It all started with a whim. A welcome start to a new beginning. We love to travel and drive and some of the best experiences we’ve come across have been unplanned. This one started with a ferry ride while the setting sun still slightly illuminated the night sky.
A night ferry ride is absolutely breathtaking. Being on the water with a vast expanse you know is there but cannot see is liberating and possibly a bit unnerving at the same time. It is an experience worth having if it is the type of travel you are into taking. Plus, another bonus is bypassing the always unwanted, ever present, traffic stress and time loss. Nobody should have to experience that. Hey, maybe self driving cars will fix that one. But that’s another story.
The first stop and place stayed for the night was NYLO Providence Warwick. It is a modern hotel that was built in a remodeled textile mill. It originally opened in 2008 but after floods in 2010 that caused damage to the first floor it was closed for a year and remodeled with a reopening in 2011. It has a simple, yet chic vibe and an open air balcony on the back along the Pawtuxet River anyone can relax and enjoy a meal or read a book. And as modern is our style, the glass and light colors along with concrete walls and floors were a perfect fit.After sleeping in the next morning, we got a light breakfast of egg on a croissant with bacon and headed out. We knew we wanted to do a walk but were not sure where that would take place. We like driving and wanted to see a few states, so in the end we made the first jaunt of the day be Boston, MA. Being frugal, we were looking for free parking and were fortunate that on the weekends, the area around the monument for the Battle of Bunker Hill is free. And we found the last spot!
We walked up the stairs toward the monument from the side noting New Hampshire. It is about three flights and from there you can walk around in the grass or go through the base of the monument and head up the steps. We read there might be a need for a free ticket but when we asked the park staff we were told go right up.
And so we did.We started off at a quick pace before realizing how truly out of shape we were. We blamed having to keep stopping on the family of three in front of us, but to be fair, we needed those breaks on the way up. It took about five to seven minutes to make our way up the 294 narrow, spiraling stairs. There is almost no place to stop and everyone must suck it all in when trying to pass those on their descent.
Reaching the top, we were welcomed by four beautiful windows through which one can view most of Boston. (Also waiting at the top were fellow climbers attempting to catch their breath on the little bench space available there). It truly is magnificent being able to observe the city from that perspective. Almost bird’s eye really. You can view houses, businesses, the town, harbor, bridge, streets, and more. One can only imagine what it must have been like back in the day with wooden ships and horse carriages and much less congestion. We soaked all that in for a few minutes while catching our breaths and before we headed back down.
Once down at the bottom again, street a few stops and sucking it in, we took a quick walk around the base of the structure, looked straight up and marveled at yet another crazy perspective (it looked almost like a stone path leading to the sky). It always amazes us at how things were built in the past. Seems as though so much more time and care was taken.
A few more pictures later and we were on our way down the steps opposite the ones we took up, passed the Massachusetts gates and following the famous red brick of the freedom trail. A trail that would take us passed streets, a park, through neighborhoods, a crazy intersection, to the port and cobble paths. History still present among the ever growing and ever changing present.
The stop we decided on along the trail was where a small reenactment was happening between the British and the colonials. Passing that we came to where the port meet the harbor and we were able to see the USS Constitution. A beautiful wooden ship painted black with the tall masts and even cabin cannons sticking slightly out of the hull. It truly gives one am idea of what times were like back then and the craftsmanship that must have went into creating these formidable weapons of the past. Not the most comfortable we’re sure, but served their purpose.
An important thing to remember is that everyone is required to pass through a security and screening checkpoint so everyone will need a form of photo ID such as a license or passport. To be safe, don’t bring anything with you that you wouldn’t be able to take on a plane and you should be fine.
Continuing on down the dock, we passed park police headquarters and an old crane that was likely used to repair ships or load and unload items onto the ships.
Making our way to the end of the dock, we were met by a beautiful view of the harbor and city coastline. And looking left was decommissioned battle destroyer. For this attraction, you do not need to go through security, only walk up some stairs and across a metal mobile boardwalk to be greeted by a gentleman who will warn you to enjoy the ship, the first deck is open, and to be careful.
Stepping onto the ship was an interesting feeling. A very grippy deck but altogether not so different from any other boat one would step foot onto any other day. That being until you get to walk by things like the galley where food was prepared or the sick bay or even crazier, the repair room where that team was expected to be able to fix everything from the few spare pieces in that room.
The other items to take note of are the huge cannon in the front and the 40mm machine guns on the sides and back. A formidable ship of the time. These types of ships are what fought against Japan in the Pacific during WWII and it was interesting to see things like the typewriter and old time radios and batteries of the communications area.
One thing to be careful of when walking around the ship is to watch your head and step. Besides the million metal rods and handles and more sticking out from all possible places, the walls and ceilings and doorways are both low. Likely to keep water out, where the doors close, the oval is small at both the top and the bottom. Going through from one side to the other forces one to be careful, slow, and/or an acrobat. That or you will whack your head and stub your toe all at the same time. It’s all very hard and sharp so do not do that :).
One of the last things we noticed before leaving the ship want even on the ship, but rather next to it on the next dock. Over there one can see the remnants of railroad ties and tracks that were likely used to bring cargo from land to the ships. They have been left to time and the elements with them now rusty and falling into the water as the wooden pile on underneath fall away from daily abuse from water and storms.
That concluded the walk to the docks and we had the short walk back along the brick line freedom trail back to the monument to reconvene and decide our next move in direction based on spontaneous map scrolling.
At at this point it was already two o’clock in the afternoon and we weren’t sure how far we wanted to go because we wanted to make sure we got back to do a walk we had read about in the evening. However, we did want to hit as many states as we could and so we decided to head North on 95 again about an hour away to New Hampshire. We were thinking about being able to hit a park or a river but as the day was going on and we knew it was getting late we decided to just hit up a store and little park a few miles inside the border.
Thankfully there wasn’t too much traffic and so we were able to make good time. Seeing as there isn’t sales tax on most items we decided that we wanted to go there and buy something. The way point we decided on was a retail store at which we bought clothes just on principle.
After the quick stop at the store we were hungry and decided to have a healthy meal (fast food) and then eat with a view. We found a little cove that was apparently on the Massachusetts and New Hampshire border. It was a quaint little spot that had some local fishing boats, a beautiful view of the countryside, and perfect weather. It was a fulfilling sensation that came from all of this spontaneous adventure and that cove gave us time to swim in that emotion.
Now, before we had turned into the store earlier, there was a road work sign noting that Maine was sixteen miles away. I thought I had read it incorrectly, not believing it could be that close. After eating, still sitting in the cove parking lot, we once again scrolled through the maps to see that indeed it was a simple continuation up the highway. Part of us yearned to be able to add another state border to the list and claim we traveled to four states in one day. However, knowing we wanted to get back for an evening walk, we took a look at what the travel would be like if we attempted Maine. Sixteen miles sounded simple and quick but due to some reason, likely traffic and speed limits, the trip was going to take over an hour each direction. As it was already three o’clock in the afternoon, we reluctantly decided against it and started our journey back through Massachusetts to Rhode Island and our cliff walk.
Cliff walk
The cliff walk was a little over three mile walk along the ocean we had read about before traveling. To start, there really isn’t any free parking but it’s relatively inexpensive at $1.25 an hour if you can find one of the limited designated spots along the road. We found a spot on a street about a third of a mile from the beginning. We paid for two hours and began our trek.
The trail started as a paved sidewalk that allowed you to enjoy the deep blue waters into the expanse. We walked in front of the University there and, even more impressive, elaborate old style mansions with extensive lawns and pools, tennis courts, and a perfectly placed glass and wooden enclosed gazebo overlooking the water. These mansions lined most of the path and as we walked, sections went from paved concrete to everyone having to walk on the boulders themselves. It was a great time, but please remember proper footwear as those with flip flops and sandals risk getting hurt if they slip.
Parts of the walk even had us walking through what resembled a storm drain tunnel. It was exciting and despite it being low tide and having to tolerate that unique decaying smell, there were tons of people walking, climbing rocks, and stepping in the water.
By the time we made it close to the end, we had went through about half of our parking time and decided we better turn around to avoid it lapsing and to give us a little time to stop to enjoy and take photos if desired.
The last thing we wanted to see before leaving was right at the end of the street where we had parked. It is called the forty steps. Each step has a name and the view from there was once again stunning as it overlooked both the water and, to either side, the cliff walk. Some visitors had decided to walk off the step landing onto the rocks, but after seeing a few slip and slide on rocks and almost into the crashing water surf, voted against it. We headed back to the car and prepared for our trip to the hotel, more fast food, and a relaxing drink and movie. A fantastic way to take in the magnitude of the days feats.
The following morning we took in the amenities of the modern style room we so enjoyed before walking downstairs to have a peaceful moment on the deck. The flowing river is mesmerizing.
Then it was time to head back to the ferry and back to reality as they say.
We were a bit early and a few miles from the ferry we stopped and did a quick walk through the town Mystic River. If you don’t mind a fee and have more time, there is a museum and colonial era reconstructed town to explore.
We hope you enjoyed and are inspired to have your own mini adventure.
-Chris & Ola