Weekday Wanderings!

This week has been a whirlwind of activity. Our weatherman seems to have lost his knack for predicting the weather and when we thought we had rain, we had nice days. One day we decided to go paddling at the salt water pond, but the wind was horrendous. We paddled around a bit of it and I gave up, my arm was killing me from pushing too hard.

We did get to enjoy the inlets and the wildlife. We even saw a deer frolicking through the marsh, enjoying the open space. We also spotted an Osprey nest, high up in a tree.

I also spotted a Green Heron in a little cove.

Another day rain was predicted, so we went to our local cove. This time I used my peddle board, which was much easier for me, than paddling. We paddled into the town and around the inner bay. This is a view of a surprise I found.

And a close up, of that surprise. Someone has made their home in someones boat. I am not sure if the boat is usable, it looked pretty beat up.

And a close up, of the mail on the left. Love the face he is making. I had to use my hsuband's boat to paddle back out for a photo. One bad thing about the peddle board, you can't take photos while standing. It was a bit windy, so it was hard to grab shots as I rolled in the waves.

More views of the harbor area.

Today we took the boys out for a few hours. They loved taking rides on my board and they swam for a bit, but it was cooler and they got cold. More rain predicted but it seems we get out and it never rains, so hopefully we can get out some more this weekend. I hope everyone has a nice weekend.

Weekend happenings!

This weekend was a mix of sun and rain, but we did get out one day and enjoy exploring a new area. We headed to Salmon River Forest, the main destination was the Comstock covered bridge in Connecticut. We took a back road down, so we enjoyed new views and old barns, but most were hard to stop and get photos of.

The Comstock bridge had to be rebuilt, but they kept the original bridge, just new lumber and trusses to keep it from falling again. It was a beautiful spot to get out and walk along the river.

The bridge is the route for the bike path, we will have to come back to ride, someday. We walked along the river on the main trail and came up some steep hills to enjoy this beautiful view. We walked a bit more, but it seemed the trail was heading away from the river, so we turned back. Now I wish I had remembered to print a map, there was a waterfall not too much further and I really wanted to see that, next time.

There is a bit of color but not what i was hoping for, maybe next weekend. It is still beautiful though and there was a hawk flying down the river, searching for dinner.

We saw a road on the other side of the river and decided to check it out. Along the road was an old mill, it was wonderful to explore, as I walked around the outside, but a bit creepy since it was so large and filled with places, critters might be living.

We continued on and came out to a parking lot, where you could park and start on the bike path. The old railroad bridge is part of the path, beautiful area surrounding by woods.

We got a late start and it was a longer drive, so we will definitely go back to the area and explore more. The towns above this area are historical and lots of parks with hikes. On Sunday it rained in the morning so we waited till it stopped and headed over the Jamestown and walked along the beach at Fort Getty. I wanted to get a few more rocks for painting and it is a great place for Bean to play. Unfortunately the rain came again, so we rode to the lighthouse and it stopped again, long enough to enjoy a walk around the lighthouse loop and hide a few rocks.

On the way home we passed through the village and the kids were trick or treating at the stores. I couldn't get photos as we were moving, but I did get a shot of this storefront, they always have a decorating contest at the local stores, this one was fun.

And online, I saw a beautiful rock that a neighbor found. It was an angel with the saying, " Your wings were ready, but my heart was not". I thought that was the perfect one for me to find and then she messaged me to see if I wanted it. It wasn't a message that had meaning to her, but for some reason she decided to take it and then thought of me, so I thought that was really nice. Now the angel is in my rock garden, in my beach room and she will stay there for now, someday I will see someone who needs that message and pass it along to them.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. We lost power at 11pm last night and it is still out. We are always one of the first to get it back since we live near a school, but it seems everyone else is getting theirs, but not us. We do have a generator, but it is a pain to have wires all over the house and I really need to wash some laundry, lol.

Weekend Wanderings!

I hope everyone got to enjoy the weekend. We had beautiful weather but hotter than I would have liked. On saturday I wanted to go for a shorter walk to a new area. It said 3 miles, but I wasn't thinking, that was for one side of the park, in one town, once you cross the bridge, you are on the other side which added another 3 miles. So, we walked over 6 miles and it was hot and the mosquitos were out in full force.

I had a map, so we headed to the bridge. What I didn't know was, we went on a different trail so we actually went in a different area and found a different bridge.

As you can see, the bridge had a long wooden walkway. That is because the area is swampy and swampy means mosquitos. I am glad I had bug spray with me.

After we walked up and down granite hills, we came out to the back side of the bridge we were looking for. The original bridge was used as a crossing to move granite to the next town. Then another was built and the floods carried it away. Hopefully the new metal bridge will last longer.

The views from the bridge were worth a rest stop. Rushing waters on one side, calm on the other. This is the river we paddle on, but a section we haven't been on, something for a future paddle.

I finally had my bearings for where we were on the map, so the next stop was a historic grave. The grave sits near the river and I found this grave from a revolutionary war veteran.

Our final destination was the overlook. A beautiful place for a lunch break. A place I will definitely go back to and hike on the other side of the trails which criss cross the river.

Sunday was another hot day but we had to finish the new door frame and walls, so we did some shopping for supplies and Bill got that started. While we waited for the dust to settle, I decided it was the perfect time to go for a paddle at our town harbor. The tide was high in the afternoon, so the best time to enjoy the coves.

We paddled up to the breakers and enjoyed the cool breezes and the water was warm enough to sit in and cool down.

We went into town and enjoyed people watching, or maybe they were watching us;) A perfect way to end the weekend.

A day in the Cove!

Today I slept in, really needed it. Then I got to the doctors and it was a long visit, seems everyone else needed to get in too and since it is a clinic, you wait your turn. I just wanted to get out so I could go paddling, lol. I will be on two antibiotics this time to start killing off the lyme. I need to be symptom free before I can go off or it comes back and I don't want that to happen.

Since it was late, we went to the cove and paddled for three hours, well, paddled and strolled the shores, since it was low tide.
So many wonderful things today and with low tide, we could walk on and along side the breakers.



On the opposite side is a neighborhood and the old Navy base which is now home to Electric Boat. Anyone missing a boat?



There were lots of crabs and starfish. I like the contrast of colors on these.



Bill said this is a dog fish, wish I could have gotten a clearer picture, he was so ugly, he was cute.



And on the way back we paddled through town and then along the marina's. I guess another boat got lost and found it's way here. Tomorrow we are heading south for a paddle, so were we go will depend on what is open in that area.

The Calm after the Storm!

We were lucky, we got a lot of wind and rain, but no damage.
We did lose power, but then again, so did most of RI, lol.
We have a generator, so we were fine, just annoying to have it rumbling all day and night and cords all over the house.
At night, no lights so I walked into a few things, but now the power is on, so I can keep my night light on.

Today was so beautiful, sunny and warm with a cool breeze, the perfect day.
Without power, the doctor was closed, so have to go tomorrow. We decided to go to the town beach and see how the village looked and if there was a lifeguard still. I wanted to paddle from the beach, but you can't during the summer season and the lifeguards were still there along with a sign, no swimming. The heavy rains create bacteria in the coves, so they were being safe and no paddling today:(

I did get the house all cleaned again, cooking and laundry, so I can have fun tomorrow after the docs.
My garden looks sad, the wind really bent my plants down, but they are still rooted and growing, so at least I can still get fresh vegetables. I hope all of you that are still in bad areas, are able to get things cleaned up and back to normal. Prayers to those in Vermont who are going through the terrible floods.

Don't pick up Hitchhikers!

I had to get my brain centered today, to get myself going, but I finally got in a better frame of mind and was glad I went out.
We paddled for over 3 hours, and since it was high tide, we could paddle in and out of the coves further in. I just took my time and enjoyed being out. I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend.

"Didn't your mother tell you, to never pick up Hitchhikers!"



Why I never let Bill take pictures of me;)



We went into the village cove, lots of boats and the restaurant smells were making me hungry. I forgot my snacks at home. It was Bill's night for cooking, so we had fried shrimp, so now I am happy and full.

As for the time it takes to cook my green beans, I have no idea. Maybe because I cook them on low? But, the time in soaking and simmering, gives you the most delicious beans, just tender enough to eat, but not too soft to be mush.

Saturday on the Bay!

I really needed to get out and do things today, no matter how I feel.
It was a beautiful day, not too hot and nice breeze. So, we went to the cove.
It was hotter in the sun than I realized and it did tire me out quick, so instead of paddling in the coves, we went straight to the breakers. The breezes are so much nicer on the open waters and the views were spectacular today. It was so nice to get out and breath in the salt air, was so glad I went.

I do long to go out on the bay, splashing into the waves with my kayak, there is nothing like it. I will just have to a launch in the bay, then I can enjoy a paddle without having to paddle too far.



It was low tide today and lots of shells on the beach. I saw this conch in the water and pulled it out to look at it, then realized it was already occupied, lol. I thank you all for your wonderful comments and good wishes for a quick recovery. I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend, and enjoy the goodness and beauty that God has given us to enjoy.

"Oh Deer, what can the matter be?"

Ok, I am a bit punchy today, think I spent too much time in the sun, lol.
We finally got out for a paddle, and it even sprinkled on and off, but it was still humid.

There was a beautiful blue heron but he was hidden too much in the marsh and with the rain, I couldn't get a shot, maybe he will be there next time. Always wonderful wild fowl to be seen on the shores and in the marsh coves, but today we got a rare treat. I thought I saw a dog at first, then realized it was a deer with her two fawns. They were trying to get out of the neighborhood they were in, heading for the point, so not sure where they were going.

I think they were confused as to where to go, especially when they saw this sign.



I guess they can't read, or they didn't care, they just kept going.



And being the fools that we are, we kept paddling in the rain, around the harbor. I was able to take this shot during a rain break, boats going in and out of the harbor and a few people came out to fish on the breakers. We are not the only ones who love to "Play in the rain";)

Anniversary Day Three!

Today, rain was in the forecast, so we thought we would slip out for a few hours. We went to Wickford Harbor which is right down the road, so we saved time by not traveling far. Our harbor has lots of coves, a couple of small islands and lots of wildlife. The day was overcast but the water was smooth, so nice easy paddling.



The geese really enjoy the area, flocks of them all over the islands.



Egrets seem to stay in pairs, each to their own island or cove.



The area has a lot of commorants. They sit on poles, buoys and rocks. I just love this photo, I think I might do it into an art photo and frame it for my daughter's new place.



Of course, you can't get too close, or this happens.



We paddled to the breakers and enjoyed the activity on the bay. The air show is this weekend, so we also got to watch the planes as they practiced their aerial acts. Unfortunately it started to rain, but that didn't keep us from paddling. We paddled into town and back around, until the rain got heavier and I decided it was time to go home;) Tomorrow there will be a break before the rain comes back, so maybe we will go for a walk to the point, my arms are really sore today.

This was the last shot I could get and it was just starting to drizzle. Leave a comment here and get a second chance to enter the giveaway. Thank you for all your well wishes and a Happy Anniversary to those of you who are celebrating their anniversary this month.

Giveaway Winner!

Still resting, which is not fun, but I spent half the day working on a new cross stitch and the rest, working on the piece.
I could not finish it tonight, so tomorrow I will finish the piece and tomorrow, I will have a new freebie pattern that you can make up for the holidays. Since I have no photos tonight, I stole this one from facebook. This is how santa arrives in our town. In place of reindeer, kayakers lead the boat into the harbor.



I want to thank CSN for sponsoring the contest and hope you will visit their site to see all of the wonderful things that they sell.
And now onto the winner, The generator picked number 31, which is Kelley Belfast! Congratulations to Kelley, who has told me that she is using her prize to make someone else very happy this Christmas.

Come Paddle With Me!

Today I finally got to go out paddling. It has been so hot lately, that I haven't been able to paddle.
Today was perfect, sunny and a nice breeze. We decided to go to our local launch which is in wickford harbor.

Here Bill is going under the bridge. Wickford is an old town, with lots of fun shops and lots of boats in the harbor.



We went back out into the main cove and paddled around the shores and landed at our favorite spot for our rest break.
This is where the boats go out to the bay, so we can sit and enjoy the breezes and the scenery.



This is a view looking back to Wickford, where we had gone first.



This is Bill getting back in his boat. The cove is a wonderful place to paddle, calmer than the bay and little islands to go around.



The treat for the day was what I found as we were heading back to the launch. The tide was high when we started and going down as we came in. As I was paddling near the shoreline, I saw all these little yellow things running into the mud and little holes. They looked like hundreds of big bugs.



When I got closer, I realized they were crabs. Lots of little fiddler crabs with one big yellow claw. As the run to hide in the mud, all you can see if the big yellow claw. It was very neat to see that, once I got over my, it looks like giant spiders fear;)



Then I got to see the bird in the nest that stands in the marshes. The marsh reeds are taller than I am and the pole is about 30 feet up, so I had to use a zoom to get a decent shot. That is not easy when you are in a rolling boat. Bill said it is a hawk, I say it looks more like an Osprey.