y….always loved that movie and hate I missed those parties. I wondered where it was filmed and now I know…a rewatch is in order!
If we can meet up in Florida, we can rent The Great Gatsby, make popcorn and have a watch party!
Did you find the Blick Art Material store in Providence? I had a work trip to Boston and then took the train to Providence to visit the store. From there rented a car and spent the weekend in Newport. Fun times and your pictures brought back some fun memories of the town and those mansions.
I think Providence is the one Blick store I did not find! 🙂 This area is so fun, and everything is so close. Have a great vaca in Breckinridge!
Great post. I didn’t know that either!! Keep on -keeping on!! 🩵❤️🩵❤️
Hi Jeanne. I see by your comments that you spent the afternoon reading my blog! 🙂 Love it! Thanks for all the fun comments. This area is so amazing – we have really enjoyed New England.
I had no idea and I feel cheated. I must contact my old school teacher and complain! The area looks amazing. I think you should stay a bit longer. This is the time of year to enjoy the area. Are there any bike or hiking paths? you didn’t mention anything like that.
Hi E. Rhode Island was wonderful. Expensive. But it had a nice feel about it. Especially Newport. We didn’t get a chance to explore by bike. There was a really nice walking path along the waterfront, called the Cliff Walk. I enjoyed that!
Not sure how I missed this blog….and I’m with you roomie…what else did they leave out?
And I was meant for the gilded age as well….will have to check out this series…..and I see you like those old iron staircases too! So artistic!
.I have friends with a sail boat and they’re members of the New York Yacht club which, wait for it…is another lie, Because it’s not in NY it’s in Newport RI.
It’s simply lovely and I love that they play taps every night at 8 pm when they lower the American flag and take it down. Regardless of where you are nd what you’re doing, everyone stands up in reverence while the flag is lowered.
Not sure what they play in the morning when they raise the flag as I was alwys sleeping at first light, but I’m sure it was equally fabulous!
Who is the angry young man who had his shocked face frozen in stone? And what was he upset about?
Seems RI is full of a lot of things that aren’t exactly what they seem! 🙂 I can definitely picture you and me, having tea and playing tennis with all our friends, retiring to our huge cottages at night! Remember when we used to dress up and go to the outdoor jazz bar and try to drink underage? It reminds of me that! We’d be good at being filthy rich! That guy with the snarly face is from one of the mansions, the Elms, I believe. There was a whole fountain of devils with different facial expressions. Glad you are caught up on the blogs! Don’t want you to miss out!