3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

Travel Adventures

Day 236/365: It’s All About the LifeGuards

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It was about lifeguards in high school
It was about lifeguards in high school

Ok, who is going to admit it first? I guess I’ll step up to the plate. As my friend said “It was all about the boys and the beach back then wasn’t it?” Yup, no doubt about that. Twenty something years later we plopped our towels down in the same spot on Block Island. In front of the life guard stand. Heck why not.

In high school our summer destination trip, which included girls and boys, consisted of riding the ferry over from Point Judith Rhode Island to Block Island. We got off the ferry in Old Harbor, walked five minutes to Crescent Beach and spent the rest of the day there. Didn’t leave. Why would we? We had everything we needed. Boys, beach, sand, and ocean.

Beach Babes 25 years later...
Beach Babes 25 years later...

This time our trip budget was a little more than the $20 we stuck in our pocket. Some things have changed, but some things stay the same.

Day 235/365: Crescent Beach on Block Island

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My Favorite Place on Earth

If someone asked me where my favorite place on earth would be I would say Block Island. This tiny strip of earth is located 12 miles off shore of Rhode Island and is only accessible by ferry from Point Judith or Old Saybrook. I believe there is another ferry launch area, but we always left from Rhode Island, even though I lived in East Hartford. I started going to Block Island when I was in high school and during the 1980’s we walked off the boat and parked our beach blankets on the sands of Crescent Beach.

Crescent Beach, Block Island RI
Crescent Beach, Block Island RI

Crescent Beach is the most popular beach on Block Island, it’s within easy walking distance from the Ferry Docks, has a full service beach house complete with showers, bathrooms, and a wonderful concessions to eat lunch. Block Island is an oasis in New England. The soft white sands are a contrast to the rocky pebbly beaches of Connecticut and the water is sparkling blue.

Personalized Block Island Beach Towel

Much of this is due to being twelve miles off shore and away from the sheltered waterways of Long Island Sound which tend to “trap” pollution, debris and make the beaches a little foamy and dirtier. Block Island reminds me of the Caribbean, a little slice of heaven.

Relaxing at the beach
Relaxing at the beach

Information About Block Island

A Long Paddle and a Celebration of Clean Water

The longest paddle of the season, the 10th annual Block challenge, is scheduled for August 29, when paddlers will take off from Montauk Point and paddle 18 miles through Block Island Sound to Block Island. Nearly 70 paddlers competed in Saturday’s …

Bluffs of Block Island, Superstorm Sandy Research | Rhode …

Bluffs of Block Island, Superstorm Sandy Research. Willimantic, Conn. – When Superstorm Sandy made landfall in the Northeast on Oct. 29, 2012, it left in its wake extensive erosion along the coast of Block Island, RI.

Block Island Vacation Rental House – Vacation Rentals

Block Island Vacation Rental House. Rhode Island vacation rentals. Lynn’ s Way is a large Block Island Vacation House: Great for family vacations, weddings, reunions, events and parties. Spacious and comfortable, Gourmet kitchen, large …

The Roundtable.: A Block Island Photo Album

Apropos of nothing, we offer a tidy little Block Island photo album, images taken just 24 hours apart showing the quick-change nature of our New England climate. Photos by Lars Trodson. It was quiet on the island on the night …

Dog Friendly Block Island, RI – Block Island Family Vacation

Joining the lucky dogs of dog friendly Block Island? Bringing your best friend on vacation is what makes it a vacation. Block Island is a haven for dogs. A vast majority of islanders have dogs. If you happen to see a dog without an owner …

Block Island House Rental: Block Island Waterfront

Block Island Waterfront. Rhode Island vacation rentals. Charming four bedroom home overlooking Cormorant Cove on picturesque Block Island. Very private location, surrounded by conservation land. Excellent condition including all up- to- …

Summer Internship Position Available | The Block Island …

Would you love to work outdoors on Block Island this summer? Spend your time on, in and around the water and its marine life? If so, you definitely need to be our intern. Please read the job responsibilities and requirements …

Day 233/365: A Sunset Worthy of Applause

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Sunset on the Porch of the Narragansett Inn
Sunset on the Porch of the Narragansett Inn

Another sunset deserving of applause. I just about starting clapping to honor the tradition in Key West. The sunset was a perfect back drop to our dinner at the Narragansett Inn. Our trip was nearing a close and just one more day lay ahead for shopping and exploring.  I couldn’t of asked for a better ending to a day.

There is just something about a sunset over the water with the smell of ocean air wafting in the breeze. To someone born and raised in Connecticut now living in land locked Nebraska this is shear bliss.

Sunset over New Harbo, Block Island, RI
Sunset over New Harbor, Block Island, RI

Day 232/365: Dining on Block Island

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What trip to anywhere would be complete without of photo tour of the local cuisine. Dining on Block Island is a foodie delight.  If you’re wondering what to eat on Block Island you won’t starve that’s for sure. There are Block Island restaurants which range from five star restaurants to beach side concessions. My philosophy when I travel is “When in Rome, do as the Romans.” So I try to eat specialties of the area and local food. In New England, and on Block Island that means fish, clams, lobsters rolls, and later home made ice cream.

The Lobster roll from the Rebecca’s On The Beach was a pleasant surprise. Normally beach concession stands serve the traditional hot dogs, hamburgers and the like. didn’t know what to expect, but this cold mixed lobster salad (think tuna salad with lobster instead) really hit the spot.  The next day we visited the main beach and I had a grilled tuna steak sandwich. Can’t get that in Nebraska.

Lobster Roll
Lobster Roll from the beach concession

One of the delights of the day was breakfast, which is included at your stay at the Narragansett Inn. Many places list a breakfast buffet but it’s short of the gourmet and heavy on the carbs (bagels and the like), not here. Fresh pancakes, or french toast, and the absolute best scrambled eggs I’ve ever had. Sorry Mom. I’m also a sucker for grinder salt and whole peppercorns, look, look, it’s standard on the table! I’m in heaven.

Block Island, Rhode Island – Ferry Ride Vintage Sign (12×18 Art Print Wall Decor, Wall Decor Poster)Block Island Long Sleeve Dark T-Shirt, perfect for cool nights on the beach

My friend I traveled with is gluten intolerant and even she could find gluten free options and alternatives at many of the restaurants.

Breakfast at the Narragansett Inn
Breakfast at the Narragansett Inn

Dinner at the Narragansett Inn was wonderful. I stayed true to my theme of regional food and ordered the Pistachio Crusted Cod. Would have never thought of using pistachios on fish, but paired with the tomato/mango salsa it was a blend of flavors and textures which worked very well together.

Bar Harbor Clam Chowder, New England, 15 Ounce (Pack of 6)Pure New England Bog Cranberry HoneyDowneast Lobster Rolls

Dining on Block Island with Pistacio Crusted Cod
Pistachio Crusted Cod

Authentic clam chowder from MacPhails in the Old Harbor was an item to check off the list and the rainy overcast Monday made it a perfect choice.

New England Clam Chowder
New England Clam Chowder

I’m one of those people who love calamari, even the little ones with eight legs that remind me of the little sea creature they are. In my opinion it’s a reminder that my sea food didn’t come out of a box chopped up and in “cookie cutter” sizes. These beauties were found at Payne’s Dock restaurant within “stumbling” distance of the Narragansett Inn. That is if you need to stumble back after a few margaritas.

Flavormate X3 (New England Fish and Seafood Seasoning)Downeast Lobster RollsBar Harbor Red Clam Sauce, 10.5 Ounce (Pack of 6)

Fried Calamari, yum, yum!
Fried Calamari, yum, yum!

Hope I made you hungry, I know I’m hungry again and want to go back.  I also enjoyed clam fritters for lunch, tuna steak sandwich at the beach, and shrimp salads. Overall I think my culinary menu of regional foods was well rounded.

So my question to you is, do you like to be adventurous when you travel and eat local foods? If you have visited Block Island where is your favorite place to eat?