Daytrip - 9/5/2020 - Fruit Loop, Ocean State Style

One of my favorite things to do is visit farms and pick the fruit or cut the flowers that I then get to take home to enjoy.  When I lived in Oregon, I would drive a few miles north of Portland to visit Sauvie Island.  The island is host to practically year-round activities ranging from pumpkin picking to u-pick raspberries and flowers to swimming on the nude beach.  Okay, there is also a bathing suite required beach, too.

Oregon offers a lot of agriculture.  I *think* it might be the largest producer of grass seed and filberts (aka hazelnuts). Currently, 99% of the U.S. hazelnut crop is produced in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.  You can also take a really gorgeous drive in the Columbia River Gorge area known as the Fruit Loop:

The Fruit Loop is just an hour away from Oregon's largest city, Portland. Located in the national scenic area called the Columbia River Gorge, and the nation's largest pear-growing region, this is one of the few places that offers the complete experience of growing, producing, and then enjoying fruit and wine.

Well, I don't live in Oregon any longer, so I decided to see what I could find right here in Little Rhody.  Today, I took a drive up north to see what orchards are offering this time of year and I came across four of them (apparently, there are a whole mess of them according to the RI Orchards Directory!).

🍑  Steere Orchard - 150 Austin Avenue - Greenville, RI 

Plenty of parking and offer all kinds of types of apples and peaches.  I picked up some honeycrisp apples and last-of-the-season peaches.  The gal was very generous to mix up a box of regular and white peaches for me but emphasized that she can't do that if it is busy.  Yes, I felt special. But when I asked to take a quick walk in the orchard, I was told by the owner that I couldn't (even though I just dropped about $30 bucks on fruit).  I didn't feel very special at that point. 

🍎  Appleland Orchard - 135 Smith Avenue, Greenville, RI 

Although their website is terribly out of date, this is a store just about five minutes away from the first place.  It offers a wider assortment of items to purchase including jam (I bought peach), cider (I picked up a half gallon), eggs, peaches, apples, plums, and all kinds of candy.  Their peaches were much prettier than the other locations.  

 

🌻  Elwood Orchard - 58 Snake Hill Road, North Scituate, RI

I stumbled upon this location on my way to my final destination and it was well worth the stop!  Jean and Al, a husband and wife team, own and operate this adorable family farm.  There are certified organic flowers you can cut, u-pick apples (most are certified organic as well) and a small store. I spoke to Al on my way back to my car and it was a friendly chat.  

 

🐶 Barden Family Orchard - 56 Elmdale Road, North Scituate

Now, if Elwood is a cute little place, Barden is quite the empire!  This farm was the largest one that I visited and even has a sweet, elderly collie who lives there. This location very much reminded me of one of my favorites back on Sauvie Island, Kruger's now called Topaz Farm. By the looks of the website, they have upped their game under the new ownership. Anyway, back to Barden Family Orchard.  You need to pay for admission to pick apples - it is part of the package price (admission + apples). Honestly, I didn't spot that until well after I walked around the orchard to capture some stunning photos. Whoopsie.  There is a big store with a mess of offerings, too. Oh, and I did meet the pooch!

  

 

I had a fantastic time exploring and my intention is to return to one of them to pick some of my own apples.  I am also going to return next season for raspberries and flowers. The apple picking season goes through October, folks, and pumpkins are going to be available in coming weeks. Maybe I will see you out there!

Daytrip - May 14, 2020 - India Point Park + Wickenden Street

Last year, I decided to go rogue and NOT find traditional employment (aka a desk job) and instead, pursue a longtime dream of being my own boss.  Going at it alone is a scary endeavor in a number of ways including having freak out thoughts about 'what about paying taxes?' and 'you have to pay for your own health insurance!'.  Yes, these two things alone are enough to freak out anyone wishing to be self-employed but then again, a day like today kind of makes it all worth it.

As a self-employed person, I can take the morning off.  Whenever I want to.  I don't need to put in a leave request with anyone.  Ever.  So today, knowing that we were expecting spectacular weather in Providence, Rhode Island, I made a plan: daytripping to India Point Park!

I've lived in the Ocean State for almost two years now.  I so love it here.  I have so much to discover which is one of my favorite past times as I am an explorer at heart.

India Point Park is over on the east side of Providence, not to be confused with East Providence:

"India Point Park is a park in the Fox Point neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island at the confluence of the Seekonk River and Providence River. The park takes its name from the maritime activity connecting Providence with the East and West Indies. The East Bay Bike Path begins at the eastern end of the park, and crosses over the Washington Bridge before heading to Watchemoket Square in East Providence and continuing on to Bristol and the Mount Hope Bridge. The park is also a part of the Washington–Rochambeau Revolutionary Route."

I parked at Wickenden & East Streets to access the pedestrian bridge to get to the park.  There were a few people there and it does include a playground for the eventual day children can gather to play.  For cyclist enthusiasts, there is the East Bay Bike Path access point:

"The East Bay Bike Path is a 14.5-mile paved rail trail in Rhode Island. The path begins at Providence and India Point Park, crosses the Seekonk River via the George Redman Linear Park and Washington Bridge and continues southeast to Bristol along the shoreline of Narragansett Bay. The path passes through the city of East Providence, the hamlet of Riverside, and the towns of Barrington and Warren. It is part of the East Coast Greenway, a 3,000-mile system of trails connecting the Canada–US border in Maine to Key West and provides access to Haines State Park, Brickyard Pond (Barrington), and Colt State Park. It is used annually by 1.1 million people."

This was a super exciting discovery - not because I ride a bike but because I've spotted this path while visiting Bristol and now may be motivated to get on a bike to make the ride!

Well, back to the park....I took my good ole time walking around and was delighted by some of the scenic opportunities including the view of an osprey hunting for lunch in the Green Jacket Shoal (which is a shoal and ship graveyard!).  It was a spectacular situation.  I mean, I am in the city and here is a bird prey dive bombing several times to get a fish.  On the third try, it had success and I cheered.

 

And, get this: I walked onto a wharf of sorts and had to do a triple take because there were hundreds of fish swimming by! This is not the best video, but can you see them?

As I headed back to my car, I decided to seek out a nice cappuccino.  I popped into Coffee Exchange but they were not serving espresso.  The nice fellow shared that The Shop, where I was conveniently parked across the street from, was offering it.  But I did pick up some roaster beans since he was so generous in sharing that with me and supporting his fellow business neighbors.  

 

I sure do love my PVD. Our lives have been disrupted by this virus that will not be named but I feel lucky to have access to explore the Ocean State and beyond over the summer months.  Until next time, if we happen to cross paths, What Cheer Netop!

Resources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India_Point_Park
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Bay_Bike_Path
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Jacket_Shoal

Daytrip May, 8, 2020: Woonsocket, RI

At the time of this writing, we are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and although we are about to be allowed to 'go back in the water', life is going to be quite different from here on out.

I, like many others, followed the stay at home rule with outings reserved for 'essential errands' like food shopping.  Today, I decided to take a day trip in order to feel 'normal' again (whatever that means, right?).

My regular sidekick, Liam, is not with me since he lives 3,071 miles away from Rhode Island but I sure do wish that he was here to go exploring with me.

I started daytripping back in 2014 when I was laid off from my very first job.  It was a challenging and interesting time but I discovered that I could overcome the dread of job seeking for at least a few hours a month by driving to different cities within 3 hours distance from my then home town of Portland, Oregon.  As I recall, I started in the fall and drove out the Columbia Gorge to visit Hood River. It was a magical experience with the foliage colors and lack of tourists swarming about.  Since that initial trip, I think I've made at least twenty or so jaunts like it over the past few years.

Back to present day then.  Since being confined to my house, I have been wanting to see a river, up close.  One with a waterfall would score some bonus points in my book and I saw a recent post by Riverzedge Arts that inspired me to pick Woonsocket, RI as today's destination.

Side note about Riverzedge Arts:  The nonprofit uses innovative applied and work-based learning strategies to teach art, design, and critical thinking to the youth of northern Rhode Island, providing our participants as well as our community with a path to economic and cultural sustainability. I was recently appointed to the board and am very excited to back the nonprofit's good work with youth.

Some background about Woonsocket.....

Before the arrival of European settlers in northern Rhode Island during the 17th century, today's Woonsocket region was inhabited by three Native American tribes—the Nipmucs (Cowesett), Wampanoags, and Narragansetts. In 1661, Roger Williams purchased the area from the "Coweset and Nipmucks", and in a letter referred to modern day Woonsocket as "Niswosakit".

Woonsocket Falls Village was founded in the 1820s. Its fortunes expanded as the Industrial Revolution took root in nearby Pawtucket. With the Blackstone River providing ample water power, the region became a prime location for textile mills. In 1831 Edward Harris built his first textile mill in Woonsocket. By 1913, a survey by the American Association of Foreign Language Newspapers found the city had to have the 6th largest population of French or French-Canadian foreign nationals in the country. In the decades that followed this population grew, and by time the local textile industry shuttered during the Great Depression the demographic comprised 75 percent of the population. French-language newspapers were published and sold; radio programs, movies, even most public conversations were conducted in French. As recently as 1980, 70% of Woonsocket's population was of French-Canadian descent, though the New England French they had once spoken had gradually declined and vanished from the public dialogue. The Museum of Work & Culture provides a fantastic overview of this rich history. I am definitely going to check that out once this dang pandemic crisis is over.

Oh, if you are a fan of This Old House, host Norm Abram hales from this city.

The Woonsocket Depot was rebuilt by the Providence and Worcester Railroad in 1882 and hosts “The Polar Express,’’ a 90-minute train trip through the Blackstone Valley. It was inspired by Chris Van Allsburg’s Christmas classic (the author is a former Providence resident as a student at RISD and also wrote Jumanji). Side note: the film, Jumanji, has now come up twice in the past 12 hours as a friend told me I reminder her of Bonnie Hunt, who starred in that film.

So back to my visit!

  

I packed a lunch and it took me about 30 minutes to get to downtown Woonsocket from Providence (which is a big deal since no one likes to drive more than 15 minutes in this state).  I parked right in the thick of things - next to the Woonsocket Falls Dam and it delivered on my hope for some serious waterfall action.

Woonsocket Falls Dam

I decided to walk around the downtown area and was awestruck by a number of impressive architectural features including former banks, city hall, and these murals.

 

Two fun facts: President Abe Lincoln visited the city in 1860 and Richard Gere filmed his movie, Hachiko the dog, in the Blackstone River Valley.

  

If you are ever in the area in the fall, you may want to check out their annual Autumnfest.  The next one is scheduled for October 2020 according the website.  It is on my calendar.

Woonsocket, like many cities and towns in the Ocean State, is saturated with history. As a newcomer, I am excited to explore as much of it as I can.  New England has become my new home and I love learning about the people, places, and things that make it so special.

If you would like to see all the photos I took during today's adventure, click here.

RESOURCES
(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woonsocket,_Rhode_Island
(2) https://www.boston.com/travel/travel/2017/12/08/woonsocket-embracing-its-history-is-worth-a-visit

A little bit of history, good coffee, and a telescope.

Earlier this week, I tagged along a friend's tour of the Rhode Island State Capitol in Providence. I have been in the building once before but didn't have any idea of how much art and history sit inside of its walls.  What a treat!

My friend, Freeman T. Freeman, is one of the tour guides at the State House and he provided an exceptional tour.  I only capture some of the fascinating facts he shared with me and if you are ever in PVD, be sure to check out the tour yourself.

Here are some of the things I learned:

• The Rhode Island State Capitol building has the fourth largest non-centrally supported dome structure in the world.  Can you name the first three?

• Rhode Island was the first state given permission by the King the absolute freedom of religion.
• Rhode Island was the last state to sign the US Constitution waiting for the Bill of Rights to be included.
• Rhode Island Governor Sprague abolished the death penalty in the state in response to a final straw of injustice: the hanging of an innocent man.  There was a claim of a crime and the authorities rounded up the three strangers who were in the vicinity.  One of them couldn't provide an alibi and was sentence to death by hanging.  Shortly after, the actual criminal confessed to the crime.

 

• Christiana Carteaux Bannister was an amazing woman.  Part African, part Narragansett Indian, she advocated for black soldiers to receive equal pay and she is one of the founders of the Providence Art Club.

• The portrait of George Washington in the Governor's Salon has been appraised at $10 million (*) and although his foot is positioned in an angle, no matter which side of the room you stand, the foot is point right at you.

Later that night, I checked out Robin Kall's series, The Cardigan Connection. It is a monthly reading series held at Askew that features    This month, Zach Powers (FIRST COSMIT VELOCITY), Daniela Petrova (HER DAUGHTER’S MOTHER), Kate McQuade (TELL ME WHO WE WERE), Barbara Bourland (FAKE LIKE ME) shared bits of their books with the crowd. Your first night attending is FREE. Sign up for her e-newsletter to stay in the know of upcoming events. She also has a podcast called Reading with Robin that features interviews with all kinds of authors.

And that was just Tuesday. On Wednesday, I finally visited the famed White Electric Coffee for a decaf cappuccino.  The shop is about six blocks from my house but I have never checked it out. Since I was on my way to a top secret training session (*), I found my Doris Day parking spot and popped in to pick up a cup of fancy joe.  By the way, the gal sitting under the big 'E' gave me permission you post that photo.

Today, as I was driving home, I spy with my little eye....an observatory!!!!  I have held a long time love of the celestial beauty above our little heads.  I quickly pulled over to go check it out/to see if Ladd Observatory was open to the public.  Alas, it is only on Tuesday nights (when weather permits) but Mike (the facilities guy) gave me a quick tour and I can't wait to go back to use that grand telescope to look at Saturn. He also shared that there is a nearby star gazing group called Skycrapers Inc. in North Scituate (***).  With a mission as a 'group of people who are interested in the wonders of the sky', I am sold.

Tomorrow, I am meeting a local lifestyle blogger with hopes to convince her to contribute to my Artclectic New England podcast. Speaking of podcasts, next month, I am a guest on the Grow Smart RI podcast to share my story about moving to Providence and my love of the arts. 

Dames Who Dine has offered lots of opportunities to check out all kinds of eateries around the area.  My pal, Rose, and I are doing the unthinkable on (according to Rhode Island legend): we are driving south for about 30 minutes to visit a restaurant in Bristol, RI.  Apparently, these Rhodies don't like to drive very far even though the state is so tiny.  Go figure.

I've got a couple of other great things coming up this weekend including a visitor from Oregon!

#IHeartExploring

(*) More on that later!

(**) Idea: sell that painting and pay for improvements in the school system.  Just a thought.

(***) Can you guess how that is pronounced?  Bet you can't.

Warren, RI + Bristol, RI

I went exploring again.  This time another visit to Colt State Park in Bristol, RI. It is often called the the 'gem' of the state's park system and it became clear as to why: expansive greenspace with a panorama view of Narragansett Bay. I accidentally stumbled upon in last month when Uncle Liam came east for a visit.  We were driving back from Newport, RI and decided to meander our way back to Providence. But more on the park later!

 

We also discovered Warren, RI that is a quaint town just north of Bristol and has one of the sweetest libraries I've been in. It is called the George Hail Free Library and it was established in 1888. Actually, it started in 1871 as an association but later this Romanesque Revival styled structure was built using a substantial donation by George's widow, Martha. At first glance, I thought it was church turned into a library but staff shared with me that it has always been a home for books. You can read about its history here.

Well, I was so smitten with both experiences, I decided to take another daytrip down to both locations.  I stopped in Warren to grab a coffee before driving down to the park last Sunday morning.  I had a grand plan: take walk around parts of the 400+ park and then sit my butt down in my chair by the bay, to read and even nap.

My walk started along the water's edge and then I came upon a rocky beach which reminded me so much of the Oregon Coast. I sat for a few quiet moments to smell the briny air and feel the cool breeze on my face.

 

I continued my stroll into the woods and towards a structure I caught a glance of the last time I was at the park.  As it turned out, it is the park office, believe it or not.  Originally, it was the barn for the former landowner's prized cows and horses.  The offices are in the former trophy room.  

I patiently waited for the older gentleman in the room to finish his very important report on the 'strange truck he saw driving in the area' and asked for a bit of history on the property and structure.  I was given a very informative handout but in summary, Samuel P. Colt built the farm.  He comes from the DeWolf family who developed the port of Bristol and were very powerful.  They also carried on the Slave Trade after it was outlawed by Rhode Island.  They pretty much owned the town and when things imploded in the 1840s, they also dragged the whole town into bankruptcy. 

Many years later Samuel restored the family's money and erased much of their bad reputation. He purchased several parcels of land that would eventually become Colt Farm and it was something to behold.  It had a main house, barns, a party casino, and stables. Statues of mythical Greek gods and goddesses could be found all over the grounds. 

And he loved his cows.  No expense was spared in the care of his beloved bovines: each cow had its own designated caretaker who would polish its horns and wash its tails, everyday. Cork and rubber covered the concrete floors where the cows stood.  It was spotless and heated in the winter season. 

There is a historic farm called Coggeshall that has been in operation since 1750 (!) that I plan to visit when I return to the area.

After my history chat, I walked back to the water and plopped myself down to read and take a nap.  As I did so, the park filled with hundreds of people hosting baby showers, barbecues, family reunions, and just hanging out by the bay for the day. It was an idyllic space and with that cool wind coming off the water, I was in heaven. So many different languages and I was also surrounded by laughter. I even sketched the scene before me of deep blue water, puffy white clouds, and a sprinkle of sailboats.  What a day!

 

Well, fast forward about a week's time and I was back in Warren with my friend, Ellen.  We headed down to check out some music but as it turned out, we messed up on the time but no worries, we came up with a tasty Plan B: Blount Clam Shack on the Waterfront.  O.M.G. - was that lobstah roll, delish. If they aren't world famous, they should be. I can't wait to go back!

If you ever plan on visiting Rhode Island, be sure to check out Bristol and Warren. Oh, and you better call me so we can go get ourselves a lobstah roll, okay?