Category Archives: Rhode Island

July 1, 2016

Green Animals Topiary Garden (Portsmouth, RI)

Date Visited: June 25, 2016

Location: 380 Corys Ln, Portsmouth, RI (about 15 minutes north of Newport, RI and 1 hour south of Boston, MA) (401) 683-1267

Hours: Open everyday 10-5 seasonally (May 21 – Oct. 10 this year but the dates may change each year)

Cost: $15.99 for adults, $6.99 for youth (ages 6-17). There are discounts available if you provide an AARP card (I’m not quite that old yet) and if you have AAA and possibly if you’re in the military. Take note that the Green Gardens is considered part of the Newport Mansions and their prices are based on how many houses you visit. In this case, the price was based on a one house tour because there is only one mansion on the premises (the Brayton House)

Parking: Free parking for 24 vehicles

Dog Friendly: No (service dogs may be allowed)

Highlights: shrubs and bushes cut into shapes of animals and other shapes, pretty flowers and gardens, mansion (Brayton House)

If you think the grass is always greener on the other side, you’ve never been to the Green Animals Topiary Garden in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

Located adjacent to the Brayton house, the Green Animals display is the brainchild of gardener Joseph Carreiro. Carreiro began the topiary in 1905 and the 80 pieces of topiary have been in place at the garden ever since.

The topiary may be the main attraction. But the flowers and plants are also very pretty. In fact, as much as I loved the different shapes at the topiary, I found the flowers and the garden near the side of the topiary to be just as appealing.

The website states there are 80 different shapes sculpted into the greenery (although I don’t remember seeing that many). I have included the most interesting of these 80.

The Damask Rose Garden is featured at the entrance of the topiary.

The topiary has shapes of all kinds of animals. Like this giraffe.

with her/his baby giraffe (the black dot in this and some other photo is dirt on my sensor which I didn’t notice until after I got home unfortunately)

And this duck.

This is a growly bear (it is standing on its hind quarters)

Not all of the shapes are made in the image of creatures that are presently with us. This dinosaur was one of the scarier shapes in the garden.

This colorful shape is of a yew rooster

I don’t usually get this close to lions.

This swan peaked her head out among the other green animals.

This appears to be a bird

It was a little warm for a polar bear

Reindeers aren’t just in the North Pole.

There are even human shapes cut into the greenery. This human is riding a horse.

This police officer helped direct traffic around the green garden. I am not sure if he is affiliated with the Portsmouth department.

There’s even a mythical unicorn

This baby bear just wants a hug

There are even inanimate objects cut into the greenery. For instance, you can take a seat in this chair if you get tired (I am just kidding, you’re not allowed to climb and/or touch the greenery)

One of the few birds who actually sits still long enough for me to photograph him

I looked like this elephant was going to charge!

I don’t mean to boar you with this piece from the topiary.

The handout I received did not have a description for this shape. it appears to be a train.

This mommy and baby bear were sitting outside the Brayton mansion.

There is also a pet cemetery located at the topiary. Four pets of the owners are buried there. This section is very peaceful and decorative. The cemetery has a bench for sitting and reflecting and gravestones with the names of the deceased friends. It is very tranquil.

The flowers and garden are well kept and have some very vivid colors. I thought it was cute how they had “scarepeople” instead of scarecrows. I also liked the different chairs and wind vane and other decor around the grounds.

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There is also a fish pond with goldfish in it.

I also liked the Brayton House. They do not allow flash photography in the house (although you can take photos with your cellphone). I don’t like how photos look on my cellphone so I didn’t take any photos in the house but it is a must see on the tour.

24 Comments | tags: attractions, flowers, garden, Historical, Nature, New England, photographs, Photography, photos, plants, scenic, travel, trees | posted in flowers, garden, New England, photographs, photography, photos, plants, Rhode Island, topiary, trees, Uncategorized

June 27, 2016

Cliff Walk (Newport, RI)

By New England Nomad

Dates Visited: June 25 & June 26, 2016

Location: 117 Memorial Blvd, Newport, RI (by Easton’s Beach)

Hours: open everyday dawn until dusk

Cost: Free

Parking: 3 hour metered parking is available at Easton Bank (but limited). You can also park at other entry/exit points along the trail off Bellevue Ave (such as The Breakers mansion at 44 Ochre Point Ave which is free for a limited parking time and Narrangasett Ave.)

Distance: 3.5 miles each way

Time To Allot For Walk: The website suggests 2.5 hours. I would allot 3-4 hours if you’re walking the entire trail (and back)

Dog Friendly: Yes

Highlights: scenic, free, always open, good for people of all ages, popular with joggers

The Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island, is not only a historically important attraction, it is also a great way to burn some extra calories or stroll along the shore, depending on your energy level.

Construction of the Cliff Walk began in 1880. Since then, the trail has been extended and designed over a series of redevelopment projects.

The Cliff Walk, which begins at Memorial Blvd or Bellevue Ave (depending on where you start) takes you on a series of breath taking views and, at times, challenging trails. Most people begin the trail at Memorial Blvd next to Easton’s beach (also known as First Beach). This trail ends at Bailey Beach. There is one “comfort station” on the walk at Narragansett Rd.

Rather than backtracking on the trail to get back, which you can do, it is easier to take the first right at Bailey Beach which leads onto Bellevue Ave. You can follow Bellevue Ave all the way back to Memorial Blvd or one of the many access points along the trail since it runs parallel to the cliff. It is easier because it is a straight and more direct route. I used this path to get back and it cut my walking time in half.

The views of Rhode Island Sound and First Beach from the Cliff Walk are astounding.

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The first two thirds of the 3.5 mile trek (starting from Memorial Blvd) is easy and well defined. However, the terrain gets rocky, challenging and more scenic after the first 2 and a quarter miles. The steps and paths go from being well defined and wide.

to rugged, rocky and narrow

Other than the challenging terrain, the Cliff Walk is an easy, fun trail (it’s best to stop and turn around at the Breakers mansion or Webster Street if you’re starting from Memorial Blvd to avoid the more rocky terrain).

The Cliff Walk is also a good place for birding. There were lots of birds flying here and there, calling out to each other and even a few relaxing on the rocks. They look like they’re conspiring.

Perhaps the most well known part of the trail is the 40 Steps. In addition to providing you with an up close look of the shoreline, the 40 Steps also provides a little bit of history to the trail. The 40 steps is where the servants and workers of the mansions used to congregate during the Gilded Age.

One of my favorite parts of the walk was watching the people on the various water crafts and other flotation devices.

Another great thing about the Cliff Walk are the unusual features of the trail. Tunnels, makeshift trails, colorful flowers, even a memorial attached to a rock and other decorative items are scattered throughout the Cliff Walk. The memorial on the rock is dedicated to former surfer pro Ryan Patrick Roberts, nicknamed “Gazoo”. Roberts, a Newport native, passed away February 5, 2000. One wonders how they got the plaque on there and made it stay there.

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The Cliff Walk also offers many great views of the mansions and other buildings built along the shore.

Some of the visitors at the Cliff Walk weren’t contend to stay on the trail.

There were a lot of dogs on the trail during my visits. It is a great place to take your pup for a walk. But, you may want to avoid the rockier terrain when you take your dog to the Cliff Walk.

Remy is a 10 month German Short Hair Pointer and a loyal Red Sox fan I presume.

Winston, a 4 year old Maltese from Seattle, WA, took the easy way around the Cliff Walk

Fion is an 8 year old Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. Her breed is named after the area of France where that breed originated from (Vendeen).

Believe it or not, Penny, a Great Pyrenees, is only one year old.

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23 Comments | tags: cliff walk, dogs, New England, photographs, Photography, photos, scenic, trails, views, water | posted in dogs, flowers, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Rhode Island, scenic, Uncategorized, views, water, waves

June 24, 2016

Colt State Park (Bristol, RI)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: June 19, 2016

Location: Rte 114 (off Poppasquash Rd – yes that is the real name of the road – or Hope St depending which direction you’re coming from), Bristol, RI

Cost: It was free when I visited, according to the new parking fees it is $7 for residents and $14 for non residents to park at beaches in Rhode Island (lawmakers in Rhode Island recently cut the costs in half)

Parking: There are several parking areas. But, they fill up quickly. Arrive early to ensure you get a good spot, especially during the summer weekends. There are also electric vehicle charging stations available for 4 hours max while enjoying the park or other facility.The EV station does not guarantee a space on full capacity days

Hours: open daily dawn to dusk.

Time To Allot For Visit: This can vary depending on what you’re doing there (kayaking, running, cycling, barbecuing, etc.) If you’re just going for a walk or jog an hour to two hours should be enough time. I spent three hours there but I was stopping a lot to take photos

Size of Park: 464 acres

Highlights: scenic waterscape, various wildlife, walking/running/biking trails, fields and picnic areas, beach, bridge and pretty architecture and well kept trails

Named after Samuel P. Colt who owned the property in the early 1900’s where he built his home the Casino, Colt State Park has been considered the “gem of Rhode Island.” With its pretty views, teeming wildlife and peaceful setting it lives up to its name.

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The park is surrounded by water for people to launch their boats, kayaks and other types or watercraft.

One of the best things about Colt State Park is the abundant wildlife. There are birds aplenty.

Egrets

Red Winged Blackbird

American Black Crow

Mallard Duck

Robin

??????

There are many other animals at the park like this chipmunk

I even saw lions at the park

Off the beaten path, I found these top bar bee hives. And they get nasty when you get too close and I had a bee sting to prove it! I suppose I wouldn’t like it if someone came into my home and started taking photos either.

And, of course, there were dogs at the park.

Butch, a Lab mix, is a shelter dog from South Carolina. His mommy wasn’t sure of his age (either 3 or 4 years old probably).

Max is a 6 year old English Lab. He is also an AKC (American Kennel Club) dog.

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15 Comments | tags: attractions, birds, Bristol, Colt State Park, dogs, Nature, New England, Park, photographs, Photography, photos, Rhode Island, scenic, water | posted in animals, birds, boat, bridge, dogs, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Rhode Island, scenic, Uncategorized

May 9, 2016

Wilcox Park (Westerly, RI)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: April 30, 2016

Location: 44 Broad St, Westerly, RI

Cost: Free

Hours: Open from dawn to 9 p.m., 365 days a year

Parking: There is not a designated parking lot for Wilcox Park. But, you should be able to find off street parking.

Wilcox Park is not your average park. In fact, it is unique in many different ways. One thing that makes Wilcox Park unique is that it is not part of the DCR or any other city or governmental body. Wilcox Park is privately operated by the Westerly Public Library’s Board of Trustees. The library, located on the grounds of the park, and a group of volunteers help keep the grounds clean and orderly. They rely on donations and fundraisers.

Westerly Library is attached to the park at the entrance. The library’s beautiful architecture of the building is both artful yet modest. It complements the beauty of the park and seems right in place. There are also benches for visitors to unwind and perhaps read a book from the library’s collection.

There are also a number of statues in the grounds of the library.

As you entered the park, one of the first statues you will see is the statue of Christopher Columbus sculpted by Ciriaco (or “Charles” as he was commonly known as) Pizzano in 1949. Originally from Avellino, Italy, Pizzano was living in Medford, Massachusetts, when he decided to sculpt this statue, appropriately, out of Westerly granite.

The inscription reads:

CRISTOFORO COLOMBO
INTREPID ITALIAN EXPLORER
WHO LINKED THE OLD WORLD OF
OUR FATHERS TO THE NEW WORLD
OF OUR SONS

On the back of the pedestal:

DEDICATED
BY
THE CITIZENS
OF
WESTERLY AND PAWCATUCK
A.D. 1949

Somewhere Leif Erikson is rolling around in his grave.

Down the staircase from the entrance to the park is a fountain (which was not running when I went to visit due to the still cold temperatures). The Wilcox Memorial Fountain was designed by John Francis Paramino in 1898 and was dedicated in honor of Harriet and Stephen Wilcox who had donated the land for the park.

There are a variety of beautiful trees, plants, bridges and statues at Wilcox Park.

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There is also a pond along the trails at Wilcox Park. It is populated with Koi fish

ducks

There’s room for two on this thing, right?

and baby turtles. I couldn’t find his mommy but I am sure she was nearby.

and rabbits

The bronze Runaway Bunny statue was dedicated in 1998 by Connecticut sculptor Joan Binney Ross. it is based on the book of the same name by Margaret Wise Brown. Unfortunately, the bunny has been the target of vandalism, predictably. But, it has been restored after each attack. Cameras are now installed liberally around the park to deter vandalism or catch the vandals.

This fella just wanted to play with the ducks

This sculpture sort of looked like a face to me. A very ugly face.

Dogs are allowed at Wilcox Park. Bandit, a Siberian Husky, had fun playing in the park. Apparently, Bandit earned his nickname because he “takes things”. What a beautiful dog. He caught my eye because of his handsome markings and his very cute smile. You can tell he’s a “bandit” based on his playful grin.

8 Comments | tags: attractions, birds, dog, ducks, flowers, monuments, New England, Park, photographs, Photography, photos, scenic, statues, trees, views, water | posted in dog, ducks, flowers, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Rhode Island, statues, trees, Uncategorized

May 6, 2016

Watch Hill Lighthouse (Westerly, RI)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: April 30, 2016

Location: Lighthouse Rd, Westerly, RI

Cost: Free

Parking: Vehicles are not allowed on Lighthouse Rd, unless you area senior citizen or if you have a physical impairment which may prevent you from walking or biking or running down.

The jewel of Westerly, Rhode island, Watch Hill Lighthouse is a stone’s throw away from Napatree Conservation Point. The walk down Lighthouse Rd is about half a mile and the views are worth the walk. Watch Hill is a swanky village in the town of Westerly that offers views of the southern most coast of the state (besides Block Island).

To get a sense of just how beautiful the area is, this is the view from someone’s driveway. Not a bad view to wake up to every morning.

There are more stunning views as you walk down the road.

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There is also a “cliff walk” along the road which is basically a walkway along the sidewalk which allows you to walk on a “cliff” type access way next to the road. Besides being a fun way to travel, the cliff walk also offers some beautiful views.

Since it is somewhat isolated and not too active this time of the year, birds tend to congregate at Watch Hill. I found a few Double Crested Cormorants.

Watch Hill Lighthouse is the second oldest lighthouse in Rhode Island (Beavertail Light is the oldest lighthouse in RI). Originally built in 1808, Watch Hill Lighthouse has been destroyed or damaged by various storms over the years. The current lighthouse that stands there was built in 1856. It was automated in 1986 and it is still active today.

The best part of my trip to Watch Hill was watching the waves from the rocks. It is considered one of the more beautiful and romantic of Rhode Island (sans Newport). In fact, just before I arrived there I had missed a man proposing to a woman at the location. When I got there they were drinking champagne and cuddling as they watched the waves.

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Cute little Louis (pronounced Louie) is a 3 year old toy poodle. I love how the wind blew his fur and ears back but he still wanted to see the lighthouse!

Below are two videos of the waves at Watch Hill to give a better sense of the power of the waves there (and this was just on a regular day)

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10 Comments | tags: birds, boat, dog, lighthouse, New England, photographs, Photography, photos, Rhode Island, scenic, Watch Hill, water | posted in birds, dog, lighthouse, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Rhode Island, Uncategorized, water, waves

May 4, 2016

Napatree Point Conservation Area (Westerly, RI)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: April 30, 2016

Location: Fort Rd, Westerly, RI

Parking: Parking was a breeze in the early morning hours in April. I found off street parking with a 3 hour limit. There were several parking spaces available. This will change when the weather begins to warm up (at this rate, sometime in mid-August). One thing I found interesting and somewhat vexing is that according to signs, the parking lot next to Napatree is not supposed to be used for going to the beach. I assume the parking is meant for shoppers and people patronizing the restaurants in the area. For an area that has limited parking this seems highly unusual. If you go in the summer, be aware parking will be very limited.

First, I’d like to thank everyone for reading and being so supportive as I post my 100th blog post. One hundred posts in just under one year. What better place to write about than Napatree!

A peninsula-like shaped area, Napatree is actually a sandy spit. It has been shaped through a process called longshore drift which is basically a process by which sediments such as clay, silt, sand and shingle are transported along the coast creating its unique shape.

You wouldn’t know it by looking at it now but Napatree used to be densely wooded. Trees lined the area until the Great September Gale of 1815 hit the area and the trees were destroyed. In fact, the name Napatree comes from the term nap or nape of trees.

The views from the entrance of Napatree are beautiful. In some of the photos, you can see a brown tint to the otherwise deep blue water. In fact, the colors seemed to change depending on where and when I took the photos. The tides, shallowness of the water and other factors can affect the way the water looks. I had never noticed it as distinctly as I did at Napatree. The waves and movement of the water may have played a part as well. Despite how calm the water seems in these photos this was not the case everywhere at Napatree.

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If you look close, you can see the Amtrak train in the distance that services the Westerly area in one of the photos.

The dunes and the sand were also very pretty.

At first glance, Napatree seems like a long stretch of beach on only one side. But, I kept hearing noises over the dune. At first, I brushed it off as traffic or some other noise. Eventually, curiosity got the better of me and I decided to climb one of the dunes and check it out. What I found was pure paradise.

The calm waves and plain waterscape were replaced with crashing waves, foamy water, beautiful homes (the homes on both sides weren’t pretty shabby actually), the Watch Hill Lighthouse and marine activity.

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When I arrived, the village was pretty desolate. This was partly due to the early time of the morning that I arrived and partly because the vacation season hasn’t began yet. Westerly did have a Cape Cod feel to it. From the quaint shops, the folksy, slowed down pace, the beautiful beaches and the mansions that dot the landscape (blog to follow soon about one of those lighthouses), I couldn’t help but think back to my childhood vacations at the Cape.

In due time, these empty streets will be bustling with activity. But, for now, it is a tourist/photographer’s dream having the area to one self!

There were several dogs at Napatree during my visit. Dogs are allowed on the beach but only until May 2nd. So, you’ll have to wait until next year to take Fido!

Daisy is a beautiful Golden Retriever. What a gorgeous smile.

Caesar is an aquatic pitbull

Below are videos of the different sides of Napatree. The first video is of the more calm waters that I saw when I first arrived. The second video is from the other side over the dunes to the more active side of Napatree.

9 Comments | tags: boats, dogs, ducks, dunes, Napatree, New England, photographs, Photography, photos, Rhode Island, scenic, seashells, water, waves, Westerly | posted in beach, boats, dog, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Rhode Island, Uncategorized

May 1, 2016

Annual Pawcatuck River Duck Race (Westerly, RI)

By New England Nomad

Date Of Event: April 30, 2016

Location: 37 Main St, Westerly, Rhode Island

Parking: Parking was very limited, especially with the huge turnout. I got there early so I was fortunate enough to snag a 3 hour parking spot near the event in the shopping area of the town.

Cost: Free

Annual Pawcatuck River Duck Race

Every year for the past 18 years, the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce partners with several businesses and community members to raise money by dumping 20,000 ducks into the Pawcatuck River (don’t worry, they’re rubber ducks) and watching them race down the river. The event helps raise money for over 40 local schools and other non profit groups in the area.

Visitors to the duck race can buy “sponsor tickets” with a unique number of a duck for $5 a chance. Duck shaped whistles can also purchased, much to the delight of many spectators and parents. Vendors and a local radio station also sell items and entertain the visitors.

All 20,000 rubber ducks are dumped into the river from a bulldozer which has been filled with the toys prior to the race.

That’s a lot of ducks!

A short walk from the bridge, in Donahue Park, there are also fun stuff for kids (and even adults who feel young at heart) such as a bouncy house, face painting, balloon shaping and other activities. There also was a classic car, a ’47 Mac, owned by the parent of Bustah (one of the dogs below). Cool car.

There were ducks in the water and on land.

Before the race began, a duck, a real duck this time, decided to stop by and see what was going on.

Then, a family of ducks and ducklings swam by. I feel badly for the little one lagging behind in the last photo. I feel like that everyday.

This is the Pawcatuck River before the race.

This is the river with 20,000 ducks in it.

Even dogs came out to watch the race.

Bustah is an American Bulldog. Beautiful markings. I like how he is intently staring at his dad who is standing behind me to get his attention.

Reggie is a black Lab who is super friendly (but aren’t they all?)

Below is a video of the dunk dumping. As you can tell by the audio, the crowd was getting antsy and they really got into the whole countdown.

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21 Comments | tags: cars, dogs, ducks, New England, photographs, Photography, photos, Rhode Island, river | posted in dogs, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Rhode Island, river, Uncategorized

December 16, 2015

The Elms (Newport, RI)

By New England Nomad

Holidays and mansions. Sounds like a pretty good combination to me. That is what the folks at the Newport mansions are offering all their patrons. As part of the holiday season, the Newport mansions have been decorated for the season. The $29 tour includes 3 of the mansions (The Elms, The Breakers and The Marbles). But, I was only able to see The Elms Mansion.

The mansions aren’t the only ornate buildings in the area. Some of the homes in the area are very pretty as well. Before you arrive at the mansions, you can peak at the pretty houses in the neighborhood.

When you enter the mansions, you are given an audio player with headphones to use as part of the self guided audio tour. Indoor photography is limited to certain rooms (usually they don’t allow photography at all in the mansions but they relaxed their policy slightly for the holiday tours). I might have sneaked in a few more photos from the rooms that weren’t authorized for picture taking. It’s actually kind of a good thing that they limit photography because you could easily be inundated with things to photograph. One room seemed more beautiful or interesting then the previous room.

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Photo taking is allowed on the exteriors of the mansions and the grounds of the buildings.

The mansions are available for tours throughout the year. So, if you can’t make it there during the holiday try going another time when it is less busy. If you go to the holiday mansion tour, it is only during daylight hours. Parking can be difficult, especially if you arrive later in the day. But, you should be able to find parking somewhere in the area if you can’t find a spot in the parking lots at the mansions.

4 Comments | tags: Christmas, Historical, history, mansions, New England, Newport, photographs, Photography, photos, Rhode Island | posted in architecture, buildings, Christmas, fun, historical, history, mansions, New England, Newport, photographs, photography, photos, Rhode Island, road trip, scenic, site seeing, Uncategorized

December 13, 2015

Easton’s Beach (Newport, RI)

By New England Nomad

When most people think of Newport, Rhode Island, they undoubtedly think of the ornate historic mansions. But, there is another gem in Newport – Easton’s Beach.

I was greeted by these Canadian Geese upon my arrival.

A short drive from the mansions, Easton’s Beach is less than a mile long. But, what it may lack in size it makes up in charm and beauty.

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The gulls, who were in abundance at the beach, are not shy.

Easton’s Beach is also a popular destination for sea loving dogs. I met Jack during my visit.

Parking was ample during my visit. But I suspect it fills up quickly during the warmer seasons. You do not need to feed the meters in the off season. After May 1st and until Oct. 31st parking fees are in effect (parking at an on-street metered space is limited to a maximum of three hours and the rate is $1.25 per hour and the meters located on Memorial Blvd. near Easton’s Beach are $2 per hour). It’s definitely worth the 2 clams if you’re in the area.

13 Comments | tags: beach, beautiful, dogs, family friendly, fun, geese, gulls, New England, Newport, Photography, photos, Rhode Island, scenic, water | posted in beach, beautiful, dog, geese, gulls, New England, Newport, photographs, photography, photos, Rhode Island, Uncategorized, water, waves

New England Nomad

Category Archives: Rhode Island

Green Animals Topiary Garden (Portsmouth, RI)

Cliff Walk (Newport, RI)

Colt State Park (Bristol, RI)

Wilcox Park (Westerly, RI)

Watch Hill Lighthouse (Westerly, RI)

Napatree Point Conservation Area (Westerly, RI)

Annual Pawcatuck River Duck Race (Westerly, RI)

The Elms (Newport, RI)

Easton’s Beach (Newport, RI)

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