Newport RI, a trip down memory lane

We were lucky enough to get a space at the Newport RV Park just 15 minutes from the city of Newport RI. Our first order of business upon waking the next morning was to go to our old neighborhood to see the flat we rented.

We lived in the upstairs flat and entered the door on the left. Our neighbors below us were an older man and his wife, he was bedridden and on oxygen and his bed was setup so he could look out the windows on the lower floor. Our little social butterfly of a daughter would play in the front, behind a fence that is no longer there, and just chatter away with him. He really enjoyed it but I doubt he understood a word she was saying. There was an old cat that lived somewhere close by and when the little girls in the neighborhood would find him, they would dress him up in doll clothes and push him around in their doll carriages. All that old tom cat would do is purr, he loved the attention. The dogs in the neighborhood were terrified of him and would not cross his path, turning around to go another way if they had to!

One of the things I remember is riding my bike to work via Thames Street. This street was all cobblestone when we lived here. Numerous traffic reconfiguration has reduced the cobblestones to just a little section and the street to one lane, one way but glad to see they are still there. The cobblestones came from the ballast of the sailing ships that visited Newport. When the ships started on loading the cargo to take back to England, they did not need the ballast so it was piled along the wharf and then used for paving.

A view of Thames Street now. I cant believe I rode my 10 speed over that road! The street is lined with shop, restaurants and pubs now. When we were there it was not near as touristy but still fun to wander around on. After fighting the traffic, and there is a lot of it now, we headed for the Black Pearl Restaurant down on the wharf for a bowl of clam chowder. It was the place we chose to eat when we lived here and it was still good.

The inside of the pearl has not changed a bit as far as we remember. It is dark, with low ceilings and sits right on the wharf over looking the harbor. Somethings have changed, the parking use to be right outside but now it is down the street in a lot that charges $30 for the day. The wharf used to full of nautical shops providing the boaters, and working fishing boats with all the gear they needed. I enjoyed hanging around the sail makers and watching them stitch the sails for the 12 meter Americas Cup boats. Today it is full of art galleries, book stores, and a wide variety of small crafts and art shops.

Did I say that Rhode Island was steeped in American history? This Benedict Arnold was the first Governor of Rhode Island. His traitorous great-grandson was the one we all remember! Walk down almost any street in Newport and you will see houses with plaques on them with the date of first construction and who was the original owner. It is not uncommon to see dates in the early 1700's.

It is no secret that Newport, RI was and still is a place where some of the wealthiest families come to spend summer by the water or to live here. The location near New York City and the activities available made it a draw for families such as the Astor's, Vanderbilt's, Morgan's and others in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The most famous mansion, The Breakers, was built by the Vanderbilt's and still stands today. It is not uncommon to find mansions with 30 or more bedrooms!

The "gilded age" brought titans from business and industry to Newport and they each tried to out do the other with the summer homes. The largest being the Breakers, with its 70 rooms and 130,000 square feet of living space. It is now a National Landmark and you can tour the property. These mansions of the gilded age show the owners preoccupation with social status and emulation of European Aristocracy. Ocean Drive takes you around the edge of Newport and many mansions. Including those currently owned by Jay Leno, Larry Ellison of Oracle fame, and others. In fact, Larry Ellison owns Sea cliff Estates, when we left Newport, we sold our purebred Great Dane to a young man who's grandmother lived at Sea cliff.

Our trip down memory lane was complete and we head for Hershey, PA for a visit to Gettysburg National Battlefield and, of course, Hershey Chocolate! Hope to see you there!