Rhode Island Town 36: New Shoreham (Block Island)

By Aoife....

Today was the day, everyone! The day that my mom, Tarynn and I hopped on the ferry and sailed off to Block Island! This was my first time visiting Block Island, but my mom has been there a few times. We left on the 8 o’clock ferry in Narragansett, and after a beautiful (and cold) ride we were finally at Block Island.  This was especially exciting because we didn’t know if we would be able to make it to Block Island this summer and still be able to safely social distance, but my mom read and watched what was going on for several weeks and decided that it would be ok for us to go. ​

Fishing boats in Galilee

Social distancing on the 8am ferry

View of Block Island from the ferry

Arriving in the Old Harbor

First we sat at a little park called Estes Park overlooking the water near the ferry landing and ate the breakfasts we had brought with us. Then we went and walked around the old harbor area, went into a few shops, and just explored the island. The shops were very cute and everyone we saw was wearing masks and social distancing.

After exploring the old harbor we walked for a really long time to Southeast Lighthouse. The Southeast Lighthouse wasn’t originally built where it is standing now on Block Island, it was built in 1875 and was moved back from the eroding cliffs in 1993. 

Walking to the Southeast Light

Walking by the stately Spring House Hotel

Resting after the walk to the lighthouse

Southeast Lighthouse

View of Mohegan Bluffs from the lighthouse

We left this rock at the Southeast Lighthouse

After we enjoyed the glorious views of the bluffs from afar we walked down the road for a couple minutes and went to see The Mohegan Bluffs up close. We had to walk down a total of 141 stairs to get down to the beach, but the view of the bluffs was worth it! We sat on a couple rocks and watched the waves crash on the sand as we ate our snacks. After finishing our snacks, my mom and younger sister, Tarynn went and collected rocks to make cairns (rock towers). After making the rock towers we walked back up the 141 stairs and went to our next destination on Block Island.

Arriving at Mohegan Bluffs

Starting our descent down the 141 stairs

Beach at the bottom of the stairs

Relaxing for awhile

Our two cairns - little one by Tarynn, big one by Heidi

Heading back up the stairs

The next thing we did was walk across the island on an unpaved inland road to go and get lunch in the old harbor. On our walk across the island we saw a cute little sandpiper at a little pond, and we passed the Block Island School. ​

John E's Pond view

Cute bird at John E's Pond

Block Island School

We went to Rebecca’s Take Out for lunch. I got a pastrami and cheese sandwich, Mom and my sister both got cheeseburgers & root beer floats, and we all shared some clam cakes. The food at Rebecca’s  was really tasty.

Delicious root beer floats at Rebecca's Take Out

Aoife loves pastrami sandwiches

After eating lunch we walked a little more around the old harbor to get to The Fred Benson Town Beach. So, normally I like the beach, but I don’t love the beach. Well, this Block Island beach is my favorite beach ever! I LOVED THIS BEACH!! The sand was so soft, and not gross. The water was so clear, you could see the bottom of the ocean even if you went out deep. Even though the water wasn’t as warm as the beaches on the mainland of Rhode Island I got used to it and stayed in for a long time. This was the longest time I had seen my mom ever be in the ocean. ​

The water was crystal clear

Fred Benson's Beach

No crowds!

Soaking in the sun

Splashing Tarynn just to hear her scream, haha

Funny sign in the beach bathroom (We did not flush our hopes or dreams)

After staying at the beach, watching the crystal clear turquoise water crash upon the sand for a while, we changed out of our bathing suits and walked back into town. We still had a little time before our ferry would leave so we decided to get drinks at The Block Island Beach House restaurant and enjoy the view of the ocean and cliffs. ​

After-beach drinks at the Block Island Beach House

Sipping cold beverages and enjoying the view

Our ferry ride home was a lot more crowded than the morning ferry. We got there early and put our bags on the seats next to us so we could maintain social distancing, and there were several people not wearing their masks. Fortunately, we were in the open air on the top deck so there was enough of a breeze to keep us safe from germs. ​

We left a rock at the little park by the ferry

Back in Galilee

One more rock - we left this one by the ferry landing in Galilee

Our day on Block Island was amazing and I would love to go back soon.

Other places we've enjoyed on Block Island:

• North Light - This was too long of a walk for us this time, but the North Light is also a very beautiful spot to visit. 
• Nature Conservancy Lands - The Nature Conservancy has a permanent field office on Block Island and maintains over 2000 acres of Block Island land.  There are some beautiful trails that we have visited on BC (before children) trips to Block Island
• ​Block Island National Wildlife Refuge - 127 acres of land that is great for bird watching

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