Tiny State

Thirty-three Rhode Island’s could fit in Alabama. Yes, it’s a teeny tiny state, but with large amounts of charm! Rhode Island is a beautiful state, and you can tell the locals are proud of it. The prices show it. So, what did that mean for two teachers traveling on a budget? Camping.  We camped out for two nights in Burlingame State Park. The campground was expansive, and our site was perfect - a bit secluded and very quiet.

Through research and word of mouth, we learned that Newport was the area we should see - the place where all the wealthy had chosen to build a home. So, we climbed out of our tent and did our best to doll ourselves up for a day spent wandering around the mansions. We walked much of the small town, gawking at the estates behind fences and wandering into touristy shops. You could spend days touring the many mansions that offer tours, but we chose instead to spend our money at an afternoon tea. Afternoon tea was something I discovered in England, and it is a rarity here in the states, so when I see it offered, I jump at the chance. Afternoon tea was invented by a wealthy lady in the small town of Woburn for that sinking feeling you get in the middle of the afternoon. Of course it includes tea, but also three layers of deliciousness. The first is finger sandwiches, next is scones with clotted cream and jam, and the top layer is dainty sweets. Our tea at the Vanderbilt mansion was a bit different from ones I had had previously, but still delicious and charming. My flavor of tea: sugar plum fairy.

We also enjoyed the Cliff Walk in Newport.  It is a (mostly) sidewalk that runs along the top of the cliff above the rocky shoreline.  On our walk, the ocean was to the left under the fog, and the mansions were on the right.  While it was lovely, there was something odd about being fenced off from the giant homes, and yet, getting to walk around in their front yards.  The sad part to me was also that these stunning homes did not have easy access to the ocean they looked out over.  The mansions we walked by were huge, stunning, and glimpses of the way the wealthy live, but also glimpses of days gone by as many of the homes are no longer owned by the family.  I'm not positive why this was the place so many of the wealthy families decided to build their homes as it is stunning, but I can only imagine that there are only a few months each year you could actually enjoy the weather in these places.

Newport, though, did seem like the perfect place for Jessica and I to make a purchase that we had been looking for.  Our new wine glasses (with covers to keep the bugs out at the campsite) make us feel fancy just like all the people in those mansions!

On our way out of the state, we drove through Providence.  It was a beautiful downtown area with old buildings, green space and new shiny buildings mixed in.  There were lovely homes on the hill above the city.  We ended up at a very hipster restaurant in a seemingly up and coming neighborhood, with a delicious serving of vegetables that we really needed.

Our country's tiniest state is truly lovely and has lots of offer, whether it is visiting a mansion or sleeping in a tent, or anything in between!