Off to Rhode Island

Hey Everybody,

The last stop before heading to Rhode Island was the Groton, CT Submarine Museum - home to the USS Nautilus, the first nuclear powered sub. I have to say that touring that gigantic (320ft long) sub is a bit surreal. There are 5 sections opened for the self-guided audio tour, but the views of the control rooms are the most impressive.

Here are a couple other sub pics...

The USS X-1: the first "midget" submarine was designed to penetrate enemy harbors and conduct offensive operations.

The USS George Washington: the first ballistic missile submarine.

The strangest thing I saw at the Sub Museum was this sign in the women's bathroom:

Having survived the women's restroom, I head north for Jamestown, Rhode Island to visit the site of the the 3rd oldest lighthouse in the country, Beavertail (est. 1749). It's also a state park and there are lots of rocks to climb along the coast - reminded me a little of CA, but nearly as stunning.

This is the bridge to Newport ($4)....much more pleasing view than the NY bridge I paid $12 to cross. Anyway, my purpose in Newport was to walk the Cliff Walk and to tour The Breakers Mansion (1895). This mansion is considered the "crown jewel" of the Newport Mansions. The Cliff Walk is a bit overrated in my opinion...even though it's designated a National Recreation Trail and the largest tourist attraction in the state - even beating out the America's Cup boats! What it started as was a rocky path made by American Indians, then servants of the Bellevue mansions.

Cliff Walk isn't bad, after all it's a walk along the coast. There are sections of the path where the stones are loose and the path is slick in wet weather. However, I found the view of homes to be very limited. In fact, I found the driving and walking around Bellevue Avenue and Ocean Drive far more interesting.

There are no photos permitted in the mansion(s). There are no postcards for the interior of The Breakers Mansion. There are probably images in a few books... It is exquisite! There is nothing about the 70-room Breakers Mansion (the Vanderbilt's summer estate) that is gaudy, seriously. And the marble is gorgeous!! The interior is decorated with alabaster, decorative gold, platinum leaf wall panels, and paintings. It is breathtaking - more than once I caught myself simply lost in the room (NOT lost in the house). If there is a structure on the planet as beautiful inside I hope I get to see it someday. I read someplace that everyone should see this mansion before they die...I agree.

This one is Ochre Court and was built for Ogden Goelet (a real estate mogul of his time) in the 1890s. It now serves as administrative offices for Salve Regina University. It was gifted by the family to the Sisters of Mercy, who established the school.

This is the Marble House (1892) - another Vanderbilt home. It is said that the 500,000 cubic feet of marble served as the ultimate statement of Gilded Age privilege. I find it more interesting that is was the ultimate stage for Mrs. Alva Vanderbilt's competition with Mrs. Astor as a society hostess. Later, Mrs. V hosted "Votes for Women" rallies on the back lawn.

That's all for tonight....more soon. Thanks for stopping by!