Fishermens Memorial State Park - 10/10 to 10/14/2022

 10/10 to 10/14 - Welcome back. The troops have landed.

My new site 178 was perfectly level for me with just water and 30-amp service.
Behind me is Bunker 109.

The park is divided into two parcels, formerly the west and south reservations of Fort Greene. We are located in the former west reservation in the campground, and includes Battery 109, a massive concrete and earth emplacement intended for two 16-inch guns that were never armed.

To the right is the former fire control tower resembling a barn silo. It too is part of the former Fort Greene west reservation.

Wasting no time, some of the gang drove the two miles Monday to visit Galilee, RI, which is home to the largest fishing fleet in Rhode Island and for being the site of the Block Island Ferry. In 1902, the story goes, "Thomas Mann a fisherman from Nova Scotia who had settled here, felt the village that had sprung up with its fishing shacks should be called Galilee, after the fishing village of biblical times. Galilee was the original home region of Jesus Christ, who grew up in Nazareth, a village in the Galilee region of Israel on the Sea of Galilee. Four of Jesus' disciples, Andrew, Peter, James and John, were fishermen from Galilee.  One day, an old timer sat on the docks repairing his nets when a stranger called out to him, "Where am I". The answer was "Galilee". "And what is that?" the stranger asked pointing to the other side of the channel. The old timer thought for a minute, nodded his head and replied, "must be Jerusalem". And so the name of Galilee and Jerusalem have been used since."  Today, the port of Galilee is responsible for transporting over 16 million pounds of seafood and shellfish each year. Roberta shared these photos with me.

Tony, Doreen, Melanie, Dan

Tuesday, we drove 20 miles north over the Jamestown Verrazzano and the Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge to spend the afternoon in Newport, RI. A note to my readers: The many links cited in this blog have been most gratifying for me to fully get the flavor of what I've experienced. I highly recommend you take the time (especially the restaurants) to check them out. I was very impressed how far restaurant websites have come. They're outstanding.

Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge

Caught a glimpse of the
Plum Beach Lighthouse.

On line photo much better.

Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge

Larry, Charlie, Roberta, Dan, Melanie, Doreen, Vicki, George
(Thank you, Tony)

Tenders from the Caribbean Princess taxing passengers back and forth.

Stopped at Diego's Newport  for a bite to eat.

Tony, Larry Doreen, Roberta, Charlie

#11 Rangoon:
Buttered squash, shishito pepper & spicy shrimp Rangoons served
crispy with their cilantro Thai chili sauce.

After lunch, a driving tour of the beautiful area around Newport. As a passenger, it was difficult to get the full flavor of the sites. What follows is part of a blog I posted FROM 2019. depicting my visit to Newport with granddaughter, Sara, then a student at URI.

Click this link for the history of The White Horse Tavern...

...built in 1652 and restored in 1952, it's recognized as the oldest tavern in the US.

The Seaman's Church Institute.
Founded in 1919, the institute's mission is to provide men and
women of the sea and persons refereed from the community
a safe haven in which they may find comfort, recreation and benefit.

 

The front gates to the Breakers

The Breakers from the rear facing the ocean. Vanderbuilt's
summer cottage completed in 1892 after fire destroyed the mansion.

As of 2017, 450,000 visitors a year tour the property.

The ocean side view from the Cliff Walk. For the fascinating
history of the The Breakers, visit the website.

 

Across the road is the private residence, the Anglesea Mansion.

Built in 1880, view the breathtaking video clip HERE

The gazebo is just above the Cliff Walk

It is a 3.5-mile public access walkway that borders the shore line

My beautiful and wonderful guide and chauffeur, Sara.

Easton Bay in background.

Saint Mary's Church where John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier would become the youngest President and First Lady in American history. Read about it HERE.

And here are two old-timers lounging in a Fall setting.

Youngsters took the photo advantage as well.

Dan and Melanie

For dinner, we made reservations at the Chophouse Grille, a restaurant in Wakefield where Sara worked as a server. For me, an eagerly awaited, mouth drooling culinary event. I've looked forward to this for a long time; a filet mignon with a baked potato.

Larry, Tony, Doreen, Roberta, Melanie, Dan
(Tony's observation: 4 of our 7 are left-handed)

Done to perfection! Béarnaise sauce and sour cream on the side. Those are sauteed Brussel sprouts....delicious. 

Wednesday, we ventured just up the road to Scarborough Beach. A perfect day for sitting in the bright sunshine.

While observing newlyweds beachcombing, the Windswept Mansion in the background caught my eye. It's one of the many abandoned structures in the area. These stone ruins of the outer building are all that remain. Click on the link to read its fascinating history; after changing hands from the original owners, the Davis family who constructed it in 1895, it became Cobb's By The Sea, an upscale restaurant where you paid the high price of $1.75 for boiled lobster and $2.25 for a filet mignon.  

Dog walking on the beach? Lots and lots....as well as silent observers, sea gulls.

Yes, Jack, it's time for dinner....again. Funny how that works. Each day, about the same time, we humans seek nourishment. Tonight it's The Coast Guard House Restaurant. Wine Spectator's Award Winner 2015-2022. John and Martine joined us. Again, a beautiful webpage gives history, menus and incredible photos. Be sure to check it out.

This plaque depicting the high water mark gives a different feeling...

...when you realize by comparison just how high the water line was. Very scary.

Larry, Tony, Doreen, Roberta, Charlie, George, Vicki, John, Martine

Once the sun set, it was chilly.

Charlie's Lobster Mac 'n Cheese. Need I say more?

Thursday, our last day rainy and windy...one of those stay-in-and-read-a-book days. But dinner time rolled around once again and tonight it's George's of Galilee.

End of blog quiz: Name them.

• BAKED STUFFED SHRIMP

  Five succulent jumbo shrimp stuffed with their own Italian herbed cracker stuffing. With it, I enjoyed a Charles Krug Chardonnay. 

Guess you could call this a kind of strawberry shortcake (which I shared).

And, as you would expect, with temperatures in the mid-50's, a full moon overhead and a collection of friends...that first night (and each night) you enjoy the soothing  warmth of a campfire. It's always the highlight of my getting together with my RV friends.

On that warm note, it's time to say good night. Hope you enjoyed the trip; the sights, the friends and the food. It's been a wonderful experience that I was blessed, thankful and fortunate enough to enjoy. My last blog for this RV season will be composed while in Croton Point Park. See you there.