The South Rises! RI

What a special trip! We took a lovely trip to Rhode Island with my grandparents, parents, sister, and aunt. We flew out Friday after work and arrived into Providence around midnight.

We stayed in a older, but nice lake house right outside of East Matunuk beach.

Saturday morning we woke up and had breakfast at the house. Then, we all loaded up and Grandpa took us to all of the places he grew up. They moved around a lot and I'm pretty sure we saw the whole state.

It was so nice to hear him reminisce about the places he lived, worked, went to school, etc. We made stops throughout the day to get out and walk around. And we had lunch at the FAMOUS Olneyville N.Y. System. We enjoyed the scrumptious hot wieners (read: wee-nahs), french fries with vinegar (read: vine-ee-gah), and coffee milk (read: coif-ee melk). It really was yummy, but even better for the soul. They even (by our special request) unsanitarily stacked the wieners up their arms like the used to in the old days...

 It's fun to think that my grandpa was sitting at that exact same counter eating the same things in the 50's! The people there took great care of us and embraced our touristy nostalgia. 

Like any good tourists, we also made a stop at the LaSalle Bakery. I'm not a huge sweets person, but maybe because they don't have sweets like this in the South. The chocolate eclair was to die for!!!

We also stopped and picked up some local wines and a bottle of Rhode Island Hard Cider for my sis's upcoming 21st bday and then headed back to the beach house. We rested for a few minutes and then headed out to pick up my great aunt and my dad's cousins. Then, we headed through Massachusetts to Bristol, RI. Here, you find one of my Grandpa's favorite restaurants. We went on our last trip to RI (10 years ago). They're famous for their baked stuffed lobster. The group also chowed down on stuffed quahogs (eh) and steamers (gag me!) But they really seemed to enjoy them. My sister and I enjoyed the bread basket and they had a fabulous house Italian salad dressing! Going back would not be my top choice, but I'd go anywhere to see my grandpa happy!

Sunday morning we went to a really nice grocery store... I wish I could remember what it was called... it was very "Fresh Market--y". Us girls enjoyed just wandering around and looking at all of the different products. My mom got the most beautiful dahlia. 

After that we went and walked on the Atlantic and drove down to Point Judith. We were in a hurry and didn't get to stop at the light house... next time. The Atlantic is pretty, but we all know I'm a beach snob. I'll take our white sand and pretty seashells over gray muck and rocks any day :) 

Next on the agenda was the cookout. Beautiful weather and lots of family and friends. I think it was a perfect day! I got to meet some new family and that is always special. It was such a casual day. We talked, grilled, watched football, and just enjoyed each other's company. I love to get all gussied-up and go out, but sometimes the laid back days are the best ones. 

There were some beautiful swans at the lake. Andrew and I took some of our younger cousins down and fed them some left over hamburger and hot dogs. Who doesn't love acting like a kid and feeding the birds (unless they're seagulls, pigeons, or any other bird that's likely to poop on your head)? 

AND THERE WAS A BUNNY! I get excited about the little things in life, I know!

Monday morning we went out to Newport to visit some of the Newport Mansions. First, we made a stop at the visitors center and then drove down to see the mansions. Our first stop was accidental. We thought we were going to The Breakers. When we all unloaded out of the van, I thought it looked smaller and less extravagant than the last time we went. But, that was ten years ago, so I thought maybe I was wrong. I wasn't. It was Salve Regina University. However, it ended up being one of those beautiful mistakes because we could wander around and take photos. The building was exquisite!

 Could you imagine having a fire in here??? I would have loved to live back in the days when these houses were happening! I could have definitely schmoozed with the Vanderbilts! Wait! I would like to bring modern plumbing, heating/AC, and my smart phone with me though, OK?

Anyways, we then actually made it to The Breakers. Andrew and I took the cliff walk. It is very nicely done and a great way to see the houses and a charming view of the ocean if you don't mind walking a little.   Have you ever been to the Biltmore in Ashville, NC? If not, you should go...it's FABULOUS! I want to go back at Christmas someday. I digress. The Breakers is the people who owned the Biltmore (the Vanderbilt's) summer home. It is overly-extravagant to a ridiculous point. It is much like going to a museum. When you get there, they give you a player and headphones for a self guided tour. (Note: I asked and they do not sanitize the headphones between visitors, but you can opt for no headphones and just hold the player close to your ear!)

After The Breakers, we went to the Newport Creamery. It was recommended by a friend. I think it must be more of a nostalgia place. Their big thing is the Awful, Awful.  

The food wasn't "awful, awful (hah! i crack myself up)." Just typical diner food. I probably wouldn't go back again...
After lunch we went to The Marble House. It is another part of the mansions of Newport. I really liked it as well.

It's a ginormous, magnificent house with so much marble. My favorite was the red marble. The woman who owned it, Alva Vanderbilt was very big in the women's suffrage movement and she was from Mobile, AL. Her divorce was one of the first among New York society. It sounded like she was a pistol! Out back is this cool little pagoda they use as a tea house. So, you have this huge house with all of this imported marble that took years and tons of $$ to build... they lived there for 3 summers!!!! Then, Alva decided to move down the street but keep the house for a closet and to do her laundry. Ahem! Excuse me to HAVE her laundry done for her. Big money, big problems, right? I keep telling myself that...

Monday night we went to one of my dad's cousins house for dinner with the whole family. I think there were about 20 of us. They're Italian so we ATE (and then ate and ate and ate) and drank and talked (and yelled) and talked and laughed all night. It was so fun to see my Grandpa with his only sister. Family is a beautiful thing whether it's people you see every day or every 10 years!

It was truly a beautiful trip and happy memories that will last a lifetime.

Ideas for the next trip:
-Plan a long enough trip for side trips to Boston and maybe NYC.
-Newport Mansions Wine and Food Festival (September)
-Take the ferry from North Kingston to Martha's Vineyard