A Walk In Rocky Point on Narragansett Bay, Warwick, Rhode Island

As of this writing, April 14, 2020, you can still visit state parks in Rhode Island if you walk or bicycle to them. Of course, you want to keep your distance from anyone you might walk past and wearing a face mask may now be required for any public outing (though I was not and am fairly sure the 3 or 4 other people I passed were not - they’re dogs certainly were not). It is important to get outside. Soak up the natural sounds, visuals, sensations against skin, smells. Remind yourself the world is larger than your house in a more active way than what any news program can provide.

A couple extra points:

• The quahog (pronounced, “co-hog”) boat is a common sight on the bay. My understanding is that these boats are typically one-person operations and I doubt they could be much more crew given the size of the vessels.
• The arch in the video was one of 11 arches sponsored by General Foods during the 1963-64 WOrld’s Fair which took place in New York CIty. The original arches had electronic message boards but by the time the arch came to Rocky Point that feature had been lost.
• I think I heard Northern Cardinals, European Starlings, Morning Doves, Song Sparrows. No doubt numerous other species made their presence known through their songs.

I hope you enjoy the video.

Life in Rhode Island During COVID-19 Pandemic

I came here just over a week ago. I probably should have come earlier though it would not have chnaged anything as far as how I and my parents are living. I am,, like everyone, trying to make the best of things. I am lucky I can spend time with family and not be alone. I am lucky that everyone is healthy and, with good hygene and care and luck, that will remain true. But during this time of impose isolation we can still be pleassantly surprised by the world. This morning as the sun tried to squeeze through the clouds we started to ntice flakes of white falling on to the front deck. Those flakes were snow. They’re not that visible on the front deck gazing out towards Narragansett Bay but turn around and peer across the backyard and voila: snow!

I am also fortunate that I can take nice walks in the neighborhood and not worry that I will run into people. The sun peeked out briefly but by the time I went for this short walk past some lovely floweirng forsythia and magnolia clouds had taken over and with the modest breeze constantly blowing it felt cooler than it probably was.