Phase XXXVIII : Rhode Island

The Revival!  Recognizing the best path to recovery was another good nights rest, we checked into a Motel 6 in Newport.  Mer's appetite was coming back, so I headed to the "Wharf Pub" in downtown Newport to get takeout.  I loved this pub, and the food was phenomenal (shrimp po'boy wrap, clam chowder, & mac n' cheese).  While waiting for the order, I relished in a local brew and caught up on some football.  Downtown Newport generated a level of excitement I had not experienced in awhile.  The harbor was filled with energy!

The next morning Mer was feeling better and the spirit was willing!  Unfortunately, it was raining hard, so we had to find some indoor activity.  We were going to visit the local art museum, but then Mer suggested we visit The Breakers (One of many mansions built off the sea).  Before heading in that direction, we stopped at Newport Creamery where we consumed waffle shaped, grilled cheese sandwiches.  Dessert was awful awfuls.  What's an awful awful?  It's a $5 shake...milk and ice cream :)  But it's a mammoth of a shake, and we both went with mocha flavor.  Don't pass them up!

Outside National Parks, Lifetime published a magazine of 100 places to see in America.  This book really inspired some of the must-see destinations along our trip, and it so happens the Breakers was one of them.  Built in the 1700s, owned by the Vanderbilts, the mansion reeks of the luxurious lifestyle during that time period; accented with an abundant French decor.

It was still raining hard, so we passed the time driving around the Newport peninsula and admiring the mansions by the sea.  We pulled over at Ft. Adams State Park for additional rest, which faced southwest into the sea.  Visibility was minimal, but had the sun been out, we could have seen Long Island.  Mer briefly napped and upon waking, she was ready to embrace the remainder of this leg.

I will always remember this as a turning point, the revival.  She was even ready to try some local brew.  We planned to visit Tilted Barn or Proclamation, but both were closed.  We ended up at Revival BC.  Coincidence?  I think not.  We had the best experience and the bartender (Kevin) contributed to much of that.  We talked beer, and he shared it!  Before leaving the state, we stopped at a local Mexican restaurant, where I had a chipotle chicken burrito and Mer had a mole chicken dish.  To say it was amazing would be an understatement.  Despite the rain, this would be one of my favorite days of this leg; the day Mer was ready to adventure.