Block Island getaway

We have been hammered with so much snow and rain this year that the first sign of sunshine found us scrambling to make the best of it. We had to take a vacation. Only, I picked a place that was just a little colder than we imagined it would be...Rhode Island. The forecast said it would be nice and sunny, in the mid-60's. What we didn't realize is that we had to factor in the cold sea breeze, so a 65 degree temperature turned out to be 45-50 degrees. But, we were on vacation (if you can call a 2-day trip a vacation), so we didn't really mind. Barely dodging the floods that had ravaged the state a few days earlier, we drove to Point Judith and took the ferryacross to Block Island, where we spent the weekend. I grew up in a beach town, so I soaked in the familiar sights and smells of the harbor.Though it was literally the first weekend of the season, the ferry was packed. Probably a lot of people like us, who were dying to get away!

A fellow passenger on the ferry, all set to partae

Leaving Point Judith behind

Block Island, as you can see, is a not-so-bustling little town, just opening it's doors to tourists, after a long, laid-back winter.

An artsy storefront

We checked into the 1661 Inn...a nice little B&B on the island...one of the very few that are open year-round. The island was shrouded in mist most of the weekend, hence the ghostly pic.

Our living quarters

...complete with bike stand.

Complimentary decanter of brandy in the room was a nice touch.

We lunched at the only open restaurant on the island. Ah! Clam chowder...how I cherish thee!

We biked along the road overlooking the beach. It doesn't look too hilly, but to the novice cyclist that I am, it was! We didn't bike much, but every steep mile left me gasping. We managed to get some decent pics before the sun disappeared.By the time we got the the lighthouse, the mist had completely taken over. We were told that on sunny days, we could see seals basking on the rocks. Of course, no such luck on a misty day like this!

Dinner was at Sharky's, another place that had magically opened by dinner time. We opted for clam chowder (again!), a fried squid appetizer and shared a seafood platter. The waitress served us the main course, then promptly knocked a glass of merlot onto DH's lap, staining the only pair of jeans he had brought on the trip. The poor woman was mortified. DH took it in stride...it takes a lot to ruffle the guy. The food was delicious and we tucked in, despite having eaten a huge lunch and a pre-dinner, brandy-accompanied snack.

I had to force myself out of bed at 7, but I don't get to run on the beach everyday, so I had to do it. It was not much of a run as I am still recovering from tendonitis, but with only the waves and the shrieking gulls for company, it was a serene experience.