My Inspiration
My husband Gary and I are celebrating our 33rd wedding anniversary on July 18. Our home, filled with love and laughter, is a very busy place. Our 25 year old quadruplets live at home. So, Gary and I decided to escape for a few days and go to Newport, RI. We had never been there before. Everyone we told we were going said, "Oh, you must see The Breakers and take the Cliff Walk!" We did that and more.
Newport was not exactly what we expected. We expected peace, quiet, tranquility. No! Newport, as nice as it is, is a tourist trap with shopping and restaurants and shopping and mansions and shopping and ice cream. I was surprised at the amount of shops.
The Mansions
We toured a few of the mansions.
This one is called The Breakers. This is a picture of the back of it. You are not permitted to take pictures inside any of the mansions. This mansion was the Vanderbilt's summer cottage. Yep, I said "cottage."
This photo is provided on The Breakers website. If you click on the image above it will take you to the website. Can you imagine this as your "beach house?"
As we drove by this mansion these camels caught my eye.
This is Rough Point. It was the home of Doris Duke. We loved this home. Doris Duke lived here until her death in 1991. Although this is a mansion there was a homey feel about it.
By the way, the camels are not real. They are topiaries. However, at one time, Doris did have real camels on the property.
Reluctantly at first, but then joyfully, we did take The Cliff Walk. Newport's Cliff Walk takes you around the back of the mansions. I am afraid of heights, but I felt safe on this path. Be sure to wear good walking shoes if you take the Cliff Walk.
My husband is a pipefitter, and this antique pipe fascinated him. I took this photo for him.
This tree is on the Doris Duke estate. I was amazed by the massive roots of this tree. This tree said, "I may be old, but I am still strong," to me.
I loved this planter! The geraniums are staked making it look like a geranium tree. I do not have a green thumb, but I think I may be able to handle this.
These roses are growing into forming an arbor. I could visualize a bride walking with her father through this harbor on her wedding day. (Yes, I am dreaming about a wedding. No one is engaged yet, but I can dream.)
Cocktail hour --- our view.
Cocktail hour --- my Watermelon Martini.
This is how they do burgers in Newport! There is a burger underneath that huge pile of buttered lobster! Yum!
This is how they do pizza in Newport! A white pie with scallops, shrimp, and crab meat!
Amazing!
I fell in love with the Watermelon Martinis. I will definitely recreate this drink!
Ice Cream!!!! The best ice cream ever!
On our way home we stopped at The Mohegan Sun. It was very pretty. However, be warned, they allow smoking. Gary and I stopped for a cocktail at this bar and there were ashtrays on the bar. I haven't seen that in 30 years!
A gorgeous glass sculpture in The Mohegan Sun.
After three nights and four days we returned home. Back to the world of laundry and grass mowing. It is really nice to get away, and it is really nice to come home.
Love,
Terry
