My Rhode Island Journal

My Rhode Island Journal

18 Jul, 2017

Welcome to the Pambling Roads My Rhode Island Journal

Our travels have brought us all around the "lower 48". We've tried to zip zag and circle through and around every state we could. Florida was where this endeavor started.

Enjoy your journal.

Thank you for taking this wonderful journey with us. It has been absolutely incredible.  Please keep in mind that some museums don’t allow photography.

Pambling Roads−My Rhode Island Journal

Our travels so far have taken you with us to most of the southeastern states up to Washington, D.C. Please check out the rest of the Pambling Roads blogs and journals.

The adventure continues. I need to make a point about my recommendations. A reader asked why I don't mention more places we’ve eaten...because either they didn’t stand out, or I wouldn't recommend them, and if that’s the case, I'm not going to write about them.

I could tell you the horror stories: Forgotten refills, cold food, bad service, rude servers, making us feel as if we’re interrupting their day, slamming glasses on the table, slamming dishes in the busboys dish tray, taking our plates before we were finished eating, not getting my tea that I ordered, waiting forever for our check, our food order misplaced, other guests who sat down after us getting their food, and finished eating before we have even gotten ours, being over-charged, etc. The list could go on.

None of the hotels we stayed at had any problems. There were a few times when hotel guests were a bit noisy, letting their doors slam, around midnight or in the very early morning, but hotels can't fix rude and inconsiderate guests.

The adventure continues:

From D.C. we drove straight to Newport, RI where we stayed with relatives and had a wonderful time. We did the normal haunts where residents from the island go, no tourist stuff since I was born and raised there, and have pretty much seen it all several times over.

Although, there is plenty to see from sparkling beaches, Cliff Walk and the Forty Steps, the Ocean Drive, to the historical summer cottages from the gilded era.

When you hit the peak of the Newport Bridge…there’s no feeling quite like the comfort of knowing you’re home.

But first, we must start with La Forge Casino Restaurant on Belleview Avenue. La Forge has been around forever and has taken care of generations of Newporters and guests. It’s situated right next to the Tennis Hall of Fame−can't miss it. Don't miss it. It has good food, great service, and awesome entertainment. It’s a must.

If you go on a Friday or Saturday evening, you’ll be highly entertained by a very talented man. Dave is well known and very well liked, and will draw a crowd just because. You want him to play your favorite song; chances are...Dave will know it.

Next on our list of must-do and a great place to go is downtown, right near the famed Washington Square. Billy Goode's Tavern and Restaurant on Marlborough St, some great history connected to Billy Goode's. We went on a Sunday evening and were entertained by the Kane Brothers, Phil and Buddy. The room was packed and the crowd practically sang along with every song. (Billy Goode's closed a few years ago.−Thanks for the memories.)

Another restaurant we enjoyed was a little more subdued than singing along with Dave at La Forge and/or the Kane brothers. The Boat House restaurant in Tiverton, RI had the best service and mouth-watering food. The restaurant’s on the water and probably has one of the most beautiful views of the Sakonnet River. Reservations are recommended.

Sites to see in Newport:

The mansions, we recommend visiting as many as you can possibly see while you’re in Newport! They’re absolutely beautiful. The Preservation Society continues to excel in their care of these beautiful homes. Yes, I do have favorites: The Marble House, The Breakers, The Elms, Rosecliff, and Rough Point.

However, I've never toured Rough Point since the Restoration Foundation has taken it over, but I do recall how grand it was. I have a few memories of visiting Ms. Duke with my mother, and standing in front of a window at Rough Point that had a bunch of coat of arms or crests on it. I remember staring at it, every time we visited, fascinated by the way the sun was making it sparkle.

If you don’t tour the Chateau, at least drive down the side street and check out The Monkey Chair ~ Chateau-sur-Mer, Wetmore Estate. (Shepard Ave.)

Black sand beach ~ Ocean Drive

Near Downtown Newport

The Newport Jazz Festival:

The festival is held at Fort Adams. Years ago, yes, admitting my age temporarily. Years ago, I recall attending the Jazz Festival at Freebody Park, and then over at Festival Field before they moved it to the fort.

The Newport Music Festival:

So much absolutely awesome music!

If you feel like walking, Cliff Walk is a fascinating and relaxing walk. It was minutes from our home and if we weren’t heading to the beach, we went to the cliffs and hung around at the Forty Steps. (Before they closed off access to the rocks…well, truth be told, and sometimes after.)

You can see the back yards of many of the Newport Mansions along the cliffs, the Forty Steps at the east end of Narragansett Avenue, a view of the Chinese Tea House, and the repaired/blocked off tunnels where history seems to have been forgotten and set aside.

The Lighthouse, Narragansett Bay, RI

 I miss Little Rhody, the smallest state with the largest name.

Thank you very much for stopping by. 

My Rhode Island Journal is available on Amazon or you may order a copy from your favorite book store.

My Rhode Island Journal continues following the Pambling Road travels, helping readers spark their interest with historical trivia and tidbits about Rhode Island. It’s an interactive journal designed to nurture creativity and self-motivation.
With a small section in the front of the book by the Pambling Roads author sharing her travels, she’s included short quips about the places she's been.The second portion features one side for drawings, sketches, or pasting personal pictures, and the other side lined for notes or journal writing.
Use this journal to cultivate exploration, focus on daily acknowledgment of the simple joys of life, on the blessings given, or to write down inspirational quotes−whatever your heart desires, and stirs your interest.Great for all ages!

Pambling Roads Journals are books for you to fill in the blanks. Grab your journal today.

Comments are welcome!