The Sou'Wester That Wasn't
Oct. 1st, 2010 09:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dolphins_logToday we reduced plans significantly to make room for the remnant of Tropical Storm Nichole. We were under a High Wind Advisory and and Ariel Flood Advisory until 5 PM this evening. So, no boat tour of the harbor and no car tour up through Providence. That just didn't seem wise.
Our first stop was Jamestown, West of Newport.
We found a boat yard across the bay from Dutch Island Light. Lots of wind and waves, and the seagulls were smartly keeping to ground [or water]. But the sun was still out and the air was still warm and humid.
We accidentally stumbled across a view of Plum Beach lighthouse under the Pell Newport Suspention Bridge. It's what they call a "spark plug" design because of their shape. This was one we thought we would miss as there wasn't suppose to be a good location to view it. But hey, we have digital cameras with 10 and 12 times digital zoom. We can get anything.
Next we went to the south end of Jamestown and found Beaver Tail Light. Beaver Tail was the third Lighthouse built in America. This one was Very Cool! The waves from the approching weather were rather dramatic, crashing against the granitt that is the beadrock all around this area. Have I mentioned that the sand here is red? We spent a good long time here.
And, surprise! We accidently stumbled across the ruins of Whale Rock Light. There was a tumbled structure off in the distance and the waves were putting on a great show around it. We managed to get some pictures. We had to identify it after we got back to the hotel though.
Next we headed North to Bristol. It took a while to find the Bristol Ferry Light. Again, this area has an amazing lack of signage, even for highways. But our navigation skills are getting better. I call it "Navigation By Magic". Bristol Ferry Light isn't so impressive and it's rather off limits. But we have pictures. And the Mt Hope Bridge that the light is under is fun to look at.
At this point it was time for a snack. We drove further into Bristol, home of the very first Fourth of July Celebration. The road stripes turn from yellow to Red White and Blue. Bristol is one of those little villages that look very New England. We stopped in a bagel shop just in time for the rain and wind to hit in force. We had good bagels, cream cheese and coffee and watched as the water started to pool up on the street.
On the way back to the car Juli found a toy shop that carried her favorite line of toys. She likes the Knights of Playmobile.
On the way back from Bristol, Surprise! We fund another Lighthouse. We stepped out and took pictures of Hog Island Shoal Light, another Spark Plug. There was one other stop at an overgrown boat launch that gave us a view of Prudence Island Light. Though this one tested the limits of our cameras. Odd, but this was one we had planned to see.
Lastly we found Newport Harbor Light on Goat Island. This light shares the Island with the Hyatt Regency Resort so it was easy access. But we had to park far from it and walk around the Resort Grounds. This was where we got significantly wet. But I wanted this picture, only because it's on my calendar at work.
--and again, Surprise! we found another lighthouse that we though we were going to miss. The Rose Island Light was clearly visible off the stern of a very large cruise ship, and easily photographed, ...though the wind and rain.
--and yet again, Surprise! we found the remains of Gull Rocks Light, also under the Pell Newport Bridge. Gull Rocks has a Remax sign on it even though it's just a spot of rock under a bridge.
We tried to find another for the end of the day, but the navigation magic finally wore off. We know were it is now, so we will check it out before we leave Newport tomorrow for Massachusetts.
Our first stop was Jamestown, West of Newport.
We found a boat yard across the bay from Dutch Island Light. Lots of wind and waves, and the seagulls were smartly keeping to ground [or water]. But the sun was still out and the air was still warm and humid.
We accidentally stumbled across a view of Plum Beach lighthouse under the Pell Newport Suspention Bridge. It's what they call a "spark plug" design because of their shape. This was one we thought we would miss as there wasn't suppose to be a good location to view it. But hey, we have digital cameras with 10 and 12 times digital zoom. We can get anything.
Next we went to the south end of Jamestown and found Beaver Tail Light. Beaver Tail was the third Lighthouse built in America. This one was Very Cool! The waves from the approching weather were rather dramatic, crashing against the granitt that is the beadrock all around this area. Have I mentioned that the sand here is red? We spent a good long time here.
And, surprise! We accidently stumbled across the ruins of Whale Rock Light. There was a tumbled structure off in the distance and the waves were putting on a great show around it. We managed to get some pictures. We had to identify it after we got back to the hotel though.
Next we headed North to Bristol. It took a while to find the Bristol Ferry Light. Again, this area has an amazing lack of signage, even for highways. But our navigation skills are getting better. I call it "Navigation By Magic". Bristol Ferry Light isn't so impressive and it's rather off limits. But we have pictures. And the Mt Hope Bridge that the light is under is fun to look at.
At this point it was time for a snack. We drove further into Bristol, home of the very first Fourth of July Celebration. The road stripes turn from yellow to Red White and Blue. Bristol is one of those little villages that look very New England. We stopped in a bagel shop just in time for the rain and wind to hit in force. We had good bagels, cream cheese and coffee and watched as the water started to pool up on the street.
On the way back to the car Juli found a toy shop that carried her favorite line of toys. She likes the Knights of Playmobile.
On the way back from Bristol, Surprise! We fund another Lighthouse. We stepped out and took pictures of Hog Island Shoal Light, another Spark Plug. There was one other stop at an overgrown boat launch that gave us a view of Prudence Island Light. Though this one tested the limits of our cameras. Odd, but this was one we had planned to see.
Lastly we found Newport Harbor Light on Goat Island. This light shares the Island with the Hyatt Regency Resort so it was easy access. But we had to park far from it and walk around the Resort Grounds. This was where we got significantly wet. But I wanted this picture, only because it's on my calendar at work.
--and again, Surprise! we found another lighthouse that we though we were going to miss. The Rose Island Light was clearly visible off the stern of a very large cruise ship, and easily photographed, ...though the wind and rain.
--and yet again, Surprise! we found the remains of Gull Rocks Light, also under the Pell Newport Bridge. Gull Rocks has a Remax sign on it even though it's just a spot of rock under a bridge.
We tried to find another for the end of the day, but the navigation magic finally wore off. We know were it is now, so we will check it out before we leave Newport tomorrow for Massachusetts.
