2025-07-27 Newport, RI - a couple of tourist trips

We were still carrying our old mainsail around on the boat, as we did not want to just throw it into a dumpster somewhere.  On Sunday, we took our old main sail into “Sea Bags”.  It’s a store that accepts used sails, then in their factory in Maine, they cut them up, and sew them into different bags.  Since our old main was so large, we got the choice of any bag in the store for free in exchange for donating the mainsail.   We picked out a nice bag we can use for shopping trips.  Could have got a larger duffel bag, but we have many duffels already, and wanted something we might use more frequently.

Taking in the old mainsail on a chilly morning

Dean was smart and used the cart to haul the sail through town to the store

Lots of selections of bags in the store

Sunday afternoon we went back in, amongst the crowds, and got some ice cream.  Last time we were in Newport, we found a “Triple Berry Pie” ice cream at Kilwins that we both loved.  They don’t have it anymore, but they do have an “All American two berry pie”, that was similar, but not as good.  

Enjoying an ice cream

Monday we took a tour of Fort Adams.   Every time before when we have been in Newport, the fort has been closed because they host the annual Folk Music and Jazz music festivals there.  Since we were earlier than normal, the fort was still open.   It was a good and interesting tour.  More information here: Fort Adams History   The construction and the view were the best part of the tour.

Fort wall construction is interesting.  Unfired bricks so they don't become dangerous shrapnel if hit by cannon

Some very thick walls, so you walk through long tunnels to get inside

Brief tour of underground listening tunnels in case invaders were trying to dig in.  Someone with a sense of humor put a plastic rat in this listening post.

View of Newport harbor from the fort

Tuesday we did some buffing and waxing of the cockpit, and then we went out of lunch at “Wally’s Wieners”, not as good as Super Duper.   They have more than hot dogs, though.  After lunch, we walked up to the UPS store, as we had two Amazon packages that had arrived.  They found one, but think the other one got picked up by mistake by the UPS driver, and will have to be re-delivered.  Whoops.   We got some groceries and headed back to the boat for a chilly night.  It was only a high of 75 during the day, and 58 degrees overnight.

Kris buffing one of the harder to reach spots, or taking a nap, you decide

Wednesday Dean relaxed, Kris did a bit more buffing in the morning, and then went on a tour of one of the Newport Mansions.  Toured “The Elms”.   Was a great tour.  The mansions during the "Gilded Age" were built to show off the owner's wealth and status.   Think they did a pretty good job of that.  The Elms only has bedrooms to house 7 people, but staffed for parties of up to around 400.  French chef on staff for cooking, and 30 to 40 staff for the family of 7.

Back of the house

Servants stairway

Dining room.  Just the amount of work to carve the ceiling panels which is all wood is very impressive

Everyone has a work of art glued to their ceiling - don't they?

Just a small cozy backyard

Indoor fountain

Thursday we went on a 4-mile walk to get some exercise, and then back to town later to meet our financial advisor to sign some papers, and had to get some ice cream while in town of course.

Friday was shopping day, so went in early, took then newly done walking path all the way.  Makes it easy to get to the shopping area, but no shade, so is a warm walk.   Caught the bus back.  Newport has two free buses all summer, which is great.  So when the bus came we got on, and after we sat down the bus driver told us that we were on the not -free bus, so we needed to get out at the next stop.  So next stop we got off, and then he asked where we were going, and we told him the bus depot, so he told us to get back on, no charge.   He was a very nice man – we could have walked, but riding with groceries is so much nicer.

Nice walking / biking path

Waiting at the bus stop with groceries

Early Saturday, we left and set sail to Block Island.  Had a decent sail, winds lighter than forecast, but still in by lunchtime.  Found a decent anchor spot.  Will be here a couple of days - no firm plans yet.    It has been a strange summer, with the boat closed up most the time, it has not gotten over 85 or so for over a couple of weeks.   We are wearing jackets into town and blankets on the bed every night.   We are not going to be prepared for the heat when we head south at this rate.