Newport Weekend Reflections

It has been a while since I've shared a reflection on the blog Weekend Reflections hosted by James.  I happened upon this scene early in the morning along the wharfs in Newport.  I took a number of pictures, but a with a little breeze the reflections were washed away.  Sometimes you just have to be lucky.  Have a nice weekend, and thanks for looking.

Herreshoff Marine Museum

Located in Bristol, RI, the Herreshoff Marine Museum is located at the site of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Co, a company known for the design and manufacture of some of the fastest sailing sloops in the world, including five defenders of the America's Cup.  The company also made the first US Navy torpedo boats.  Today the museum houses a number of historic boats, antique steam engines, and an extensive collection of model boats all of which tell the story of Herreshoff Manufacturing.   The museum also is the site for the America's Cup Hall of Fame.  This was a fascinating place to visit and presented a number of great photo opportunities.

Bannsiter Wharf

Newport, RI

On a Saturday evening, the wharf is a popular place.  

Afternoon Wine Tasting

Newport, RI 

Not only does the Adele Turner Inn offer a fine place to sleep and a hearty breakfast, typical of the B&B's throughout New England, on Saturday afternoons, they offer a complimentary wine tasting.  We were offered three varieties of wine from a local vineyard along with fruit, cheese, and crackers.  It was the perfect way to end a day of sight seeing around Newport before our dinner that evening at one of the many fine restaurants in the area. 

Trinity Church

Newport, RI

Matthew C Perry

Touro Park, Newport, RI

Just up from the mysterious Old Stone Mill stands this statue of Cmdr. Matthew C Perry, a commander in the US Navy who distinguished himself in battle during the Mexican-American War and the War of 1812.  He recognized the importance of steam power and is considered to be The Father of the Steam Navy".  He also played a very important role in the opening of Japan to the west, which explains this pagoda type structure found nearby.

Mystery Structure

Newport, RI

Across the street from the Channing Memorial Church stands this interesting structure.  It's a bit of a mystery since it is not known who built it, nor what it was used for.  Of course there are all sorts of "theories" ranging from early viking settlers to extraterrestrials as to who built it.  Known locally as the Old Stone Mill, it was probably built by Benedict Arnold, great-grandfather of the Revolutionary traitor, sometime in the 1600's.  

Channing Memorial Church

Newport, RI

There are no shortages of churches throughout the New England area.  Many of the congregations and the church buildings themselves date from 1600-1700's and were founded on the principles of religious freedom.  The steeples dominate the landscape.  This is the Channing Memorial Church, built in 1880 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Rev. William Ellery Channing, one of the founders of Unitarianism who had been born and raised in Newport.  Rev. Channing's statue can be found just across the street from the church bearing his name.

Adele Turner Inn

Newport, RI

Whenever we travel, my wife and I enjoy staying at local bed and breakfasts.  We find them interesting, comfortable and the breakfasts are wonderful.  This year, as a Christmas present, my daughter and son-in-law treated us to a stay at this inn in Newport, RI.  Located on Pelham St, the first gas-lit street in America, the inn was built in 1855 to house captains and officers of shipping merchant Augustus Littlefield.  It is believed to be the oldest lodging house still serving guests in Rhode Island.  It sits on land that was once owned by Benedict Arnold, the great-grandfather of the infamous Revolutionary War traitor, who was a governor in these parts back in the mid to late 1600's.  Innkeepers Cheryl and Harry Schatmeyer were a pleasure to meet.  They made us feel right at home.  

Gone Fishin'

Norwich, CT

I'm going to take a couple of days of vacation and will be back posting sometime later this week.  If I were really efficient, I'd have a whole week's worth of pictures already scheduled to be posted, in fact I've done that in the past.  Truth be told, I've felt I need some fresh images and I haven't been out and about as much lately and when I do get out, it seems I am drawn to the same scenes and objects I've shared here.  So I'm going to spend some time looking for some new photo opportunities and some new ways to look at some old objects.  I might even play with a re-design of this blog.  I won't be gone for long and I'll be keeping up with all the photo blogs I follow.  Thanks for looking

Forgotten Fireplace

Niantic, CT

I came across this fireplace/grill on a side of a hill over looking a pond while on a recent walk around my neighborhood.  It looks like it hasn't been used in a while.

Vendor Signs

Jonathan Edwards Winery

Wine Barrels

Jonathan Edwards Winery, North Stonington, CT

It wasn't the best day to be at the winery.  As you can tell from this week's posts, it was very foggy and rainy for most of the afternoon.  Despite the bad weather, there was a very good turnout for this year's Spring Wine Festival at Jonathan Edwards.  There was good wine, food and music for all who braved the elements.  No one seemed to be bothered by the weather, when it wasn't raining too hard, I was able to get some pictures around the vineyard.  

Grape Vine 33

Jonathan Edwards Winery, North Stonington, CT

Grape vines

Jonathan Edwards Winery, North Stonington, CT

Stairs

Jonathan Edwards Winery, North Stonington CT.

Carriage

Mystic Seaport

Drive Thru

Niantic, CT

This has got to be one of the smallest drive-thrus I've ever seen.  There's barely enough room inside for one worker.  I think I've seen bigger hot-dog carts on the streets of New York City.  I walk past this place often, and I keep telling myself one of these days I'm going to stop for a hot dog, or perhaps a hot lobster roll. 

Seaport Street Scene

Mystic Seaport

Seaport Visitor

Mystic Seaport

Recently Theodore Too visited Mystic Seaport.  This tugboat is a full sized replica of a scale model used for the filming of a popular 1990's Canadian TV television show Theodore Tugboat.  The tugboat was on it's way back to its homeport of Halifax, Nova Scotia after spending the winter in Florida.  It's not everyday that one gets to see such a happy tugboat..

Pot Holes

Rocky Neck State Park

These pot holes are formed naturally when a rock gets caught in a depression and gets moved about within by wave action, eventually wearing down the rock.  During the process, the original rock eventually wears away and a larger rock will get trapped, and the process is repeated for I would imagine thousands of years, leaving these pot holes.  As you can see they still trap rocks, and water.  I guess the process continues to this day.

Choices

Rocky Neck State Park

Rock Ledge

Rocky Neck State Park

Directions

Rocky Neck State Park

Two Views

Long Island Sound from Rocky Neck State Park

One of the trails at Rocky Neck State Park afforded some nice views of the bay and Long Island Sound.