Rhode Island

Vintage card from Misquamicut Beach

Rhode Island is the smallest of the United States.  When I was a teenager, if you said Rhode Island, my brain immediately thought “Beach!”  It was only a few hours away from where we lived to Misquamicut Beach which was our favorite.  Some of my best (or worst) sunburns came from our trips there.  I remember one in particular.  My husband (boyfriend at that time) and his two sisters and I went on the bus to the beach.  It was an overcast day and of course we didn’t think we would even get a tan.  It didn’t feel very hot because of the cloud cover so we lay on the beach for much too long.  The rest of them have darker complexions since they are French and German but they also burned.  I am one of those very fair skinned people who burn easily so the trip on the bus home was miserable for all of us.



Rocky beach in Rhode Island

During that time one of my best friends invited me to accompany her family for a week at their camp on an inlet off the ocean.  I’m not sure exactly where it was located but we could walk down the path to a tiny wooden dock to go crabbing.  The water was shallow there and you could lie on the dock to grab the crabs with a net.  We sometimes could get permission to take her Dad's boat for a short ride in the bay.


Narragansett Bay is a large part of the eastern portion of Rhode Island and has many miles of sheltered beaches and coves.  There are about thirty islands within the bay and of course wonderful access to the ocean.  There are many beaches along the western section of Rhode Island directly on to Long Island Sound.

 

Rhode Island Junior College in Warwick RI

Providence is not only the capital city but the largest city in the state.   It boasts the first Baptist Church, the first fully automated Post Office and a capitol building made from white marble.  Providence is also home to Brown University and several other higher education institutions.  Summer visitors can enjoy WaterFire, a musical delight held in WaterPlace Park along the downtown river.   



Lighthouse Point - Watch Hill/Westerly RI

Newport showcases the mansions built by the industrial founders who chose Newport for their summer “cottages”.  Many of them are open for tours and provide a glimpse into the luxurious life of these families.  The Blackstone Valley is considered the home of the Industrial Revolution in Pawtucket at Slater Mill.  You can enjoy a twelve mile ferry trip to Block Island off the southern shore of Rhode Island for a wonderful day trip.  Beaches, shops, nature trails, two 19^th Century lighthouses and lots of fresh ocean breeze make a memorable adventure.  For further information on Rhode Island and the many things to do and places to see, check out their website at  http://www.visitri.com/

Pennsylvania

 It has been a long six weeks since I had my foot surgery.  It was both better and worse than I thought.  I don’t know when I will be able to wear real shoes again or drive or walk normal.  I am a little old lady but it is not nice to actually walk like a little old lady.  I’m sorry it has been such a long time that I have not posted anything.   My husband has also had health issues contributing to the delay.  Hopefully I can get back on schedule and post about once every week to ten days.

Multi view card from 1980s

Pennsylvania is one of the larger states in the eastern part of the United States.   Harrisburg is the Capitol city and other large cities include Allentown, Erie, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.  The state has a border of about 50 miles of coast on Lake Erie and about 50 miles on the Delaware Estuary.   Although there are several large cities, the majority of the state is farmland and smaller towns. 

I remember Pennsylvania as green – lots of fields of green crops, green trees lining the residential streets in the cities and green forests in the mountainous areas. The Appalachian Mountains run through the middle of the state and provide hikers and outdoor lovers with a wonderful experience. The Pennsylvania Turnpike is one of the oldest toll roads in the US streamlining travel across the state. It was originally opened in the 1930s, featured seven tunnels, and is a part of the Interstate Transit System now with only four remaining tunnels. 

1960s card from "The Pennsylvania Dutch Country"

One of the largest areas of Amish settlements is found in the southern part of the state.   Lancaster is a town where you can explore this alternate culture.  In Lancaster County,  the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau provides information and arranges tours of the Amish farmlands nearby.

Independence Hall

Philadelphia is the largest Pennsylvania city with a history going back to colonial times.  Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell are just two of the many interesting sites there.  If you are a “Rocky” fan, you will want to view the famous statue and the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  The Reading Terminal Market is the oldest farmers market in the United States.  In Philadelphia your lunch should be an authentic Philly Cheese Steak sandwich which consists of thinly sliced roasted beef, topped with melted cheese on a long crusty roll.

Lincoln Gettysburg Address Memorial

Gettysburg and the Underground Railway were important during our Civil War and their history provides more interesting places to visit.  The Johnstown Flood Museum chronicles the famous devastating flood of 1899.  These and many other attractions are just waiting for you to discover.   Websites for Pennsylvania and Philadelphia are found at http://www.visitpa.com/ and http://www.visitphilly.com/