Cliff Walk Trl, Newport, RI

Last Sunday Mike and I drove out across the Newport Bridge in Rhode Island to Easton's Beach on Aquidneck Island.  We had read about the Cliff Walk, one of the top things to do in Rhode Island.  It is 3.5 miles one way of beautiful coastline lined with huge, old mansions of various types.

We had prepared for cold wind with possible rain but it turned out to be just beautiful weather for a good walk.  The Easton's Beach is a popular one for surfers and we did see a few hardy souls out there.  More power to them;)

Crossing the Newport Bridge to Aquidneck Island

we passed another lighthouse and cruise ships in the bay

Easton's Beach

a surfer enjoys a wave with the beginning of the Cliff Walk in the background where you see the white fence.

horseshoe crab,  I hadn't seen one of those in a long time!

After all that walking, we had to go find a couple of Rhode Island wineries and a brewery of course!

Fenway Park, Red Sox, Boston, MA

On Friday, September 30th, after arriving in Bellingham, Mass. the previous day, we took the train into Boston for a Red Sox game. Seeing Fenway Park was the only thing on Mike's bucket list!  Mine is a little more extensive:)

The ride on the train was about an hour and once again a great way to get into the big city while avoiding traffic and parking constrictions/fees.  The cost to park near Fenway Park is $50 during a game!!  Our round trip tickets from Bellingham to Boston were $40.  No gas costs and no driving or parking stress.  We had to walk 1.2 miles to the park and the game started at 7:30pm but the streets were wide and well lit for our return at midnight:)

We took the train out around early afternoon so we could take our time getting to the park and get there early enough to take a tour.

A cloudy day made the temp comfortable in the high 60s.  A half block from the train station we found ourselves in a large square with a beautiful church and a market.



The library was also there and we popped our heads in to take a look as we had been told it was a must do.  Will be writing more about these places later;)

Boston post office

We passed the finish line for the Boston Marathon....





and America's first sports bar??

Mikes first view of Fenway Park in person

does this man look happy or what:)

on the tour we had a great look at the park from all angles

the wall on the left is affectionately called The Green Monster....when you bat a home run over this thing.....

later just before game time.....

removing the rain shield from the infield before the game started

yes, it was raining and rained 3/4 of the game

fortunately it was a light rain;)

David Ortiz, Big Papi, warming up before the game.  He did hit a HR during the game!

first pitch of the game!

they won this night yay.  had already won the division

The next day, Saturday, we drove into Connecticut to visit a couple of wineries and a brewery:

The two wineries we visited grew all their own grapes and had beautiful vineyards and tasting rooms and had some good wines.

Willimantic Brewing Co. in Willimantic, CT. is located in the old historic post office building.  Way cool!!

  

Jeep Trip Days 3 and 4, VT and NH

Cheese, waterfalls, covered bridges, a historic bed and breakfast and yes, some color, we did have a very nice trip in the jeep.

Day 3, Monday, our first stop in Vermont was Cabot Cheese in Cabot.  We just happened to come across it and how could we not check it out?  We joined a factory tour and tasted several of their flavored/aged cheddar cheeses and then bought some of course:)

no pics allowed on the tour but plenty of cheddar cheese to taste!

 Warren Falls.  What a delightful stop!  Lovely area!

more Warren Falls

Moss Glenn Falls also on the Mad River Byway

This National Historical Park was formed to promote restoration, preservation and conservation after Vermonts forests were nearly decimated by the early settlers

Taftsville Covered Bridge, 1836, the oldest covered bridge in Windsor County and the 2nd longest in VT

Harpoon Brewery in Windsor, VT

We stayed our last night at The Snapdragon Inn in Windsor, VT.  A place with an interesting history, this home was originally owned by Maxwell Perkins, editor to Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald among others.  Hemingway apparently spent a lot of time in this home.  Very cool! 

Snapdragon Inn

 Day 4, Tuesday, September 27th.  Back through the White Mountains in New Hampshire:

The Green Mountains in Vermont and the White Mountains in New Hampshire are stunning in their beauty.

We will be back.  I want to see that brilliant New England fall!  Just looking at these pics can you imagine what it must be like when the fall colors are at their best??

White Mountain National Forest, 1858 covered bridge, NH