August 6-21                                    North Kingstown and Vermont

We returned to Westerly on a lovely cool day that allowed us to escape the boat interior.  We were awed again by the many grand homes lining the streets of that small town.  We drove past the Ocean House, where we had lunched with the Carpenters several weeks ago, and noted it was busy with arriving guests.

 Walnut Hill is a small area below the hills of Westerly and is the quintessential coastal town.  With a picturesque marina, it is a favorite destination for area boaters.  Unfortunately, it is too shallow for The Bottom Line and we do not like to anchor out. Many small shops and restaurants overlooked the marina.  We were impressed with the high quality of displayed goods in the stores.  People were everywhere, shopping, eating and going to the magnificent beach nearby.  We enjoyed a delicious lunch while sitting outdoors with a great view of the marina. 

As the boat remained docked, we made plans for an automobile trip to Vermont.  With the help of “ my newly discovered AI skills,” I planned a five-day trip on scenic routes through major sites of that state.   We would leave on August 17  and return on August 21l.  Before departing,  we met Sadie at the office to leave Pretzel in her care before heading for Manchester ( VT not MA ) our first destination.

Our six-hour drive was on excellent roads with beautiful mountain views and many pristine small towns.  We stayed at a lovely inn and dined at Ye Old Tavern, the oldest restaurant in the state.  It was charming and we enjoyed excellent food.  David had a flaming duck entrée that won praise.  My lobster mac and cheese was also a hit.  Before leaving Manchester, we visited Hildene, the magnificent summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln, a son of President Lincoln who amassed a fortune in railroads.

Woodstock (VT not NY) was our next destination  We traveled on scenic VT 4 and soon were in covered bridges country.  I planned a special lunch at Simon Pearce Glass Studio overlooking the Quechee Gorge.  A high-end glass manufacturer, Simon Pearce’s unique showroom was featured in the movie “Sweet Home Alabama.”  The attached restaurant is equally famous.  Lunch was memorable and delicious.  Porcini mushroom taco was David’s choice but our favorite was the outstanding blueberry sorbet.  I was delighted to find and purchase a beautiful irregular shaped pitcher.

We stayed at the lovely Inn on the River whose expansive grounds provided a great view from our windows.  Dinner was at a local favorite, Oates and Evelyn.  Another wonderful meal.

Our drive to Shelburne was delightful.  On winding mountain roads, we passed numerous large silos, picturesque red barns, antique shops and Victorian style homes.  Small ski areas were evident as we ascended the mountains.

The Shelburne Museum was easily accessible on our route and we were amazed by the variety and size of the many buildings.  Nestled in a lovely valley only a few miles from Burlington, it is a popular tourist destination.  The founder, Electra Havemeyer Webb, was the daughter of major patrons of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and was a compulsive collector of art and artifacts. 

As our time was limited, we chose to take a tour of the property before viewing the Needlework Exhibit.  Magnificent examples of early American needlepoint and quilting were on display.  Dioramas of miniature scenes were fascinating.  We were pleased to view the excellent collection of American art with fine examples of the works of Andrew Wyeth, Albert Bierstadt, John Singleton Copley and artists of the Hudson River School.  Several paintings by the iconic Grandma Moses were on display.

In Burlington, we stayed at the Hilton Champlain Hotel to take advantage of its excellent location overlooking Lake Champlain.  We watched a beautiful lingering sunset before going to the nearby Hen of the Wood restaurant.  Its casual ambiance was in contrast to its limited menu of gourmet choices.  An appetizer of grilled bread accompanied by strawberry jam and Vermont brie was followed by entrees of the best pork loin ever.

 Friday, August 20 was our 72^nd wedding anniversary!   Before leaving Burlington, we took a trolley tour of the city and admired the many Victorian homes and the expansive campus of the University of Vermont. Vermonters are proud of their state and they maintain a pristine environment.

Our brief drive to Montpelier was a partial repeat of our previous day’s journey.  Again, the scenery was outstanding.  Montpelier is a small but vibrant community  dominated by its impressive golden-domed capitol building.  Our anniversary dinner was at Sarducci’s, a favorite Italian restaurant.  We had a lovely table outdoors overlooking the river.  The veal marsala was tender and delicious.

Our drive home was mainly on interstate highways to reach Putnam, CT. by two o-clock.  We were scheduled to have lunch with John and Maria Carpenter at their beautiful farm.  Their large white Victorian home was partially built in 1820 and retains many of its original features, i.e. wide planked floors and woodburning fireplaces.  It’s truly a showplace!  Maria served a delicious lunch of clam and linguine with a tomato-cucumber salad.  Stuffed mushrooms with sweet Italian sausage was a tasty appetizer and garlic bread completed a wonderful lunch.  We dined on the porch overlooking the red barns, white fences and acres of green pastures.

I was interested to see again Maria’s extensive collection of Fontani nativity figures.  They are displayed always in the front parlor of their home, and I enjoyed having the opportunity to see them.  It’s a wonderful collection.   Maria is a talented craftsperson.  She always has a project!  With an assortment of colored glass beads, she is creating  key holders that are not only functional but beautiful accessories.  Maria and John are soon celebrating their 48^th anniversary and we had fun looking through their wedding album and reminiscing  about that event and the family and friends attending.

Our visit with John and Maria was a highlight of our trip and we reluctantly left to return to the boat.  We had traveled through four states—Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont.  It was a great experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 13-August 5                North Kingstown, Rhode Island

With ongoing repairs to the boat (which were delayed by needed parts), we were docked  and left to watch others cruise off into the bay.  Weather became a constant concern.  We were subjected to several days of intense smoke from the fires in Canada.  We were kept inside to maintain breathing without problems.  Afterwards, we had monsoon-like rain and then uncomfortable heat.  It has been a different summer!

Cody and Sadie, his sister, alternate in coming to the boat once a week to help me clean. They are the teenage grandchildren of the marina owner and have been competent and reliable.  With their help, we had the boat pristine to greet Julie and Greg Galier who came again on their annual visit.  They are delightful, easy guests whom we cherish as the few family members (they are cousins on David’s side) we see often.

Julie and Greg had been to Newport on earlier visits, but they chose to return to visit the shops and sights. We stayed on the boat and let them take the car.   Newport was extremely crowded, but they found a great lunch site and several interesting shops.  Drinks and dinner were on the aft deck on a lovely cool evening.

Monday was a monsoon-like rainy day, and we spent a cozy time on the boat.  After three o-clock, the weather improved and we left for Narragansett and dinner at The Coast Guard House.  The sun greeted us on the way, and we enjoyed a lovely drive along the coast. 

Our guests returned to Newport to visit the home of Doris Duke and have another memorable lunch at a small restaurant on the docks near the main street.  We served dinner again on the aft deck (shrimp cocktail, baked cod and apple pie).  It is always delightful to have an opportunity to reminisce about family present and long gone.  These lengthy aft deck sessions give us this chance when Julie and Greg visit.

Another heat wave has hit the Northeast, and our A/C is going full-blast.  No relief for several days.   Ironically, we left Texas to escape the heat which has been duplicated in Rhode Island. 

 

  

 

 

 

 

July 1-12                   North Kingstown, Rhode Island

The Fourth of July was busy in the marina.  Intermittent rain delayed many boats but the fireworks display on the beach nearby occurred as planned.  We had a hot dog dinner with apple pie on the aft deck.  It was fun to watch on TV  the Tall Ships parade in New York Harbor.  We celebrated our nation’s birthday by continually watching historical movies and documentaries about Revolutionary heroes and events.

We had a special evening with John and Betsie on the aft deck of their beautiful boat.  Betsie served an amazing display of appetizers.  With a cool breeze, we enjoyed the ambiance. the food and the interesting conversation.  Their two small dogs carry on frequent “conversations” with Pretzel.

On July 12, we drove to Westerly to have a reunion with John and Maria Carpenter.  They no longer have their boat, and are absent from the marina.  We miss them  as they were the catalyst for much of our social life in summers past.  Maria had chosen  to meet at The Bistro in The Ocean House on the beach in Westerly.  We went early to avoid the traffic and have time to see the area.

Westerly is a delightful town of lovely, large Victorian and Cape Cod style houses set among spacious lawns adorned with blooming hydrangeas, roses, and lilies.  Taylor Swift’s house is one of the grandest, but others can compete.  It is a gorgeous neighborhood that winds through rocky hills overlooking the sea.

                                              TAYLOR SWIFT HOUSE

                                 

The Ocean House is a magnificent property that commands  an imposing view of the expansive beach and Atlantic Ocean.  We had often passed it as we cruised from the Cape Cod Canal toward Mystic or Essex.  We were impressed with the beautiful yellow and white Victorian structure as well as its renown as a five-star accommodation. 

We were glad we had driven our new car as our old VW with its faded paint would surely have been sent away.  The valets were busy with a new Mercedes, a gorgeous Rolls-Royce and a bright yellow Ferrari.    As we arrived early, we went to the outdoor bar to view the beach scene.  It was crowded with sunbathers and cabanas.

We were delighted to see John and Maria,  Our brunch  was a great occasion to catch up with news of family and friends.  We celebrated John’s birthday (the following day) with champagne toasts and delicious food.   After more than two hours, we reluctantly said goodbye to special friends with promises to meet again soon.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 16-June30                  North Kingstown

We are delighted to receive photos of our great granddaughter, Margot Ruth (note the middle name) who is a beautiful six-month-old addition to the family.  We love having a baby once more to enjoy. Unfortunately, Taft and Kennedy have a busy schedule this summer and will not be coming to the boat.  We always look forward to their visits. Taft is a huge fan of my blueberry pie and  also the oysters and lobster we serve on the aft deck.

We finally found cleaners to get the boat in pristine condition before our guest, Deborah Reed, would arrive on June 23.  They were expensive but did a great job and I planned to have them return weekly.  Unfortunately, they cancelled twice after the initial visit.  I dismissed them and have engaged Cory, the grandson of the owner who is not as proficient but more reliable. 

We were excited to welcome Deborah to Rhode Island and the boat.  A long-time friend and fellow docent at the Kimbell Museum, Deborah is a charming, erudite person whose degrees in interior design and art history make her an exceptional font of knowledge.  I was eager to show her the mansions of Newport and their elaborate architecture and furnishings.

Our first visit was to The Breakers, the magnificent oceanfront hone of the Vanderbilts.  Our three-hour tour gave us a comprehensive view of life in the Golden Age. The following day, we went to Rough Point, the ancestral home of Doris Duke.  Built in English Baronial style at the turn of the twentieth century, it reflected the exquisite taste of its wealthy owners.

 Friday was a long day but a fun day!  We caught an early train at Wickford Station (ten minutes from the boat) and went to South Station in Boston.  We arrived at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum just as it opened.  Our Kimbell credentials granted us free admission.  Deborah had recently read the biography the Mrs. Gardner and was familiar with most of the collection and its provenance.  After a leisurely tour, we had a lovely lunch in the new dining room (part of the recent addition by Renzo Piano). 

We Ubered to the nearby Museum of Fine Arts (again granted free admission) to view the collection of John Singer Sargent’s paintings.  Our time was limited so we Ubered to South Station and returned to Wickford.  I dozed off on the train.  David met us and we immediately went to Caffe Milano for dinner. Both Deborah and I were tired and quickly went to bed.  On Saturday morning, I drove to the airport and said goodbye to a special friend.  We were delighted to have her share time with us  in Rhode Island.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2026

Our departure for the boat was later this year as we planned to attend the wedding of Amanda, daughter of Maria Barrios, our long-time housekeeper.  It was a memorable occasion, and we were delighted to be in attendance.  Amanda had just completed her PhD studies in aeronautical engineering at Cal Tech.  Her brother, David, earned his MD degree in the same week.  We are so proud of this exceptional family.

Stephanie and Sharon Arnold, a great friend, flew with us to Providence.  After a long day, we took Uber to the boat and found it clean and ready.  We quickly made reservations at Tavern by the Sea, a favorite local restaurant.  Could not wait for lobster rolls!

On Sunday, the girls accompanied David to the grocery store.  They spent several hours and purchased more than we can consume in several weeks.  They had to find extra storage space.  We were happy to meet John and Betsie, friends from last year.  They are now docked next to us.   Jill Cohen, a special friend. joined us for lunch at the renowned Matunuck Oyster Bar.

On Tuesday the girls chose to remain on the boat and complete cleaning and organizing the galley and the bar on the aft deck.  They were amazing and the results were positive.  

On Wednesday morning, I had a severe problem with breathing issues and left by ambulance at 4:00 AM for the hospital.  For two days, I was subjected to a battery of tests and was given excellent care by the medical staff.  Thrilled to be released with recommendations for future care, I happily returned to the boat.  Unfortunately, I missed Sharon’s departure for her home in Lincoln, Nebraska. Stephanie insisted on staying several more days to ensure I was following orders for my care.

Stephanie and I made a trip to the local needlepoint shop to replenish our threads supply.  On the return  to the boat, we took an alternate route and stopped by the Hyundai dealership to look at an automobile David had found on the internet.  Our beloved VW SUV suffered considerable paint problems and other issues.  We had agreed we needed a newer car.  The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe model David had researched online was perfect for our needs.  Stephanie and I completed the paperwork, signed the check and left our old car on the lot.  Looking new, inside and out, our car was impressive.

We had a lovely farewell dinner for Stephanie at Beech, a favorite restaurant in Jamestown.  We enjoyed driving our pretty new car on the trip.  David reluctantly took Stephanie to the airport on Monday.  She was immediately missed.

Now we are finishing some projects on the boat. Carpet cleaners came and did a great job on the salon.  We are fortunate to have good help available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 8-October 11        North Kingstown, Rhode Island                 

We had Covid inoculations to prevent that dreaded disease.  David had no reactions, but I became ill.  For almost six days, I mostly stayed in bed sleeping.  David was an excellent nurse and cleaned, cooked and gave me TLC. 

Except for a few windy or rainy days, we have had beautiful fall weather.  The trees are changing color and downtown is a scene of red and gold leaves.  Sunsets are sooner so we are planning dinners on the aft deck much earlier. We have developed some great seafood recipes that are easy to make so cooking on the boat is frequent.

We remember great times with guests on The Bottom Line this summer.  Kennedy and Taft were delightful and we are anticipating the birth of their daughter in December.  Julie and Greg are always welcome guests and we are pleased they come annually to visitl.  Eric, our neighbor in Fort Worth, made a short stay on his trip to Massachusetts. Jill, our longtime friend who lives near Boston, came for visits that lasted only a few hours but gave us opportunity to share good memories.

 We enjoyed dinner with John and Betsie at Il Milano and with Cecil and Bob at The White Horse Tavern in Newport.  We celebrated Maria’s birthday with a festive dinner at The White Horse Tavern.  The following weekend, they treated us to a wonderful dinner at Trattoria Romano in Johnston, a suburb of Providence noted for being a Mafia enclave.  The restaurant was elegant, and the food and service were excellent.  As Maria and John once lived nearby, they enlightened us with information about the Rhode Island Mafia. The Italian influence was evident in restaurant choices.

On Sunday, October 3, we were treated to a dinghy tour of the harbor by John and Maria who were considerate and thoughtful to provide needed help into and out of the dinghy.  Our tour included a visit with Jen, a Wickford resident who was sunning with a friend on her 120-year-old sailboat.  Once a pirate ship in the Caribbean, the boat was beautifully restored by Dominic, Jen’s significant other (a local favorite who wears a ponytail and is always barefoot).

  We enjoyed the diversity of the boaters we met this summer. Most are interesting, intelligent and adventuresome people who come from different places.  Some like Betsie and John, Cecil and Bob, Joan and Mike and Maria and John have become good friends. 

Stephanie arrives today to celebrate her birthday and help us pack for home.  We plan to go to Providence and explore the Italian area of Federal Hill with a celebration dinner at a special restaurant.  The following day, we pack and say goodbye to friends.  Rube comes on Saturday morning to drive us to the airport and return our car to the marina.  Our five month stay on The Bottom Line has been a lovely, memorable experience. 

 

August 22-September 7            North Kingstown, Rhode Island

Our boat is equipped with a propane gas grill on the bridge.  We rarely utilize it because most marinas forbid open flames on boats.  The location was also inconvenient for easy access.  We researched electric grills and selected a small Weber that would easily store on top of the bar area on the aft deck.

John and Maria joined us for our inaugural attempt to cook steaks.  Following directions, David placed four large New York strips on the very hot grill and waited.  At the determined time, he tested the meat and was surprised and upset to find it overcooked.  Although tender and flavorful, our steaks were definitely past the medium-rare stage we desired.  More practice is required.

We were delighted to have Jill visit us again.  The day was sunny and cool so we planned lunch on the aft deck.  Baked scrod, a mixed salad and a light dessert accompanied lots of conversation as we reminisced and made future plans.  We are hoping Jill will visit us next spring in Texas. 

Several years ago, we spent a week in Fairhaven, Massachusetts to avoid a pending hurricane.  We were fascinated by lovely older homes and several significant buildings.  H.H. Rogers, a retired Standard Oil executive and multimillionaire, returned to his hometown and generously endowed the city with a public library, city hall and Unitarian Church in Gothic architectural style.   The church is a magnificent structure with notable artwork and stained glass windows which easily rival those by Tiffany. 

We made a road trip to New Bedford and Fairhaven (twin cities across a river) to renew memories.  New Bedford remains a major port on the East Coast and the coastal part of the city is highly commercial, however, adjacent is the well-preserved older section with cobblestone streets and lovely shops and restaurants.  I enjoyed visiting the Whaling Museum while David and Pretzel  people watched on the patio.  All readers of Moby Dick (or viewers of the movie), know the prominence of New Bedford as a whaling port.

Afterwards, we had a delicious lunch at Tia Maria’s.  The menu reflected the great Portuguese influence in the area.  It was a lovely day and we enjoyed a leisurely lunch with delicious food and very friendly service.  Our waitress was also a commercial fisher and catches huge tuna and bluefish on her days off.

Labor Day weekend was fun with considerable activity of boats, paddleboards and kayaks in our harbor.  Our boat is still at dock due to a repair need.