Rhode Island

Thank you, Trusty Blog Readers, for being here the last two years. It's been wonderful to blog for and about you. The tides are turning and exciting things are on the horizon for ExploreNewEngland.com. There will be a changing of the salty, seafaring guard with the blogs. From here on out they will be written by the talented and unique Boston Globe staffers who, I am sure, will do our Ocean State justice. Thanks again for sticking around, and keep exploring Rhode Island!

(Photo by Rhode Island transplant Mark Baker)

Shhh. Don't say it too loud, but Fall is right around the corner. You can feel it at night when the temperature drops down and the blankets get pulled up. Though the air's getting colder, the water is at its warmest. That's why September is a great month for water sports. Here are some water wise things to do with your September weekends before it really becomes New Englandy...

-- Rent some gear from a dive shop and explore a local shipwreck.
-- Build some body strength canoeing down the Warren River.
-- Charter a sailboat in Bristol.
-- See Block Island from above on a parasail ride.
-- Snorkel your heart out at Fort Wetherill in Jamestown.
-- Get on a surfboard at Narragansett Beach.
-- Take a sunset cruise around Newport harbor.
-- Soak your self in the sea at East Beach in Charlestown.

I'm not sure why, but Jamestown has always been a below-the-radar kinda town, seemingly just a place you drive through when getting to Newport. Folks might be surprised to know that it's got a beautiful coastline, rolling country pastures, sandy beaches, a busy marina, and a quaint downtown replete with groovy local businesses. I was reminded of its loveliness this past weekend when I attended a wedding at Beavertail Lighthouse. Even the drive to the lighthouse itself is gorgeous with pastures, beaches, and treelined streets. The current lighthouse, which was built in 1856 to replace the original one built in 1753, sits on a hill on a peninsula of land that juts out into the bay and offers amazing ocean and shoreline views. It's a great spot to picnic, sunbathe, hike a trail, watch sailboats go by, amble along the rocky shore, or cast a fishing line. (My uncle, who is a lobsterman, swears he saw a tuna leap out of the water behind my cousin as she was saying her vows. To which my aunt replied, "So you weren't paying attention to the vows, then?" Ah, the gender gap.) At any rate, if you prefer to be indoors, you can also get a lighthouse tour or visit the gift shop, which is only open weekends through Columbus Day, after which it will close for the season.

(photo from beavertaillight.org)

...ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE A DRAGONBOAT RACE:
Pawtucket Arts Festival

...WANT TO GET A JUMP START ON MAKING A SCARECROW:
Pezza Farm Days

...FEEL LIKE EATING YOUR WAY ACROSS RHODE ISLAND IN UNDER AN HOUR:
Taste of Rhode Island Festival

...LOVE TO STRETCH LIKE A CAT:
Free Community Yoga at All That Matters

...LIKE A LITTLE HISTORY AND SALT AIR WITH YOUR ART:
Newport Gallery Night

...SEEK ALL THE FIXIN'S FOR A FRESH MEAL:
Coastal Growers' Market

...HANKER TO BE LIKE SHERLOCK:
Astors' Beechwood Murder Mystery Tour

...WANT A TASTE OF BROADWAY WITHOUT LEAVING HOME:
"The Elephant Man" at the Gamm Theatre

...WANT TO SEE GORGEOUS THINGS WHILE RUNNING:
"Run around the Block" 15K Road Race

...ARE GEEKED ON HISTORICAL REENACTMENTS:
Civil War Living History Weekend

...WANT TO SEE A PAINTING MATERIALIZE BEFORE YOUR EYES:
Watercolor exhibit and demonstration at Cadeaux du Monde

...WANT TO SEE A CARVED BONE MATERIALIZE BEFORE YOUR EYES:
International Scrimshaw Competition

...LOVE TO LOOK AT SOMEONE ELSE'S HOUSE:
Pawtuxet Village House and Garden Tour

...COULDN'T OTHERWISE AFFORD TO SEE ELTON, BETTE, AND BARBRA ON THE SAME TICKET:
The Edwards Twins at Stadium Theatre

...HAVEN'T DRUMMED ENOUGH IN YOUR LIFE:
Circle of Wisdom Pow-wow

...NEVER GET ENOUGH PSYCH-ROCK:
Plastic People of the Universe at AS220

Food and Block Island. Two of my favorite things. Over the course of the last decade I've eaten in just about every restaurant and food establishment on the whole darn rock. Here's a "condensed" list of my favorite dishes. I recommend taking out a small loan, spending a week eating, then hiring a couple workers to roll you onto the ferry when finished....

-- Tuna Nachos from Eli's
-- Salad with polenta croutons and fresh mozzarella from Winfield's
-- Mahi-Mahi Burrito from The Oar
-- Tuna Steak sandwich from Rebecca's
-- Duck Quesadilla from Hotel Manisses (I don't technically eat duck, but I had it once
by accident and it was really good.)
-- Falafel Works from Froozie's
-- Eggplant Rollatini from Aldo's
-- Fried goat cheese and other tapas from The Atlantic Inn
-- Shrimp in crisp skins from Harry's Cafe
-- Fish-n-Chips from G.R. Sharky's
-- Glenn's slow-cooked BBQ from Pizza Plus
-- Crab cakes from The Beachead
-- Greek Sister sandwich from Three Sisters
-- Seared New Bedford Sea Scallops from The Spring House Hotel
-- Homemade Lemon Square from Ice Cream Place

Glenn's southern BBQ at Pizza Plus.

When I was in college I bought some caterpillars and raised them into butterflies. Watching them break out of their cocoons, unroll their wings and fly away remains one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. So I'm dedicating this blog to the insects of the order Lepidotera. (Side note: Potential future J.K. Rowling title: "Harry Potter's Kid and the Order Lepidotera"...?) This is a great time of year to get outside and search for our colorful friends. If you're lucky you might even see a migrating Monarch. Look for these long distance travellers on Milkweed (their favorite), Blazing Star or Goldenrod. You can find a list and read about the butterflies of Rhode Island here. I also recommend a visit to the Newport Butterfly Zoo where you can literally see hundreds of species. A good spot for hikers and people with kids is the Audubon Education Center at the McIntosh Refuge. Finally, if you just can't get enough, join the Butterfly Society of Rhode Island and help educate and inspire other future Lepidotera lovers.

A real Rhode Island butta-fly.

My fingers are stained purple. Why? Because August is the perfect time to pick and eat delicious blackberries. They grow on thorny bushes and can be found along many hiking trails around Rhode Island. Berries that are black are not necessarily ripe. Feel for ones that are slightly soft and pop off easily in your hand. If you want a plethora of the little black devils and not just what your hand can hold try one of the many local farms that have berry picking. Additionally, local restaurants and stores are selling their blackberry wares. Here are some of my Rhode Island favorites...

-- Creamy Block Island Blackberry Blossom Honey from Littlefield Bee Farm.

-- A coveted homemade blackberry pie from Sakonnet River Pie Co.

-- Blackberry Martini, made with berry puree, from the Hotel Manisses Restaurant on Block Island

-- Blackberry almond cake from Pastiche on Federal Hill.

-- A glass of blackberry enhanced Newport Merlot from Newport Vineyards

A not-quite-ripe blackberry!

Wickford Village is a wonderful place, especially in the summer. Here are some things I like to do when visiting...

10) Refuel my spiritual gas tank at The Grateful Heart.
9) Check out the architecture from the 1700's, especially Gilbert Stuart's birthplace.
8) Buy a used book at The Book Garden.
7) Kayak through Wickford Harbor.
6) Buy some loose herbs at the Herb Wyfe.
5) Nibble some fancy cheese from Wickford Gourmet.
4) Sit outdoors and have a drink at Tavern by the Sea.
3) Buy a strange item from Wickford Antique.
2) Buy Monkey dog a treat at Shaggy Chic.
1) Have some chowder at the Wickford Diner.

(The Book Garden in Wickford Village)

One of the best country towns in Rhode Island is Tiverton Four Corners. As the town website states, it's become "an important center for antiques, fine art, decorative crafts, and cozy shops nestled into a quaint New England Village of 18th century buildings." My friend and I went last weekend for the afforementioned Cultural Survival Bazaar. Since the curry had been scooped up by the time we arrived, we just went across the street to Provender. This is gourmet all the way - sandwiches made with thickly sliced fresh bread, expensive treats like "beer brittle," award winning cookies, and jars and jars of fancy condiments, teas, and treats. (They even had uptight looking old ladies in funny hats there. Perfect!) I ate a hummus and veggie sandwich while my friend gobbled a smoked turkey and cranberry. We debated about getting a butterscotch or cowgirl cookie, but decided to save our bellies for some Sakonnet wine at the vineyard down the street.

...PREFER STROLLING TO SAUNTERING OR SASHAYING:
Main Street Stroll in East Greenwich

...NEVER GOT ENOUGH USE FROM THAT BLUE RUFFLED TUX SHIRT:
Old School Prom

...LOVE LEGENDARY MUSICIANS IN HISTORIC CONTEXT:
Newport Folk Fest

...FINALLY WANT TO REPLACE THAT VELVET ELVIS WITH SOMETHING CLASSIER:
Newport Antiques Show

....WANT SOME HULA IN YOUR HIPS AND BEER ON YOUR LIPS:
Newport Storm Luau

...MISSED OUT IN YOUR YOUTH:
Ultimate RI Scavenger Hunt

...HAPPEN TO NOT FIND THIS AWFULLY BORING:
Revolutionary War Encampment

...LIKE YOUR MUSIC WITH ROOTS ATTACHED:
Rhythm and Roots Festival

...WANT REVENGE ON YOUR SIBLINGS:
Home Movie Day

...ALWAYS WANTED TO WHEEL A PLANE DOWN A RUNWAY:
Move That Plane! MS Jet Pull

...ARE SICK OF THE SAME OLD HOLLYWOOD BLOCKBUSTER:
RI International Film Fest

...HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED THIS KIND OF JOY IN A WHILE:
Annual Rose Island Lighthouse Clambake

...LIKE YOUR MUSIC WITH SOME IMPROVISATION:
JVC Jazz Fest

...ARE FEELING FESTY:
SummerFest Providence

...LOVE OLIVES AS MUCH AS I DO:
Annual Grecian Fest