Tag Archives: Block Island

Rhode Island – The Ocean State

Rhode Island was never a place I’ve given much though about. I knew it was the smallest state because that is one of those trivia facts you pick up in elementary school, but when we had Ryana pointed toward Rhode Island I had no idea what to expect. Our first view of Rhode Island was Block Island which we came to as we (finally) left Long Island Sound. Block Island was by far the busiest place we’d been to. We tried to get one of their 65 mooring balls, but all of them were full! Luckily the anchorage had good holding so we squeezed ourselves in between a huge catamaran and several other boats. We had a moment of excitement when our starboard engine cut out right as we were attempting to anchor but with Ryan at the helm we did just fine.  Once we got settled Ryan thought it was a little close for comfort, but we sucked it up and kept our fingers crossed. 🙂

Where did all these boats come from?

Where did all these boats come from?

We holed up here for several days waiting out some bad weather. The skies got very interesting looking.

The skies have eyes and they are looking at me!

The sky has an eye and it’s looking at me!

For the first few days we mostly did chores, but we did walk the mile and a half into town one day to mail a package at the post office. Block Island is apparently a big tourist destination and people were flooding off the ferries when we walked by town.

Downtown BI.

Downtown BI.

We also encountered this cruising catamaran and it just goes to prove that it’s not the size of the boat but…

Weight to size ratio is amazing.

Weight to size ratio is amazing.

Even staying on the boat though we had plenty of entertainment. One night there was a wedding on shore and to celebrate the joyous event that evening there were fireworks! After the fireworks I got very concerned because a lot of the boats in the harbor were sounding their horns. Ryan calmed me down by telling me that is how boats applaud. Ha!

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On our 3rd day on Block Island the weather turned nice so we went for a bike ride around the island. It is a very pretty place! First we went up to the north shore and checked out the beach and lighthouse there.

North Shore Lighthouse

North Shore Lighthouse

Lighthouse up close.

Lighthouse up close.

View from the lighthouse.

View from the lighthouse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then we turned back through town and rode to the south shore. We checked out the lighthouse there and then found this area where you can go down off the cliffs to the shore. It was gorgeous there and we enjoyed the view.

South shore lighthouse.  Which is nicer?

South shore lighthouse. Which is nicer North or South?

Descending the cliffs

Descending the cliffs

The other way

The other way

Rocks on a rock

Rocks on a rock

Our bike ride was about 10 miles and covered a lot of the island. What a nice way to spend the day. What could make it better? How about sushi and a beer after getting cleaned up.

Beer well earned.  I think Stanley wants some too!

Beer well earned. I think Stanley wants some too!