August 11-21                     North Kingstown and Providence, Rhode Island

We had consecutive days for almost a week of lovely cool weather with little wind.  Perfect time to take the boat out to the bay but—an engine exhaust problem kept us at the dock.  We sadly watched others leaving and returning from trips to Block Island and places on Long Island and listen to their reports of great days on the water.  We are still waiting on the repairs to our disabled engine.

For several days, we have watched the progress of Hurricane Erin as it moved toward the East Coast.  On August 19, the weather changed and we experienced light rain and wind.  This continued the following day and prompted us to bring umbrellas as we departed for our overnight stay in Providence.  We were celebrating our 71^st wedding anniversary.  Pretzel was being cared for by Cody and his sisters.

We had booked a Providence City Tour to experience some of the sights and history of this beautiful city.  With only six of us on the small bus, the guide was exceptionally helpful in providing insight into the diverse areas and attractions.  The large Italian area was our favorite.  We visited a neighborhood market and bakery that displayed amazing varieties of food and pastries.  Italian pride is displayed in the painting of street lines and fire hydrants in green, red and white, colors of the Italian flag.  Numerous restaurants were in the area and it is a popular busy place on weekends.

As one of the thirteen colonies, Rhode Island has a long history with its founding by Roger Williams.  The beautiful Baptist Church, oldest in America, remains a vibrant part of the city and a tribute to the efforts of Williams to support separation of church and state. We were impressed with the campus of Brown University, an Ivy League school with many notable graduates.  Situated on a hilly site overlooking the Providence River, its many buildings present diverse architectural styles surrounding a lovely grassy quadrangle.

Johnson and Wales is a highly ranked culinary arts school with a downtown campus.  Five other colleges are located in the city and the population will expand soon as the school year begins.

We had reservations for dinner at Al Forno, a highly recommended Italian restaurant.  David was not feeling well.  We booked a later time at the restaurant.  He still was not feeling well.  We missed that reservation so I made another later one at a nearby restaurant.  David rallied and we drove there but found no parking place near.  As it was raining, we did not wish to walk far.  Fortunately, we remembered a favorite place, Capriccio, only a block away with valet parking.  It was almost 9:00 and we did not have a reservation but were greeted warmly and quickly seated in their beautiful dining room.   We had a delicious dinner with great service.  Our anniversary was a lovely success!

Hurricane Erin brought wind but little rain.  As we returned to the boat, we carefully walked the dock as we observed considerable chop in the harbor.  The boat was securely tied but it was buffeted by the waves.  Fortunately, the winds decreased by midnight.  We were greeted by a lovely morning with sun and blue skies.

 

           

 

 

July 26-August 10             North Kingstown, Rhode Island

This is the height of boating season for Rhode Island and our marina is always a popular destination for boaters on Narragansett Bay.  This year there is an added attraction as we have three large yellow plastic ducks perched atop one of the central docks.  They were a gift from the marina owner to his grandchildren and everyone is enjoying the whimsical touch.  Channel 10 from Boston interviewed the grandchildren and showed the ducks on the evening news. 

Another interesting sight in the dock next to us is a beautiful 104 year old excursion boat owned by one of our boating friends.  He collects older boats and may charter this last one for parties.  It is in pristine condition and a    showstopper!

With persistence, Maria obtained reservations for the newest popular restaurant near us.  Located in a beautifully renovated diner, Il Milano seats fewer than fifty people (there is a lovely outdoor venue) and serves delicious Italian dishes.  We were pleased with the excellent food and attentive service.  The unusual, somewhat quirky setting does not detract from the upscale ambiance.    We returned the following weekend with Cecil and Bob (on the boat next to us) and dined in the garden area.  We had another lovely evening with exceptional food.

Eric Philbrook, our neighbor in Fort Worth, came to Massachusetts on business and we were delighted he accepted our invitation to the boat.  He came for drinks on the aft deck before dinner at our local favorite, Tavern by the Sea.  We were fortunate.  We had a perfect table on the deck with a lovely view, great service and wonderful food.  The weather was cool, and we enjoyed a long, interesting evening as we learned more about Eric and his experiences.  We continued for dessert on the aft deck of the boat.  Eric left the following morning to visit his mother in Portland, Maine.  We were delighted to have him visit.

August 11 is Victory Day, a state holiday commemorating the end of WWII, and will be the final day of a beautiful weekend with sunny skies and little wind.  We are enjoying hours sitting on the aft deck and watching a parade of boats, kayakers, and paddleboarders. 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

July 15-25                North Kingstown, Rhode Island

We welcomed an invitation for lunch on John and Maria’s beautiful Hatteras boat.  Donna, Maria’s aunt and godmother, was their guest and we spent considerable time discussing her interesting life (she was for thirty plus years an ER nurse in Alexandria, Virginia) and books we liked or did not.  She is a voracious reader and had many recommendations.  Lunch was a casual affair with an assortment of snacks and pizza. 

David spends hours each month making food for Pretzel.  She is a very spoiled dog and eats better food than is available to many children.  He usually mixes six pounds of ground turkey, six cans each of cut green beans and cut carrots with four cups of cooked rice.  The cooked mixture is then divided into plastic containers and frozen for convenient use.  Pretzel loves it and will seldom eat anything else

We attended an outdoor concert at the beach only a few blocks from our marina.  We had new canvas folding chairs for seating comfort and enjoyed a picnic dinner before the performance.  The show was deightful with a Rhode Isloand version of country music.  It was fun watching small chidren (and some eager elderly couples) dancing in front of the stage.  The weather was cool and pleasant.  A delightful evening.

We were pleased to greet Greg and Julie Galier, cousins from Dallas, at Providence airport.  Greg immediately mentioned his longing for lobster, oysters and blueberry pie.  We anticipated this and had all of it ready for dinner on the aft deck.  The following day they took our car to Newport to follow the Cliff Walk (more strenuous than expected) and tour the expansive Marble House, one of the renowned mansions.  As fans of the series The Gilded Age, they were eager to locate sites and know about persons portrayed in the show. 

We spent the following day touring the Narraganset beach area followed by a farewell dinner at Blu on the Water in East Greenwich.  Julie and Greg enjoyed large lobster rolls.  Greg photographed them to show envious friends at home.  On Saturday morning, we drove to Kingston train station for their departure to New York.   They would meet Tripp, their son on summer break from studies at Seton Hall University in Orange, New Jersey.  Unfortunately, there was a ticket mishap and we learned they had to wait several hours to take another train.  We later had a video from them showing they were celebrating at the revolving rooftop bar at the Hyatt Times Square. 

 

 

 

 

 

July 7-14      North Kingstown, Rhode Island

We needed extra help on the boat for cleaning inside and outside.  Cody, the fourteen-year-old grandson of the marina owner needed a summer job.  He now comes weekly to wash down the boat, clean the aft deck, vacuum and perform any other chores.  He is very eager to learn and I enjoy working with him.  I taught him to make square corners on bed sheets and he was excited to show his mother his new skill.  He likes to have spending money and I like to have his help.

On Wednesday, I took Pretzel to a dog groomer in Exeter (about 25 minutes from the boat).  She did an excellent job and Pretzel has a lovely short summer cut.  While waiting, I had a delicious lunch at The Middle of Nowhere Diner, a quintessential small-town diner with older waitresses and home style cooking.  I had scrod baked in butter and covered in crushed Ritz crackers.  Absolutely wonderful!

I then  made a trip to Dave’s for scrod and Ritz crackers.  On Friday evening, we hosted John and Betsie for dinner on the aft deck.  The scrod dish was served and was just as delicious as I remembered it to be.  We enjoyed learning about their recent trip to Slovenia and Croatia.  They will go in February to Kenya for a family safari.  Great world travelers in addition to showing their boat at the Newport Boat Show in September.

David chauffeured Maria, her friend Jen and me to the park for the Wickford Art Show.  It was an amazing display of talent and creativity.   Both Maria and Jen are craftsy and were eager to study new techniques in jewelry making and painting.  I admired the work of others.

We celebrated John Carpenter’s birthday on Saturday with dinner at Matunuck Oyster Bar in their beautiful temporary location.  Only days before Memorial Day, their large and extremely popular restaurant burned.  With more than 300 employees ready for the summer season, the owner performed a miracle.  On the parking lot across from the burned building, he raised a large, beautiful tent with a wooden floor, special lighting, and accommodation for several hundred diners.   With a reduced menu of favorites and a full staff of employees, the restaurant was open July1.  As expected, customers were delighted to experience again some of the best seafood in Rhode Island.

 

           

 

           

 

 

 

 

June 22-July 6           North Kingstown, Rhode Island

Rainy days kept us inside the boat and limited outdoor activities.  No problem as we always have projects to complete.   Finally, the weather cleared and we went to Newport with our dock neighbors, Bob and Cecil.  We had a lovely dinner at the historic White Horse Tavern.  It is renowned for its history (dated from 1600’s) and excellent food.  Much of the building is original and carefully restored to maintain its colonial charm. 

We were excited to greet Kennedy and Taft, grandchildren from Fort Worth, at Wickford Station on July 2.  With bay scallop seviche, streamed lobsters and deliciously sweet corn, we had a feast on the aft deck.  Of course, blueberry pie and ice cream were dessert.  We treat our guests well!

Wickford has the finest children’s shop in Rhode Island (won the award as such) and was the perfect place to shop for our greatly anticipated granddaughter to arrive in December.  So many choices!  Kennedy finally selected a pale blue dress with matching cap and pants and a lovely pink onesie.  Both were wrapped and will be saved for the baby shower in the fall.

A late lunch-early dinner for us was on the deck of The Coast Guard House where we watched the waves crashing on the rocks below and the hundreds of bathers on Narragansett Beach.  On July 4, we took the fast ferry on a special fireworks viewing cruise to Newport.  We had a picnic lunch of lobster rolls and brownies to enjoy on the trip.  The fireworks display was great with multiple bursts of colors lighting the harbor.  Kennedy and Taft returned to Newport on July 5 to explore the famous Cliff Walk which borders the sea behind many of the historic mansions.  On their return, we had a farewell dinner at Tavern on the Sea in Wickford.  On Sunday, Taft expertly drove us to Boston Logan Airport.  They were gracious, thoughtful guests and made the holiday special and fun for us. 

On our return from Boston, we visited our dear friend Jill who lives in a BEAUTIFUL      townhouse in Camden.  We were delighted to meet Patch, a lovely black and white cat that rules the place.  She seemed to like us and we were allowed to bestow on her pats and praise.  Jill is a talented craftsman and her home is filled with interesting and unique items, many of her own making.  Her lovely deck overlooks a pond and she has a diversified group of animals and birds that visit.  We shared memories of Jerry, a dear friend and her beloved longtime companion as we admired a small table skillfully crafted by him.  Lunch at Del Frisco Grille and was a great choice.  We celebrated with coconut cream pie for dessert.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 3-June 21                   North Kingstown, Rhode Island

Living on our boat has been one of the great joys of our lives.  Although we rarely cruise, we enjoy being near the water and being part of an active marina life.  Friends we have made through the years are nearby and we share cruising stories.  Boaters are adventurous and interesting people who often have had diversified careers and lives.  We are fortunate to have found such friends here in the marina and look forward to being with them.

Maria Carpenter and I made a trip to the beach near Point Judith to get summer passes.  The clean expanse of sand and the churning surf was  catalyst for swimmers and sunbathers.    Rhode Island has many beaches which are kept beautifully maintained with facilities and lifeguards.   We are fortunate to have a lovely beach within walking distance of our marina.  It hosts free summer concerts in the summer.

Hydrangeas are in bloom.  Everywhere we see large bushes of blue flowers.

Afterwards, we had lunch at the recently re-opened Two-Ten Oyster Bar in Wakefield.  A devastating fire had closed the business most of last year and it was missed by loyal customers (including us).   With a beautifully decorated interior and superb food, the restaurant was a highlight of our trip.  We enjoyed sitting on the deck watching the lovely marina scene.

Several days later, we joined Maria and John for dinner at Beech in Jamestown.  The food and ambience were outstanding.  Elegantly casual.  We are always delighted to spend time with Maria and John and look forward to seeing them often this summer.  As they have a large family nearby, their time is often taken with hosting children and grandchildren on their beautiful 60’ Hatteras boat.

Jill Cohen, our boating friend who lives in Canton outside of Boston, came on Saturday, June 21 for a long-anticipated visit.  Earlier plans to come had to be cancelled due to rain.  We had a lovely cool day to welcome Jill to the aft deck to watch the parade of boats leaving the harbor and to drink mimosas.  Pretzel immediately attached herself to Jill and was content to sit in her lap and be stroked and petted.  Afterwards, we enjoyed lunch at Two-Ten (it could become a habit) and learned about Jill’s new interest in making pottery.  Her ceramic birdhouse with yellow feet was charming!  We reluctantly said goodbye and made plans to visit again soon.

 

 

 

 

 

May 30-June 2                    New York City

When we learned the Frick Collection was re-opening after a four-year renovation, we were eager to make a trip to New York.  The Frick has always been one of our favorite museums.  Located in a magnificent mansion on Fifth Avenue, it houses a priceless collection of paintings and sculptures.  We made careful plans to stay at the Warwick Hotel (a great location), bought tickets to the museum and made reservations for dinner at a lovely nearby hotel on our first evening.  We would experience for the first time the train ride from Kingston (only 20 minutes from the boat) to Penn Station.

To our delight, Stephanie and Joe decided to join us for the weekend.  They would stay conveniently across the street at the Hilton.  Traveling with nonagenarians means you are subjected to a lot of care and responsibility—but they willingly and graciously signed up for it.  They met us at Penn Station and assisted us to the hotel.  The bar at the Warwick was a great place to visit and plan.  Dinner was in the lovely Whitby Hotel restaurant.

On Saturday, we found long lines at the entrance to the Frick Collection, but we were pleased to receive preferential treatment as David had requested wheelchair assistance.  The galleries were crowded but we were able to slowly peruse the art works and admire the fabulous porcelain floral arrangements on display.  For the first time, the second floor of the mansion was open and held additional art works. 

Afterwards, we had a late lunch at The Boathouse in Central Park and enjoyed delicious food and watching the efforts of the many rowers attempting to make their way across the lake without hitting other boats.  None seemed to be very skilled.  We rode pedicabs from the restaurant back to the hotel.  A fun experience!

That evening we saw the musical Six on Broadway.  Very talented performers worked hard to sing and dance in an unusual portrayal of the lives of the six wives of Henry VIII.  Joe and Stephanie met us afterwards for dinner at Il Corso, a small Italian restaurant with exceptional food.    We had a busy, fun and very long day.

David planned brunch on Sunday for us at the Peninsula Hotel.  It was an elegant setting with lovely music and outstanding food choices.  We felt very special!  Afterwards, we took the Big Bus Tour of Manhattan.  It was a great opportunity to admire the architectural diversity and the varied neighborhoods of the city.  The 911 Museum with its sweeping white wings was amazing and we were also awed by Little Island, a public park of shrubbery and trees planted in concrete tulip shaped pods in the Hudson River.

Our final dinner of the trip was at Benoit, a lovely French restaurant near our hotel.  Every meal was accompanied by dessert (David insisted) and all were exceptional.  Dieting comes later. 

We met for breakfast at Murals in the Warwick to see the historic murals on the walls and enjoy their food choices.  Afterwards, we left for Penn Station, bade farewell to Joe and Stephanie (headed for LaGuardia), and eventually boarded our train for home.  It had been a great trip!