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.