June 14-June 20           North Kingstown, Rhode Island

Boston friends, Jill and Jerry, who share with us great memories of boating at Southwest Harbor, Maine, battled heavy traffic to come for a visit and early dinner.  We seldom see them but stay in touch throughout the year and easily resume conversation when we are together.  They are the best of friends.

After a snack on the boat and time for Jill to give Pretzel much tender love and attention, we left for East Warwick and Chielo’s Waterfront Restaurant.  The place was enormous with a huge lawn filled with tables overlooking the massive marina.  As the weather was exceptionally pleasant, it was packed with a happy crowd experiencing post-pandemic euphoria.

Cool, sunny weather continued throughout the week and we felt guilty (only a little!) reading the reports of extreme heat in Texas and the western states.  Office and boat projects occupied several days but we could bear it no longer and planned a driving trip across the bay to several historical scenic communities.  Pretzel, wearing a bark collar, would go with us.  Her manners have greatly improved and she is miserable being away from us.

Bristol, Rhode Island has a deep harbor and was once a major shipbuilding center.  It obviously had considerable wealth because interspersed with colonial structures are some magnificent mansions built by nineteenth century entrepreneurs.  The population of Bristol is small but they have preserved blocks and blocks of beautiful homes and businesses in charming, flower-bedecked buildings.

Quito’s (it’s Portuguese, not Mexican) is a local favorite seafood restaurant located on the bay next to a lovely little park.  We were seated on the patio with a great view.  Pretzel was admitted without difficulty and remained at David’s feet throughout lunch.  The menu was the best of any seafood restaurant we have experienced in this area and our food was excellent.  We hope to return with Jill and Jerry.

                                        

Warren is adjacent to Bristol and displays much of the same charm and historical significance.  Large farms are present throughout the area and roadside markets are frequent with bins laden with locally-grown produce.

Father’s Day was incredibly beautiful with 80-degree weather and little wind. I spent most of the afternoon on the aft deck watching a continuous parade of boats returning to the marinas or the town dock at Wickford.  Numerous restaurants attract boaters who enjoy visiting on their boats.  David was pleased to receive many calls and messages acknowledging his status as familial patriarch!