Most Thanksgivings, we like to try paddling someplace new. This year’s choice: tiny Block Island, RI (the smallest town in the smallest state). But Wednesday morning, as a nor’easter slammed up the coast packing 50-mph winds, our minds converged on a slightly larger vessel for the eight-mile crossing from the mainland…the Point Judith ferry. These photos are from her windows—starting at the hardworking docks of Point Judith, Rhode Island, to the genteel Victorian-era hotels that frame Block Island’s Old Harbor.
In case you’re not from these parts, a nor’easter (northeaster) is a massive cyclonic storm that forms within 100 miles of the U.S. east coast and swirls madly inland, raining havoc upon the New England and mid-Atlantic regions (and our turkey dinner).
Nor’easters thrive on converging air masses—cold Arctic air and warmer air from the oceanic Gulf stream—often resulting in blizzard conditions, frigid temps, coastal flooding and hurricane-force winds. Not exactly what you had in mind for your “island vacation.”
But we have to admit, we loved it. (We are weather geeks.) And there’s something about cold November wind rattling the windows all night that makes snuggling under extra quilts even cozier. (Lesson: bed & breakfast trumps tent!)
And the next morning…piff! Like nothing even happened. We spent the picture-calm day exploring the island on foot. More posts and pics to come.
Happy Thanksgiving, everybody! 🙂 See other interpretations of this week’s photo challenge, all converging here.
That’s the difference between summer and winter conditions… We are fair-weather paddlers: we’ve only paddled out to Block Island in the summer, and sometimes it was fairly challenging even then 🙂
Hey, Vlad! We hear you. Talked to a few RI folks who’ve crossed—most conclude it’s boring, as long scenery- less crossings can be—and once they’ve dunnit, they never do it again. This doesn’t stop us from fantasizing about kayaks as ferry freight, however, and paddling once we get there… hope you and Johna will consider joining us for a Block Island spree! Big hugs, J&A
Well, it seems I like long boring crossings 😉 I’ve done it four times, but for variety’s sake I started in three different places on the RI mainland, and once in CT. The funny thing is that I’ve never actually spent a night on Block Island—each time I turned round and paddled right back. So it would be fun to explore a bit for a change!
Hey Vlad. We are planning on it—with you as trip leader, if you don’t mind. It will be so much fun to hang out there with you guys!
The shot by the sea is incredible: such a play of shadow and light, yet like you I am often fascinated by what we can see through rain-drops on glass.
Gee, thanks Vic! It was a whim to just ignore the rain and take the pics anyway. We kinda liked the impressionistic result. Thanks so much for kind words!
Just to tell you that I really enjoy your blog. Thanks for your efforts.
And thank you, Jack! We’re delighted to hear from you. How’s the paddling in Portugal? We may want to find out firsthand 🙂