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Rhode Island Towns 31, 32, & 33: Portsmouth, Middletown, and Newport - 8/7/2020

8/7/2020

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Portsmouth was a town we were especially looking forward to visiting, and  we got up bright and early to be out of our house by 7:30 so that we would arrive in Portsmouth by 8:15am.  Why, did we need to leave our cozy beds so early on a summer day?  We had a reservation for the very popular Rail Explorers that we had booked over a month ago, and we couldn’t miss it. We had been looking forward to this day for quite awhile, and although the weather forecast threatened rain, we were thankfully presented with only cloudy skies and cool temperatures.  It was perfect weather for our 1.5 hour “bike” ride on the railroad tracks.  We took the southern route, which gave us plenty of beautiful views. Along the way we saw scenic views of Narragansett Bay, and glimpses of occasional osprey nests.  On the ride out, Emy, Aoife and I shared the four-seater railroad bike, and from time to time we got it going pretty fast.  Heidi and Tarynn came behind us in a two-seater railroad bike.  At the end of our route, we were able to spend some time relaxing in a lovely area filled with Adirondack chairs and there was a gorgeous view of the Newport Bridge.  There were also several fire pits throughout the area, so maybe on the evening rail explorer tours, there is time built in for relaxing by the fire. On the way back we had the bikes hitched together and we all worked at pedaling during the return trip. We were grateful for the cloudy skies, because if the weather had been hot and sunny, the pedaling would have seemed like a lot more work.  The ride was really fun, and we would highly recommend Rail Explorers as a summer family activity. 
Rail Explorers Station - Portsmouth
Bike Buddies
Osprey nest
Newport Bridge view
We left a painted rock at the turn around point
Relaxing at the turn around point
View from the rails
On the ride back
We followed the Rail Explorers ride with a quick trip to see the wind turbine at Portsmouth Abbey School. Heidi worked in the library at Portsmouth Abbey while she was earning her MLIS degree, so she especially enjoyed stopping here for a trip down memory lane. She told us about the monk who used to escape to the top of the turbine to sit in solitude, and the drone video of him that went viral -- amazing!  ​
Portsmouth Abbey Wind Turbine
It's so tall!
We continued on to explore Portsmouth’s beachfront neighborhood of Island Park, complete with a model of Elvis on one of the porches.  Walking around Island Park got us hungry, so we went to Flo’s Drive-In for clam cakes.  These were some of the best clam cakes I’d ever had!  We left a rock on the sea wall at Island Park. ​
The beach at Island Park
Spreading joy through painted rocks
Elvis lives!!!!!!
Flo's Clamshack
Now to continue our journey of Aquidneck Island, we go to Middletown with Aemilia.
​

FREE THE WINDMILLS! FREE THE WINDMILLS! 
Hello, now that I have your attention, I’ll introduce myself. My name is Aemilia, and I have found an important cause, that I believe we should all fight for. Windmill Liberation. But before we get to that, let me tell you a little bit about our Aquidneck Island day, specifically our trip to Middletown. 
After doing our Portsmouth rail explorer trip and visiting other sites in Portsmouth, we visited Middletown, that is to say, the town in the middle of Aquidneck Island. Rhode Island has some really confusing areas, like Wyoming that is NOT real Wyoming, and Moscow that is NOT anything even close to the real Moscow, but you will be pleased to know that Middletown is not one of them. It’s right in the middle, like it tells you in the title. Not some weird little area PRETENDING that it’s a state or a foreign city. Looking at you, Carolina and Wyoming. But Middletown? Middletown is trustworthy. Look at that. Right in the middle. :)
Picture
Image located at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Newport,_Newport_County,_Rhode_Island_Genealogy
What I’m about to say next might alarm you. 
Middletown and Portsmouth have been holding windmills captive, all tied up so they can’t even move. I know, it’s hard to believe. You might need to take a minute to process this. It’s ok. It’s a lot to take in. 
Allow me to share how I know this information, which I’m sure many people would consider to be classified and extremely dangerous. We visited, not one, but TWO locations with beautiful plants and flowers, and stunning windmills, only to see the windmills ROPED TO THE GROUND. I could not believe my eyes, as I was struck with anguish at how these poor windmills have one function, to spin around, and they aren’t even allowed to do that. The two places in question are Prescott Farm (this windmill is in Portsmouth) and Boyd’s Windmill (at Paradise Valley Park in Middletown), and while they were very nice to visit, my experience was ruined by the thought of the windmills being tied to the ground and unable to move. It was truly horrifying. So please #freethewindmills.
Prescott Farm Windmill & gardens
#freethewindmills
1875 Paradise School - Middletown
Boyd's Windmill in Paradise Park, Middletown
From there, we went to Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge where we walked along a trail to the point. It was a nice walk in a very beautiful place, and we left a rock there.
Making faces along the trail
Sachuest Selfie
We left this rock at Sachuest Point
Sachuest Views
Also in the same general area, we visited Little Purgatory Chasm, which was nice, except for the fact that CERTAIN people like to go too close to the edge. I don’t think I even need to tell you who those people are. If you’re familiar with us, you probably already know. ​
Peering down at the chasm
Chasm smiles
Don't fall in!!!
Perfect view!
Bye for now and remember to thank a windmill today,
- Aemilia
Heidi’s turn - Now we are continuing along to Newport.  True Rhode Islanders rarely visit Newport in the summertime as that is when this beautiful town is overrun with tourists.  However, this year is the exception to the norm, and since we have a goal of visiting every town in Rhode Island, off to Newport we went, and although it was busy, the crowds were considerably smaller than in previous summers. 

​Our first stop in Newport was Touro Park to see the Newport Tower.  This tower is the remains of a 17th century windmill, however, according to Atlas Obscura and several other website, there are mysteries surrounding this structure.
Newport Tower
Taking a break at Touro Park
Next we drove through the shops on the wharves and along Thames Street.  Normally, we would park and enjoy walking and browsing through the shops in this area.  Due to COVID, however, we decided that there were too many people around for our comfort level, so a drive through tour was enough.  Nearly everyone we saw walking was wearing a mask and giving those around them quite a bit of space, which earned Newport a grade of A+ for the social distancing we witnessed during our visit.
Picture
Thames Street - Newport
We then stopped at Fort Adams, a coastal fortification completed in 1857.  Although we did not tour the fort this time, we did enjoy walking around the walls of the fort, and seeing the Oliver Hazard Perry Tall Ship which docks at Fort Adams. ​
Fort Adams
The Oliver Hazard Perry Tall Ship
Newport Bridge view
We continued along Ocean Drive (also called 10 Mile Drive), marveling at the luxurious houses and exquisite ocean views. We stopped at Brenton Point to watch the waves crashing on the rocks, and also watch some kite fliers.  There is always an ocean breeze at Brenton Point, which makes it the perfect location for the annual Newport Kite Festival.  One of the oldest geocaches in Rhode Island is also hidden at Brenton Point, so be sure to search for it when you visit. ​
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Sisterly love at Brenton Point
After finishing our ride along Ocean Drive, we met one of my lifelong friends, Fr. Scott, to explore the Cliff Walk.  Fr. Scott is currently a chaplain at Salve Regina University, and he led us on a walk through the ocean side campus that includes several buildings from the Gilded Age.  Further along Cliff Walk, we saw the sweeping lawn of The Breakers as well as Aoife’s dream house, which has a gazebo overlooking the ocean. ​
Salve Regina University from Cliff Walk
Salve Regina University
We left this rock on Cliff Walk
Aoife's favorite house along Cliff Walk
Gazebo at Aoife's favorite house
The Breakers
Picture
Cliff Walk Views
Fr. Scott brought us to see his church, St Joseph’s, which is very beautiful and is located in the Broadway section of Newport.  In addition to serving as a chaplain at Salve, he has also recently been appointed the administrator of St. Joseph’s.  There are several restaurants near St. Joseph’s, and Fr. Scott had made a reservation for an outdoor dinner at Malt.  Featuring an assortment of whiskeys and draft beers, this casual restaurant was perfect for us after a long day of exploring on Aquidneck Island.  We devoured flavorful burgers, Thai shrimp nachos. calamari, and falafel, and washed them down with some tasty cocktails & brews.
St. Joseph's Church - Newport
Dinner at Malt
Outdoors at Malt
After saying goodbye to Fr. Scott, we had one more necessary stop to make before heading home: the original Newport Creamery.  Newport Creamery has been a Rhode Island institution since 1928, and the Middletown shop is the original location.  Perhaps most famous for its “Awful Awfuls” (thick milkshakes that are “Awful Big and Awful Good”), a trip to Newport Creamery is the perfect end to any Rhode Island summer day.  
Newport Creamery
Junior Awful Awfuls
Other places we've enjoyed on Aquidneck Island:
  • Green Animals Topiary Gardens - Over 80 pieces of topiary are found throughout the gardens on this beautiful estate.  We've enjoyed many visits here.  Along with the topiaries, I especially love the display of old toys that can be seen inside the house (probably not during COVID, though), the scarecrows in the garden, and the wooden animal rockers sprinkled throughout the shaded lawn.  Fun fact: the gardener who created these topiaries is featured in the documentary film "Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control".  
  • Norman Bird Sanctuary- Wildlife sanctuary with over 7 miles of hiking trails. Be sure to visit the Hanging Rock overlook for a spectacular view.
  • Second Beach - This Middletown Beach is the beach I went to while growing up. It has medium sized waves, making this beach great for all ages. 
  • Polar Bear Plunge at Easton's Beach - This annual tradition takes place on New Year's Day at Easton's Beach. It consists of hundreds of brave swimmers who jump into the ocean to raise money to support "A Wish Come True", a RI based nonprofit that grants wishes to children with life threatening medical conditions.  "A Wish Come True" is near and dear to our hearts, and we've helped out at this fun event over the years. Even if you don't want to take the plunge, this is a fun event to watch, and what could be better than starting the year at a beautiful beach!
  • Fort Adams Tunnel Rat Tour - Aoife's GIrl Scout troop did this tour of Fort Adams and it sounded absolutely fascinating. 
  • The Newport Mansions - The Preservation Society of Newport County owns ten properties that are open for tours (some are closed during COVID).  They are all unique and worth visiting, and a few are beautifully decorated during the holidays.  For a couple of years, we had a family membership which granted us admission to all of these properties, and we were able to visit each mansion, from the lavish Breakers to the colonial Hunter House, and everything in between, such as the quirky hodgepodge of Chepstow.  As Downton Abbey fans, we especially enjoyed the Servant Life Tour at The Elms. 
  • Touro Synagogue - A National Historic Site, this is America's oldest synagogue. 
  • Swiss Village - We have driven by this intriguing farm located next to Fort Adams, but have yet to make it to their annual open house.  Some of our friends have been and have loved visiting the 45 acre farm and the rare breeds of livestock that live there. 
  • Trinity Church - Constructed in 1725, this is the oldest Episcopal church in Rhode Island and it is also a National Historic Landmark. George Washington attended services here in 1781.  














































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    Welcome!

    We are a family who loves to travel and explore.  Covid-19 has changed our plans for  summer 2020, but we are making the best out of the situation by exploring our beautiful home state of Rhode Island.  During the summer of 2020, we are hoping to visit every town in Rhode Island. Thank you for joining us on our journey! ​  

    NBC 10 WJAR featured us on the news!  Watch the segment here. 

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