I continue my path on the road with a short trip to Rhode Island. Not really sure what to expect and one of my big activities in this state was actually a trip outside of the state. When I looked for things to do that were outdoors I only really found a few, but the weather and my work schedule weren’t going to make them easy. I had some time to kill before checking into my place though so off I went.
I was welcomed with a light rain, but that doesn’t really affect a guy from Florida. I grabbed my raincoat and umbrella, found a good spot to wander around, and toured a mostly empty Roger Williams Park. What normally would’ve been a busy park/zoo on a Sunday afternoon was limited to cars driving through or an occasional person/bicyclist. It was a really nice walk around the park though before making my way towards downtown Providence. The rain continued and downtown was pretty deserted, but it was a nice stroll around the government buildings and the waterfront park area.
I got settled into my airbnb, met the roommates, and found a local co-op market to stock up on some food. After getting cleaned up after a long day of walking in the rain, I got ambitious with a late dinner. Scallops, mashed potatoes, and a creamy kale/mushroom dish were definitely a lot to handle after a long day, but it made for a great late dinner and lunch another day. I relaxed and watched some Netflix before getting some sleep for a long day ahead.
I took Monday off work for an adventure out to Martha’s Vineyard. Yeah, it isn’t Rhode Island, and I would be off to Mass next, but it was a close trip from RI and I was struggling to find things I wanted to do there. So off on an early boat to the island I was. It was a beautiful day out in the high-60s/low-70s. I ventured out to Edgartown first for some great views and breakfast, then off to Aquinnah to see the Gay Head cliffs and lighthouse. I then took the route over the Jaws Bridge to Oak Bluffs for a walk by the gingerbread houses and a delicious Lobster Roll in the park. I planned to get some local vineyard wine, but “fun fact” is they don’t actually have any vineyards… yeah… I know right? I made my way back to Vineyard Haven for a walk down main street before boarding the boat back. It was definitely worth the trip!
So my last full day in RI also meant that it was a full day of work. I had my desk setup and ready for a day mostly full of meetings. I hadn’t decided what I would do on my last night, but my system was telling me to take it easy after a busy last few days. So I took a friend’s suggestion to drive down to Newport, but not before a quick tour of some spots related to the Family Guy show. Pawtucket, Del’s, Big Blue Bug, Giant Chicken and more were a fun adventure. But if I am being honest, I probably should’ve spent more time in Newport. That city is beautiful and I got to see a great sunset before driving around the massive mansions. It was a really nice driving tour around without needing to get out or walk around at all.
My adventure to Rhode Island could definitely have worked out better and I could’ve spent more time actually touring the state, especially Newport. The rain wasn’t great and there is a physical toll I am already noticing on my body that has been mostly sitting at home doing nothing for months. I probably should’ve been more active leading up to this trip though. Next time I visit, I will definitely stay in Newport and really tour those mansions!
So after working in the morning and saying bye to my roommates, I spent my lunch break commuting to my next stop… Boston, MA.