One of Paul's favorite cyclocross races is there, and last year (scroll to the bottom) was a great time so we decided to go again. We booked hotels, I had Monday off of work and then...
Paul crashed on a training ride and separated his shoulder. :(
Since we were already committed on hotel rooms we decided to make a nice mini-vacation out of it!
The cross races are held in Roger Williams Park (and when I put it in the GPS I put in Rodger with a D and Paul thought I was nuts.) Anyway, this park is the best, and last year I wanted to go on the swan boats SO bad. Well, this year the swan boat dock was empty. But then! I see this magical sight and we realized they were not gone after all! They were just being towed over to their dock for the beginning of the day.
We will get back to those swans in a moment, but first we had some bike racing to watch. It really is the neatest venue and I felt sad for Paul that he couldn't race it.
So many great people to observe. I hope Paul's hair and heard are that glorious in 50 years.
Paul was the nicest and helped out his teammates in the pit.
Like Jerry! Who won this particular race, and who I almost made crash on this decent from the flyover because I was taking pictures. Sorry Jerry!
One of the most exciting parts of going to Providence was that the Pro racers were there! All our favorite dudes! I even caught them filming Behind the Barriers (and if you look close - we were actually in this episode! If you want to know about cyclocross racing and the best racers in the U.S., watch)!
Jerry for the win!
And now... for the best park.
My swan boat ride time had come! I was so happy.
Paul stole my camera and took the picture below because he couldn't believe the sheer joy that was happening on my face.
When swan boat time was done - I just was dying of dehydration or something because I just wanted to lay down on the grass and sleep. Luckily this little baby was running a food truck and had the most delicious chocolate smoothie that I loved.
And I was revived just in time for the pro race! Powers! Trebon!
Then we said goodbye to the best park for the night.
That evening we went to downtown Providence for the last Waterfire "show" of the season.
Creepy man with the long ponytail spinning fireballs around his head was the only entertainment for a long while. I think the rain delayed the lighting of all the fires and let's just say Paul showed so much patience while we waited and waited. At least the creepy music kept things a little bit entertaining!
Once things got going it really was a magical scene.
Back at the hotel room I caught Paul using three screens at once. iPhone, Kindle Fire and TV. Information overload!
The next day we cheered on Jerry and other friends.
And I had some nice quiet moments on the bench, watching that swan and listening to General Conference.
That night we drove to Newport, and the next morning we went to see The Breakers - a summer mansion built by the Vanderbilt family during the "gilded age". It was so fancy. The outside is beautiful and the inside was so elaborate and over the top. I was using all my will power to not take pictures inside as to obey the rules. It was difficult, but I really think you should take a peek at the inside here and virtually live our dream of having Christmas there.
After seeing all the fanciness, Paul and I decided we would rather live in the carriage house.
After the Breakers we walked along the Cliff Walk to another mansion to tour. We choose to check out Marble House. The Cliff Walk was just a dream.
I thought my family would enjoy this sign, as it is a good reminder for me.
My accidental detours lead to the prettiest little tree-covered paths! #brightsides
Hey Marble House!
Again, once we walked through those fancy doors no more photos were allowed, dang it.
But how about the tea house they built in the backyard??
Back to the cliff walk and Paul eventually had to take away the camera so we would walk a little faster.
If we go back, we are renting one of these guys.
And thank you to Paul for letting me run down to the harbor to see those boats.
On the drive home we kept passing on these little pumpkin patches that were just so perfectly Fall. Finally I begged Paul to stop and somehow it worked! We picked out some pumpkins, went into the store to pay and found out that they were not connected with the Garden and that no one was there that we could buy the cutest pumpkins from. Oh well, Fall dream partially fulfilled!
And then, Paul's fall dream came true with a Pumpkin Pie blizzard. Thanks DQ!
We loved our Rhode Island weekend and hope it continues to be a yearly tradition.
1 comment:
Such beautiful pictures! I loved the caution sign as well ;)
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