Days 17-18: Newport, RI

Newport was a busy place. Of course it was a weekend so that probably made it more so. There was a forecast of rain the whole time. Luckily when it did rain, it was mostly at the right time. After several days of mostly figuring it out as we went, things were more prescribed here in Newport. Because it was hard to get a reasonably priced hotel room, we secured an Air B&B ahead of time. Most of our big meals were at recommended places with a reservation in place.

The big gilded age mansions are one of the prime attractions here. We visited three of them. This is “Marble House”. They are all over the top, but fascinating to see and think of living in them over 100 years ago.

This is an example of over the top. The details and craftsmanship are amazing.

These houses were able to afford the newest technologies and features of the time, including running water and electricity. In the photo you see four valves, two for regular hot and cold water, and two for hot and cold sea-water.

Two of the houses were for Vanderbilt brothers. They liked paintings of themselves.

Most of these mansions were build looking over the ocean, with large yards out back. Note that these were summer homes, as these families had homes New York City and elsewhere. They actually called them cottages.

Newport is a great town with a bit if everything. We were shocked to see the national retail stores on our short walk the first night we were here (it has been over two weeks since we’ve seen any!). But there are plenty of nice local shops along with touristy places.

The harbor there was extremely busy over the weekend. Personal boats and plenty of tourists riding on sail boats and sight seeing boats. It seemed almost traffic jam like.

We visited the nice car museum there.

The local Greek Orthodox church had a Hellenic festival. It was mainly a food fest and we enjoyed our dinner there

Cooking Greek food.

Historical re-enactors were in action Saturday.

I liked the outside look of this small baseball stadium in town. I didn’t get to see the inside.

Beside a very heavy overnight storm pre-dawn Saturday, the forecasted rain held off - until late Sunday afternoon. These boats were running in fast to avoid the big dump that was soon to come.

These girls were shocked when we told the that the writing on their sign was “melting” in the rain.