September 13, 2014. Newport, Rhode Island

September 13, 2014. Newport, Rhode Island

What a delicious slice of Americana this harbor town offers to all who take the time to explorer.  The historical vibe, the sense of times past and present blended together, an East Coast rounding of consonants and unique vowel sounds floating in the brisk air, and a small town neighborhood feel from homes peeking around each corner,  you feel the warmth but not the cold size of a big city here.  We arrived a few days ago to attend the Boat Show, meet old boating friends, and enjoy some relaxed time.  When we arrived there were plumbing issues to deal with, a boat is rarely trouble free, a wind generator issue, that can wait, and new friends greeting us.  Ian and Fiona have shared some anchorages with us and came over to say "hi".  They were able to put us in touch with Craig and Karene, friends from the Bristol, Rhode Island reunion, and we ran into Linda and Bill with Tahja from the Salty Dawgs organization.  Social time ahead of projects kept Dave happy.  Dave walked the Boat Show while I caught up with fellow Dawgs and friends at the Salty Dawg booth.  Late afternoon we broke away and had a beer with El Sogno who then tempted us to go with them to West Marine and dinner...we are easy, what can I say! They chose an owner chef restaurant that was in an older section of town.  The lyrical piano playing, the white cloth and napkins, and the antique stain glass  displays gave the perfect backdrop to a delicious meal.  We talked about the best places in Maine and their future plans to head through the canal and off to the Pacific.  After another peaceful night of sleep Dave awoke and dove on the boat to remove barnacles from our thru holes.  We are now trouble free and draining.  The wind generator problem is still out there but it can still wait.  Today we walked the waterfront, hiked up into the town, saw the church that the Kennedy's were married in back in 1953, shot pictures of the International Tennis Museum, and took a dinghy tour of the waterfront mansions.  It is now getting chilly and blackish skies surround us.  Weather is changing and we are tucked in for the night.
There is a small canal between us and the ocean that we will use to head north and into Maine.   We will write after we finish Maine, but feel free to write us now and share with us your must see in Maine spots.