Locations:
Pawtucket and Newport
When: Thanksgiving week
Miles traveled: 167 mi
Price of gas: $3.93
Camping style: NA
High point: Pawtucket Public library
Low point: Only seeing the harbor at dusk, and not being able to visit it during the daytime.
One thing learned: God is good at time management.
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| Modern Diner |
I
drove through Rhode Island a few days before Thanksgiving, stopping at
Modern Diner for lunch. It is a national historic site. Its a classy
place, suited for small groups of people. The Sterling Streamliner
front accommodates guests, but all the food is prepared in an attached
building behind.
Afterwards, on the advice of a
waitress I drove down to Newport and the Cliff Walk National Recreation
Trail. I walked a small section, from Forty Steps north to Memorial
Blvd and back. Afterwards, I went on a hunt for a Rhode Island sticker
and encountered an awesome sea worthy ship and scrimshaw artwork. I
don't know anything else about the ship, but scrimshaw was a hobby for
whalers. They carved designs into polished ivory, applied ink, and re-cleaned the surface. In addition to traditional sources of ivory, the
store also sold pieces created from piano keys, cow and ox bones.
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Scrimshaw artwork
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I love public libraries. Please support your local public library! I have found libraries to be the most reliable place for year round open bathrooms (during business hours), and wifi. They are public= free, and most librarians are friendly and helpful. Not all gas stations have public restrooms, many parks lock their restrooms in winter. It is my understanding that if a restroom is not heated, then it is closed for the winter, and probably the water is turned off so nothing freezes and breaks.
I was skeptical about enjoying my time in Rhode Island since I was "just driving through", and concerned about being out too late. (I'm not a fan of driving after 6:30pm since I start to get tired.) But I had a good time, and I'm sure Rhode Island has many other interesting places worth visiting.
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| Sunset |
