Newport, RI. Aug 1st - 5th

We had perfect weather for our entire stay in Newport. So nice that we left the windows open 24/7. Newport RV Resort doesn't have a lot of amenities (no pool, jacuzzi, outdoor games, etc.) but it's very well maintained with a nice blend of shade and sun. Full hook ups, lots of grass, and a GREAT dog park. Perfect base for us to see what we wanted to see in Newport.

Day one was a catch-up day. All the cleaning I mentioned in my last post plus a hair day for Melissa and a monthly vet visit for Stella.

Our next day was a lot of exploration so we sent the girls to daycare. We've used Rover (www.rover.com) several times now and we've found great care for the girls. We started the day with the Cliff Walk. It's a walk along the oceanfront cliffs where numerous mansions were built in the Gilded Age (late 1870s to early 1900s), a time of prosperity and extreme wealth growth for some Americans. In my opinion, it was kind of absurd how much wealth inequality there was. Some of the mansions are still privately owned but most are now owned by the Newport Conservatory.

It was a short drive for lunch at the New York Yacht Club. Yes, they actually have a location in New York City and another on the water in Rhode Island. It's a private club and consistently ranks as one of the most exclusive Yacht Clubs in America, so we owe a big thank you to a member we know who sponsored us for the day. Great lunch and a very relaxing afternoon.

We spent the late afternoon wandering through downtown Newport which is very walkable and filled with restaurants, bars, and tourist stores. Yes, I did bitch about the $39 for two hours of parking but we did see some lots where you could park the entire day for $60. Geewiz, what a bargain. 😂 As we passed by Wally's Wieners, we were intrigued by the fact that they had hot dogs and expresso martinis, so we had to meander in. Talk about eclectic...it's sort of a diner vibe downstairs and a speak-easy upstairs. Same menu on either floor and a full bar. You can order an expresso martini in a Godzilla size martini glass with straws for everyone at your table. We chose to sit upstairs and partake in a Chicago dog and a couple cocktails. We picked up Stella & Rita in the early evening and bbq'd steaks for dinner. Yum!

Our final day we got to hook up with a friend, Diana, from back home who was visiting her mom in Rhode Island. Nice afternoon catching up over cocktails and appetizers. See you in December Diana.

Melissa booked a rail car experience for that night that turned out to be super fun. You essentially pedal a buggy (I don't know what else to call it) for three miles along the coast on train tracks that were built in the 1860s. Then you stop for 30-45 minutes on a beautiful bluff where they have individual fire pits and andirondack chairs set up. They supply everything for smores and you supply whatever you're drinking. Then you pedal back. Something we'd never done but would definitely recommend it.

Once again, we saw three states in one day yesterday. Breakfast in Rhode Island before we headed to Connecticut, where we had lunch, before we took the ferry to New York. This was the first time we'd put Betty on a ferry. Worked out great! Drove her on with Lou still connected. Parked her and went to the upper deck and enjoyed the 80 minute cruise. Drove her off and had a 15 minute drive to North Fork RV Resort. Saved us about 4-5 hours of driving time.

I'll tell you more about Long Island in my next post but I can tell you right now that I love our site here. The park is going through a multi-year upgrade and our site is full turf so it'll be really easy to keep everything clean. Heated pool within a 30 second walk and several nice beaches within a 10 minute bike ride. Plus we're getting visitors while we're here. Stay tuned.