The Ocean State

Once again, our travels have become so busy with driving, exploring and sharing times with our traveling friends, I'm resorting to consolidating several days into one entry.  Bear with me as I recall the drama, drivel and driving.  In general, the weather continued to be outstanding.  And foliage?  Just as vibrant.  Individual trees of indescribable brilliance seemed to jump out at us as we drove or walked through the cities or countryside.  And, there would be more to follow as many trees had yet to begin their autumn artistry.

Our view of our Boston area RV park.  Beats staring at TV political commercials.

Sunday, 10/17 - To Newport

Mid-morning and we're caravaning again.  This time, it's southwest from the Boston area to the smallest state in the Union, Rhode Island.  A few minutes from Newport, our campground is located near perfectly for exploring the summer home of the wealthy (well, those like the Vanderbilt and the Astor families who could pay for their "cottages" before income taxes were imposed in the early 1900s. 

We attempted to take a half-day, somewhat educational tour of Newport, but all were sold out.  Independent lunch, shopping, a visit to the local Elks Lodge and a fun evening BBQ together ended the sunshiny day.

The picture is blurry because the photographer's eyes were focused on the food.

Monday, 10/18 - Touring Summer Cottages

Finally we get the Newport tour.  We learned more about the wealth of yesteryear than some of us could remember.  OK ... none of us remembered all of it, except that we'll never have what the railroad and oil magnates of the time were able to show off during what became known as the "Gilded Age".  A couple of hours guided through the Vanderbilt summer cottage, named "The Breakers" was further proof of our present poverty, comparatively speaking.

The annual two summer months at the Cornelius Vanderbilt's summer cottage must have been similar to living in our home-on-wheels.

Lunch was at the White Horse Tavern, since 1673, oldest continuously operating tavern/restaurant in the US.  British soldiers occupied the building during their occupation of Newport in the Revolutionary War. 

Newport's White Horse Tavern.  The British army chose a fine establishment to house their troops.  Next time, we'll order the beef wellington for our candlelight dinner. UmmmHmmm!

Tonight, we dine on seafood (I've forgotten that there is other types of food) and say farewell to Bill & Ginny as they will be leaving tomorrow for their independent travel westward to home.


Tuesday, 10/19 - Galilee

Leigh, our Park Ridge, IL friend who once lived in the Newport area, recommended an excursion to Jamestown and the fishing port of Galilee for a seafood lunch.  Nothing like enticing this group of foodies with more gastronomic delights!  Not only did we have lunch by the water, some of us made a visit to the docks just as a trawler was being unloaded of its day catch.  Rapid fire unloading, conveying, weighing, boxing, icing ... and refrigerated trucks, both small and big stood by to transport the catch to retailers and restaurants.  Wow!  We should not be annoyed with the price we pay for seafood.  These guys work hard!

The payload is about to be unloaded.

Unloading the catch, a fast, furious, dirty job.

Caught today, iced and boxed at the dock.  Could be on your table tonight.

The sun sets on our group's last night in Rhode Island ... and the end of our tour.

This is the last night of our RV gang's official Autumn in New England tour together.  We're all so seafood stuffed, that the best we could do is snacks and adult beverages in Tom & Sheryl's coach.  Even that seemed to add another few pounds to this scribe.

Buddy, the tour group's mascot does NOT like his fish-filled belly poked!