Beaches of Block Island, Rhode Island

I know it's the first day of fall, but it is still 87 degrees here. And I just got back from a few days on the Atlantic Ocean.  Let's be honest, who is ready to say bye to summer?   In celebration of a wonderful summer, I am so excited to share some Block Island posts with you all.  I have been visiting this island for years and I just got back from another great trip on Sunday. Let's get started! 

Block Island was formed from glacial deposits that made their way down the East Coast.  Block Island is actually part of the state of Rhode Island and you will see a ton of BIRI car stickers along vehicles of the East Coast. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean about 13 miles south of Rhode Island and 14 miles east of Montauk Point on Long Island.  Block Island is only 7 miles long and 3 miles wide, shaped like a pork chop covering 7,000 acres.  Technically, the only town on Block Island (New Shoreham) is the smallest town in the smallest state in the U.S. 

This tiny island is paradise found.  

Two gorgeous lighthouses, 250' bluffs, 17 miles of beaches, and unique geography of the Island make this spot one of its kind. Block Island is often noted as the "Bermuda of the North" and its vibe can sort of be compared to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket.  Weekends are full of tourists on bicycles and mopeds, venturing around this island. Days spent at the beach, and nights spent at many of the great bars and restaurants around the island.  The population rises from 900 in the winter to an estimated 12,000 people in the summer.

Block Island means a few different things to a few different groups of people.  Whether it be the party crowd on the fourth of July (an infamous Block party weekend), or the weekend warriors who make their way to Ballards before renting a moped.  For me, Block is relaxing at a gorgeous house with the best of company, spending as much time as possible on the beach.  It is a place where we make wonderful group dinners based off of BJ's shopping trips, and pollish off a few books in a week. 

Rest and Relaxation is the name of my trips to Block Island.

We stay in this beautiful family home that belongs to Thatcher's grandfather.  At the dead end of the island by North Light, it is the definition of complete solitude with stunning views of the ocean below. With windows like this you never miss a sunset.  You can read more about the 1967 prefab Jens Risom house in this Dwell article

This gorgeous house, the insane view of the ocean and North Light, the wonderful company and the beaches of Block Island make it something I look forward to at the end of summer.  Admission to all beaches, as well as parking, is free and dog-friendly. Huge sandy beaches, and with 17 miles you can avoid the crowds.  Town Beach is popular among the tourists, and Mansion Beach is definitely a favorite.  No lifeguard, dogs allowed, it is a spot where you can relax on beautiful perfect sandy beaches, crystal clear water, and enjoy the day. 

 Beaches of Block Island 

From AboutBlockIsland.com

Fred Benson Town Beach is Block Island’s fully equipped bathhouse and pavilion. Once called State Beach, it’s now owned by the town and leased to a management company that has upgraded the facility. “Town Beach” is one of two island beaches staffed with lifeguards. Showers, lockers, and such rental items as chairs, umbrellas and boogie boards are available. Hot food and drinks are sold, and there’s plenty of free parking. Admission is free. Corn Neck Road.  

Ballard’s Beach is the other B.I. beach staffed with lifeguards. This deep-sand beach—located on the south side of the Old Harbor breakwater and behind Ballard’s restaurant—is popular because of its many offerings. Drinks are served by beachcombing waitstaff. There’s live music on the patio, and volleyball and other beach recreation are offered daily. Those seeking solitude be warned: this beach can be crowded on hot days.  

Black Rock is named after a large dark rock. Hidden under 20 feet of water, it has been the demise of many ships. You’ll want to hike or bike into this area; it’s not accessible by car. There are a couple of beaches at the base of the bluffs. While certainly not the best place for lying on the beach, sandy stretches can be found here. Black Rock is the end point of a few trails through Rodman’s Hollow. Use caution when swimming; the surf can be very rough here.

Charlestown Beach is a sandy, peaceful beach that is popular with fishermen, especially along the jetty at its north end. For beachgoers, the jetty is a challenging walk. The beach is quite large and the waters are usually tranquil. From here, you can watch boats entering New Harbor and get a look at the former Coast Guard Station (now town-owned). Limited parking is available at the station.

Dorry’s Cove is a black-sand beach. It is small and generally uncrowded, with nice sunset views of Long Island. The waters are usually calm and access is easy, making this a good swimmer’s beach. It is also popular with snorklers, and it’s a great place for picnics.

“Kid Beach” is a well-sheltered beachfront at the south end of Crescent Beach. Here, kids can play in shallow waters, catch small crabs, find mussels, wrestle with seaweed, maybe even find a sand dollars. Adults can wade out for a peaceful swim while the kids play in the sand. This is also the closest beach to town, which may be the primary reason why so many adults bring their little ones here.

Mansion Beach is at the end of a dirt road by the same name. The island’s biggest home once sat here like a jewel on a hill overlooking the beach and nearby Jerry’s Point. Fire destroyed the mansion, but the beach lives up to the name—by being B.I.’s grandest. There is parking, but the spaces fill up on busy weekends.

AMusicalVision.com

"White Hall," the Searles Mansion on Block Island was nicknamed the "Mansion House" shortly after its completion in 1890.  Seales spent over one million dollars on the project (about 24 million dollars today). On April 23, 1963, it mysteriously burned to the ground. Arson was suspected, but no one has ever been implicated.

Pieces of the stone walls that currently mark the beach parking lot is all that remains of the White Hall. 

Scotch Beach is a quarter mile north of Fred Benson Town Beach. The sand is usually deep here, and the bottom—depending on recent weather—is generally devoid of rocks. This is a sandbox for big kids—the domain of the island’s summer workers, but tourists love this stretch, too. Bring a cooler, an umbrella and chairs, and dig in for the day. There is a small parking lot off Corn Neck Road.

Vaill Beach is at the bottom of Snake Hollow. A steep, slippery trail through the hollow is accessible at the first bend in Black Rock Road. Vaill Beach is to the left at the end of the trail, beyond 50 yards of rocky terrain. The surf at Vaill can be heavy, and there are some rocks in the shallows. Depending on winter storms, Vaill in summer can be either rocky or deep in fine sand.

West Beach presents a truly different experience. The beach here is lightly trafficked, has calm surf and offers perhaps the island’s best beach walk. To the south is Beane Point; this area is part of a bird sanctuary (no dogs allowed). To the north, dunes lead to the North Light (watch out for nesting seagulls). There is parking at the end of West Beach Road (past the Transfer Station).

Below are some of my pictures from gorgeous days spent on the beaches of Block Island.

 Enjoy!

Mansion Beach, Block Island 

Mansion Beach, Block Island

Block Island has wide beautiful sandy beaches.  After labor day, we basically had the beach to ourselves.  Dog-friendly less popular no lifeguard Mansion Beach is our favorite. This beach is less tourists and more locals and families.  Most of the day and weekend trippers stop at Town beach because it is close, Mansion is a little farther and less known to tourists.  

Mansion Beach, Block Island

Mansion Beach, Block Island

Mansion Beach, Block Island

Mansion Beach, Block Island

The water at the beaches is pretty crystal clear.  No seaweed, some rocks, but basically a beautiful sandy beach that is perfect for swimming.  With some wind, it is also a popular spot for boogie boarding and surfing. I can't even explain to you how good it felt to get into the water.  Living land locked gave me a whole new appreciation of the ocean.  I could have spent all day every day in this water. 

Mansion Beach, Block Island

One of my favorite things to do is to take a long walk down the beach mid-day.  After sitting in the sun, it feels so good to walk barefoot down the sandy beach and marvel at the beautiful homes of Block Island.  

Mansion Beach, Block Island

Vail Beach, Block Island 

Path to Vail Beach

Some of the beaches have a tricky walkway.  This is the pathway to Vail Beach.  I promise the trip down to the ocean is always (always) worth it.

Vail Beach, Block Island

These little rock sculptures are all over the island.  These were all along the beach.

Crab at Vail Beach, Block Island

Long walks on the beach were full of various critters and my favorite, sea glass and sea shells. 

Crab shell at Vail Beach, Block Island

Staircase at Vail Beach, Block Island

The stairs coming down the bluffs from the houses above are iconic Block Island.  Beautiful bluffs, and then these wooden staircases can be found all over the island.  Mohegan Bluffs are the most visited bluffs on the Island. 

Lobster pots at Vail Beach, Block Island

Dog-friendly Vail Beach, Block Island

One of my favorite parts about Block Island is how dog-friendly the island is.  Expansive beaches that your dog can play at any time of the day.  Dogs are supposed to be leashed on the island, but it is very very common to see unleashed dogs playing on the beaches. 

walking the beach at Vail Beach, Block Island

Check back in for posts about the gorgeous lighthouses and the ferry to and from the island. 

Tips for flying

 Katie's Tips For Flying

Sunday I headed back west to Salt Lake City after an amazing 10 days back East (and I think the 12^th plane this summer- hello layovers).  After flying so frequently, I think I compiled a pretty good list of dos and do nots.  Especially after flying SO many domestic flights (think smaller planes and heavier Americans) I think this tips are pretty crucial to keep your travel experiences fun and healthy. Some I learned firsthand (like which water bottles will shower your neighbor at 10,000’) and some I learned from my devout people watching at airports. Lets dive right into my tips for flying.  

What to wear:  I try to find a medium between wear something comfy and looking nice. I mean, you are never going to see me walk off a plane in heels (wedges once, quick 1 hour flight to Vegas), but never in heels.  But it doesn’t have to be my pajamas either.  I try to find somewhere in the middle.  If I am carrying heavier clothing items, I try to wear those.  If it is fall/winter I will wear the boots I plan on bringing, or if I am bringing sneakers and I am short on room, I will wear those.  Flip flops take up little room, pack those and wear on heavier footwear. I usually go for a comfortable pant (jeans or tights), long sleeve shirt, and a sweater or scarf to keep me warm.  Comfortable, but not the person who shows up in their PJs. 

Wear a scarf.  A scarf is one of my best tools for flying.  I can wear it around my neck, or unwrap it as a blanket if I am cold.  I can roll it up and use it as a head support.  Lots of options with a scarf.  If you get really chilly I suggest bringing a jacket, but again, this can get clunky on the plane with you.  If you are traveling somewhere cold with limited luggage space, then I advise wearing a jacket.  If you are not bringing a jacket, a scarf will be a great tool in flight to keep you warm and comfortable. And hey, stylish. 

Always try to carry on.  This is important for a few reasons.  A-- it forces you to THINK about what you are packing.  Let’s face it, we never wear all of the things we brought along. It is also a good motto for life, keeping it simple, and only taking what you need.  B-- if you check your baggage you never have to wait at the baggage claim or wait in line to check bags.  When I get off a plane I am going RIGHT to ground transportation.  My impatient self hates spending 30 minutes waiting at baggage claim, or waiting in line to drop bags.  On that note, by always carrying on you will never lose luggage.  Important for me because again, I do not have time or patience to wait for my bags to be found.  C-- its free to carry on.  Most airlines charge you for bags these days (with the exception of Southwest who allows you to check TWO bags for free- but again, I still carry on for the reasons mentioned above).  Carry on and you avoid a lot of headaches and a few fees.  According to data released this year by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, domestic airlines raked in $3.35 billion in baggage fees last year. Source That is just crazy, carry onners unite. 

Here is an article that details what outfits and how to pack for a carry on suitcase.  What outfits will work best for your trip.  The down and dirty is to make sure you have a lot of pieces that match (If you are bringing one pair of jeans (all you need) making sure all your tops match that. 

 And once you figured our what you are bringing,  here you can buy some amazing packing cubes that will help maximize space in your carry on- I swear by these for fitting all my clothes in my carry on, and keeping them organized.  Do be mindful that because of the baggage fees, more people are carrying on, meaning sometimes it is a fight for cabin space.  A good boarding position or seats assures you baggage room.  If not, they may have to gate check your bag, but at no cost to you.

Always bring an empty water bottle.  The flight attendants sometimes take a while to come around for beverages (Not their fault) but flying is very dehydrating (dry air) and keeping hydrated is SO important for jet lag and overall good health.  Having a water bottle you can fill past security and bring on the plane with you is a great option. I highly advise one without a flip straw.  My water bottle has a straw that flips up and you can only guess what happened at altitude with the change in pressure.  I opened up my bottle to take a drink and water shot out like a cannon allllll over the plane and my neighbors.

Wash your hands.  Wash your hands as often as you can.  Those planes are basically the flu virus with wings.  You are touching seatbelts, trays, arm rests, along with the rest of the sick population.  I even saw one guy bring wipes with him and wipe down his tray before he had his snack or worked on this computer.  Nothing is worst than catching a bug on the plane and spending your vacation sick. 

Bring snacks.  The days of meals on planes is long gone.  You are lucky if you get peanuts or pretzels.  And I give airlines enough money, I will not pay for those snack packs (see a common theme here?). Bring some healthy options from home (yes, you can bring food from home! Just no liquids!).  This way, you can avoid the garbage airport food, long lines, and high prices. 

Get there early.  Flying can be stressful enough. I get rid of the time factor all together by always getting to the airport super early. 30 minutes of extra sleep isn't worth the stress of close calls at the airport.  You never know what security lines will be like.  Just get there early.

Get the app.  This day and age, you can check in at home the day before, and use an app for a boarding pass. No printing, no waiting at kiosks, no checking in on the plane.  Apps also notify you of delays, set up timers, and give you important gate information.  The apps are free from the supporting airline and are a great tool to keep you organized and informed.

Be courteous.  If it is a quick flight, do not recline your seat.  These seats are getting smaller and smaller and we need all the room we can get.  Be courteous and leave your seat in the upright position during shorter flights.  My next time will come off as insensitive, but I’m here to tell it like it is.  If you are a heavier individual… plan accordingly.  Whether that be buying an extra seat or an upgrade to first class, if you cannot fit in your seat, you need to make adjustments, and not at your neighbors sake. More than once I have had to sit next to a HEAVY (fine obese) person and it’s a nightmare.  Having to share my tiny seat, touching someone else’s thigh, and to a point where I can’t get the armrest down and have to see T Rex style for a flight is awful.  Be considerate. Also in this column I would add noise considerations (always always headphones), neck supporters if you plan on sleeping (no drooling on your neighbor) and most importantly, eat your smell food in the terminal, don’t bring your Chinese food on the plane to munch while flying. 

Do some research.  I was glad to find out that Southwest offers free in flight entertainment.  However, if you want to watch a movie, you need to download this particular (and free) app.  However, I am not sure if you can do that in flight without purchasing wifi, so knowing ahead and downloading the app at home was key. Also, just knowing about the perks helps. I found out I can watch chopped up in the sky for free.  This means charging all my devices at home so I can watch bad tv and do some homework on my flight.  Good to be informed. 

Give up your seat for a voucher.  If you don’t have a serious time commitment and your flight is overbooked, race your butt to that kiosk and offer your seat.  I booked a $100 flight to Vegas (didn’t pay for it, paid for with credit card points, that’s my next tip), and on the way back, gave up my seat for a $400 voucher.  I made money off this flight.  The flight was free, and I got a free flight home to Connecticut for Christmas, the time when people are poor and the flights are not cheap.  If you have some flexibility, give up your seat the credit is worth it.  Sometimes it is just a few hour delay (2 in my case from Vegas) or sometimes its an overnight.  If its an overnight-er, they put you in a hotel room for the night.  And hey, what a fun way to explore a new city, on an unexpected overnight layover.  I am a fan of giving up my seat for that credit on my next flight.

Don’t pay for your flight (if you don’t have to!).  Some people go really heavy into this credit card miles deals, I am not into that.  Constantly opening and closing credit cards just can’t be good for credit and for my identity security.  Instead, I chose a credit card with a great point system and put everythingggg on my credit card.  I then rack up the points, and only use my points on flights.  80% of my flights are paid for through credit card points, without any cost to me. 

Always stay at the gate.  Always.  (ALWAYS).  Even if your flight is delayed.  As I type this, I am watching a frantic family fighting with the attendant.  A flight was delayed two hours, and then moved back to the original time.  The family decided to grab some food while waiting for their flight (now delayed then undelayed) and never heard the latest memo about the flight taking off at the original time.  She did URGE everyone to stay by the gate in case things change, but I get the need to kill time at the bar.  However.....Stay by the gate, and check your app.  No one wants to miss a flight. (And if you stay at the gate, you are first in line to take up any upgrades or give up your seat).  Get there early and stay put.

Always confirm your gate.  And not just by checking the monitor. I always walk up to the exact gate first thing, make sure I am in the right place, before I head to a bathroom or get some food (if I have to, stay by the gate if you can to be the first updated about changes (my tip above!).  I am so glad I did this in Chicago because after walking to my gate on one end of the airport, I noticed my gate had been changed to the other end.  In a large airport with short layovers, you do not want to risk missing your flight because you stopped at Panda Express before checking your gate.  Verify your gate AT that gate before you kill free time in the airport.  A lot of airports are huge and if there is a last minute gate change, you need to know as soon as possible to have time to get there.  Get to the gate early and always confirm.

Be flexible.  Traveling comes with its own ups and downs, and a whole lot of uncertainties.  Weather turns, flights get delayed, gates change, and flights get overbooked.  Be flexible and try to keep your positive side high on days you fly.  

Have any travel tips you swear by>  Share them below! 

Happy Flying!

Riverside Farm, Pittsfield Vermont

Pittsfield, Vermont 

Drive to Pittsfield

The final destination of our Vermont road trip was Pittsfield, Vermont.  Our good friends Amy and Luis were getting married on the gorgeous Riverside Farm in Pittsfield, Vermont.  After a stop at Whetstone Station in Brattleboro Vermont, we were back on the road bound for Pittsfield. 

Friday night we checked into the Trailside Lodge, where we were sharing a 5 bedroom “Lodge” with friends.  

Trailside Inn

While the innkeepers seemed nice, and the main lodge was beautiful, our lodging arrangement was really disappointing.  The lodge was a mix between some updated features (new sinks, newer kitchen) with a mix of older run down features (ancient tiny showers, dated linens) but the worst part was that the place just wasn’t kept clean and no one really seemed to care about it.  Dead moths were crusted onto the wall where someone had killed them, but had not bothered to remove them from the wall.  Half of the windows were missing screens and without AC, opening the windows was essential.  The lodge was constantly filled with bugs.  The grounds were also in disarray as the pool was absolutely filthy and we saw by the 20+ dead frogs that it had not been cleaned in a very long time.  At $625 a night for the group for the lodge, we were just sadly disappointed in the lack of upkeep at the Trailside. 

Main Lodge at Trailside Inn

One of the bedrooms in the lodge 

Entrance to the Lodge 

Posing outside the main lodge

If you are looking for a nice place to stay, The Aimee Farm although pricier, had some gorgeous lodging options.   I stopped to visit friends staying here, and we joined them for a cocktail and warm fresh baked cookies on their gorgeous deck overlooking the farm.  The rooms were updated and exquisite, and you could tell the innkeeper here really cared about their property.  

Aimee Lodge

Welcome Agenda 

The agenda was a Friday bonfire, a Saturday hike, wedding, after party, and a Sunday brunch. Saturday's hike was a gorgeous hike to Deer Leap Overlook  before wedding activities. Although the schedule was packed, we still had time to stop at the brewery in Brattleboro, and take many trips to the Pittsfield Vermont's Original General Store.  The town of Pittsfield is quite small so your dining options are pretty limited.  The convenience store was typical of your Vermont country store in the fact that it had an awesome local beer selection, a ton of real maple syrup, and some great food right out of the kitchen.

When it was time for the wedding, we jumped on the shuttle and arrived at the stunning Riverside Farm. 

Riverside Farm

"Riverside Farm in Pittsfield, Vermont has everything you need to create an elegant Vermont Wedding, including six beautifully restore barns and over 700 acres nestled at the edge of the Green Mountains. Riverside Farm is the country’s most exclusive wedding venue only serving 15 weddings a year with several venues to choose from for your Vermont Wedding."

Cocktail Hour 

Riverside Farm

Riverside Farm was such a beautiful space to celebrate with friends and family, with several barns and cottages on this beautiful landscaped farm, I could see why they chose this spot to say I Do.  The welcome bonfire was in the first red barn, where we were greeted with drinks, a fire, and a variety of smore options (coconut or maple marshmallows, andes and chocolates, various graham crackers).  The next day, the wedding ceremony was out on the law, and cocktail hour under a beautiful tent on the lawn.  The wedding reception moved into the stunning brown barn, with a deck overlooking the property.  The morning brunch was back in the first barn, and we also stopped to see the adorable grooms cottage at the edge of the trails.  

Riverside Farm

Riverside Farm

Riverside Farm

This was a gorgeous wedding in a beautiful spot I had never been to.  While I have been to Killington in the winter to ski, Vermont in late summer early fall was all the charm you could imagine.  This Vermont countryside made me so happy to call New England home, and was the perfect backdrop to celebrate a beautiful couple with friends and family.  We had such an amazing weekend in Vermont I was so sad to see it end. 

Riverside Farm

Grooms cabin at Riverside Farm

Trails at Riverside Farm

Sunday at around noon we packed up, said our good byes and headed back down I-91 to head home.  With the weather cool and raining, we made a pitstop at “Smokin Bowls” off the Okemo exit for some hot soup and fresh tea.  At 8$ a “bowl” the soup is highly expensive, but really (really) good.  Clam chowder and chili and we were on the road again.    

Smokin Bowls 

Deer Leap Overlook, Killington Vermont

With some free time in Vermont before a wedding, I really wanted to find a hike with beautiful views of Vermont.  After talking to some Killington locals, we decided on the Deer Leap Overlook. 

Deer Leap Overlook is a hike to a rock face offering 180 degree views of Pico Peak, ski trails and the Vermont countryside. This trail is actually a small offshoot of the famous Appalachian Trail.  This is a great short hike if you are in the Killington area.  While Killington ski resort offered a variety of hikes, many were longer than our schedule or required a $25 gondola ride one way to meet time constraints.  The innkeeper at Trailside suggested Deer Leap Overlook as a great 1.5 to 2-hour option with gorgeous views.  I highly recommend this hike if you find yourself leaf-peeping in Vermont fall. 

Distance:  About 2.5 miles out and back

Elevation:  520'

Time:  1.5-2 hours

Trailhead: The trail starts on the east side of the Inn at Long Trail on the north side of Route 4. There is limited parking on the north side but ample parking on the south side of Route 4, however, be very careful crossing the highway at that point.

Skill:  Easy to moderate, large boulders and rocks on the trail that make the terrain more challenging.

Dog-friendly:  Yes!

Kid-friendly:  Yes, as long as they don't mind the boulder terrain.

Keep an eye out for the hiker sign! The trailhead is right by the Irish Pub 

The trail is well marked all the way to the overlook

Deer Leap is an offshoot of the Appalachian Trail 

Trail to the overlook

Vista point, 180 degrees of Vermont from Deer Leap Overlook

This was the perfect way to spend a gorgeous Vermont morning.  A lovely short hike that works up a quick sweat, offering gorgeous views of Vermont down below.  Ski trails, tiny towns, and leaves that were starting to change.  So much charm in this little state. 

 Friday we are talking about Killington and beautiful Pittsfield Vermont.  See you Friday!