Weekend in Rhode Island
Nov 9th, 2003, 05:24 PM
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Weekend in Rhode Island
Just wanted to post a brief trip report on our trip to RI this past weekend.
Started out with a few hours spent at the Mystic Aquarium on Thursday. Being midweek in November, it was quite empty except for one well behaved school group. It wasn't as big as we remembered, but did find the exhibits and especially the volunteers we spoke with to be quite knowledgable and interesting. Fortunately, we did the outdoor parts first, because it started to rain mid-afternoon.
By the time we reached Shelter Harbor Inn, it was a dark and rainy night, so the warmth and hospitality of the inn was most welcome. The only downside was that I had supposedly reserved a room with fireplace, but we had been assigned another rather non-descript room without one and couldn't change.
Not having to search for a place for dinner that night was very pleasant. As others have said, the food was delicious there--an arranged salad of mesclun, green apples and big chunks of gorgonzola with a dried cranberry dressing started the meal, followed by roast duckling on garlic sauteed spinach for me and mustard encrusted salmon with butternut risotta for DH.
Friday, after a very rich breakfast of banana walnut French toast and apple pancakes, we took Emily's advice and headed to Trustrom Refuge. It really was a perfect moment in time as we watched a small flock of swans glide across the pond under a pure blue sky and golden sun beating down on us. I realize that this wouldn't necessarily be ideallic for everyone, but we loved it.
Likewise, we thoroughly enjoyed hopping up and down the rocks at Beavertail State Park in Jamestown. Fortunately, there was hardly any wind, so it was an unexpected warm afternoon spent there.
On the way back we stopped to eat at Captain Jack's. I got my whole belly clams and DH had a huge piece of fish and chips. Clams weren't as soft as I'd like, and a little bit of fried food goes a long way with me. Was glad to substitute a baked potato for the chips.
Saturday was cold and windy as predicted, but we didn't wimp out. Walked out to Napatree Point in Watch Hill, which was a very pristine beach, at least at this time of year. Saw some of the best tidal pools we've encountered on the east coast. They were filled with sea stars and other shelled creatures.
Next explored the beach on the other side of Watch Hill in front of the Ocean Resort Hotel. This was more protected from the wind, and we walked quite a distance.
Couldn't find a little local cafe for lunch, and found Westerly to be difficult to navigate. Tried one more beach near Shelter Harbor, and then headed back to the inn. Another good, but smaller dinner there on Saturday.
Sunday I attended an Episcople church in Charlestown (to comment on another thread's question) and found the people to be so warm and welcoming.
We both agreed it was a great four days and loved the area. We'll have to go back and hit the many places we missed this time. Just noticed "My Mary's" on the way back from church this morning, and it looked promising. Looking back at the brochures tonight, I'm very sorry we missed Wickford, since it looks like an interesting town to explore.
Thanks for everyone's suggestions
Started out with a few hours spent at the Mystic Aquarium on Thursday. Being midweek in November, it was quite empty except for one well behaved school group. It wasn't as big as we remembered, but did find the exhibits and especially the volunteers we spoke with to be quite knowledgable and interesting. Fortunately, we did the outdoor parts first, because it started to rain mid-afternoon.
By the time we reached Shelter Harbor Inn, it was a dark and rainy night, so the warmth and hospitality of the inn was most welcome. The only downside was that I had supposedly reserved a room with fireplace, but we had been assigned another rather non-descript room without one and couldn't change.
Not having to search for a place for dinner that night was very pleasant. As others have said, the food was delicious there--an arranged salad of mesclun, green apples and big chunks of gorgonzola with a dried cranberry dressing started the meal, followed by roast duckling on garlic sauteed spinach for me and mustard encrusted salmon with butternut risotta for DH.
Friday, after a very rich breakfast of banana walnut French toast and apple pancakes, we took Emily's advice and headed to Trustrom Refuge. It really was a perfect moment in time as we watched a small flock of swans glide across the pond under a pure blue sky and golden sun beating down on us. I realize that this wouldn't necessarily be ideallic for everyone, but we loved it.
Likewise, we thoroughly enjoyed hopping up and down the rocks at Beavertail State Park in Jamestown. Fortunately, there was hardly any wind, so it was an unexpected warm afternoon spent there.
On the way back we stopped to eat at Captain Jack's. I got my whole belly clams and DH had a huge piece of fish and chips. Clams weren't as soft as I'd like, and a little bit of fried food goes a long way with me. Was glad to substitute a baked potato for the chips.
Saturday was cold and windy as predicted, but we didn't wimp out. Walked out to Napatree Point in Watch Hill, which was a very pristine beach, at least at this time of year. Saw some of the best tidal pools we've encountered on the east coast. They were filled with sea stars and other shelled creatures.
Next explored the beach on the other side of Watch Hill in front of the Ocean Resort Hotel. This was more protected from the wind, and we walked quite a distance.
Couldn't find a little local cafe for lunch, and found Westerly to be difficult to navigate. Tried one more beach near Shelter Harbor, and then headed back to the inn. Another good, but smaller dinner there on Saturday.
Sunday I attended an Episcople church in Charlestown (to comment on another thread's question) and found the people to be so warm and welcoming.
We both agreed it was a great four days and loved the area. We'll have to go back and hit the many places we missed this time. Just noticed "My Mary's" on the way back from church this morning, and it looked promising. Looking back at the brochures tonight, I'm very sorry we missed Wickford, since it looks like an interesting town to explore.
Thanks for everyone's suggestions
Feb 1st, 2004, 12:08 PM
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Thanks for topping this, Clousie. I will check out the website (I'm assuming there is one) for the Shelter Harbor Inn. A question that you may find strange: how were the sheets at the Inn? I guess I'm a little wierd but my sheets have to have a high thread count or they feel scratchy to me.
Feb 2nd, 2004, 05:28 AM
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I'm happy to read that you were happy with Sheltor Harbour - I think it's perfect for a cold winter evening and we always enjoy eating there.
Westerly is difficult to navigate, even for those of us who hace been here for years.
Wickford is indeed a quiet place to spend an afternoon browsing in the shops. Unfortunately, there are no great restaurants in town. The pinnacle of my summer is the art show in Wickford which occurs the weekend after the 4th of July.
Westerly is difficult to navigate, even for those of us who hace been here for years.
Wickford is indeed a quiet place to spend an afternoon browsing in the shops. Unfortunately, there are no great restaurants in town. The pinnacle of my summer is the art show in Wickford which occurs the weekend after the 4th of July.
