Kayaking Euphoria

I already miss my favorite summer pastime, taking ocean kayak rides with my Dad. In South County alone, there are endless options when choosing a kayaking route to take!

My favorite route starts out with breakfast at Jim’s Dock in East Matunuck, what a place! From the outside tables on the back dock, you can see across the water to The Port of Galilee in Narragansett where the Block Island Ferry, fishing boats and George’s Restaurant are located. After a delicious, leisurely breakfast we unload our 15-foot ocean kayaks and kayaking gear (paddles, life jackets, kayak seats, waterproof bag) onto the small beach at the State Pier, which is next to Jim’s Dock. We load all of the gear onto our kayaks and drag them to the edge of the sand, right into the water, and hop in.

The surge of excitement I feel from my first paddle makes the tiresome task of loading and unloading the 55 pound kayaks entirely worth it! Once out in the harbor, we head south toward the open ocean. Curious boaters wave at us, the crazy people in the kayaks, as they rip past us in their larger, faster boats. The feeling of vulnerability always washes over me as I see the massive Block Island Ferry heading toward us, or even as it passes us. Its wake causes our kayaks to violently bob up and down. The trek out of the harbor can be quite tedious and sometimes perilous, depending on whether the current is coming in or heading out toward the ocean. Once, I paddled for 20 minutes as hard and fast as I could with all the energy I could muster and could not pass the man standing on the rocks across from me!

Once out into the open ocean we can see the pavilion at Sand Hill Cove Beach and Point Judith Lighthouse to the east. We head west, passing East Matunuck State Beach on our right, both of us excited about our next destination. We continue on at a steady pace, enjoying the sun and spectacular views, purposely pointing our kayaks head on into the waves to avoid being capsized. We kayak by some surfers taking advantage of the rip tides off Matunuck Beach. Finally, we see our destination, the Ocean Mist Beach Bar, one of my favorite watering holes! On any given hot summer day, there are crowds of people on the deck of the Ocean Mist enjoying the views, breezes and their chosen libation. Now comes the most difficult part of our trip, making a graceful entrance onto the beach while being watched by many people. When heading onto shore, the most important thing to remember is to keep your kayak perpendicular to the shoreline. If you head in willy-nilly, you are almost sure to get bowled over by the waves and strong rip tides. Trust me, it is quite embarrassing to land on a crowded beach, pinned under your kayak with your face in the sand, bathing suit top and sunglasses MIA.


Once on shore, we throw on our tops and shorts. We grab money and cell phones from the waterproof bag and head onto the deck of the Ocean Mist. Each of us enjoy a well deserved Bloody Mary (these are world famous!!) from their Tiki Bar and play a few tunes on the jukebox. That is the life! Now comes the second hardest part of our trip, getting motivated to head back to our starting point. Sometimes if we have enough energy we’ll kayak past Jim’s Dock to Belle Vue Yachting Center Marina to visit our friends Penny and Bob on their boat, the Leading Lady. There is something about being out on the ocean on a gorgeous summer day that makes me glad to be alive! Only six more months until we can dust off the kayaks and head out again!

My friend, Paul

Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going?

I don't know what more I could add to this sentiment, also the title of this beautiful painting. I find it comforting that a man who lived from 1848 - 1903 had the same questions that we do today.

Circumstances of life have definitely changed. But whenever I find myself about to become unglued, I remind myself not to sweat the small stuff, and basically, except for a couple of very specific tragedies, it is all small stuff.

As a side note, Paul Gauguin thought this painting his masterpiece and he resolved to commit suicide at its completion. Fortunately, he was unable to accomplish his own demise. Life is really too good to pass up! Enjoy yours. Paul went on to live another 7 years after this painting was completed.

Have another beautiful day in Paradise!

A South County State of Mind

A funny thing happens to you when you move to South County, Rhode Island. It doesn't happen overnight. You can't see it coming, but it invariably strikes almost all residents of this idyllic portion of our state. Once we get here we have a hard time leaving. When I say leave I don't refer to moving away, this is purely about leaving South County for any reason at any time. I grew up in Providence and hear about all the great things that have been happening there with the renaissance of the City, etc. However, when push comes to shove, I am not interested in getting in my car and driving past the "Hannah Robinson Tower". The "Tower", which is located at the intersection of Route 138 and Route 1 has always served as the unofficial line which separates South County from the rest of the world. Everyone says that once they pass the "Tower" they can feel the cool ocean breezes. The "Tower" was originally constructed in 1938 and has glorious views from the top of Old Tower Hill but has always been tied to the sad story of Hannah Robinson due to its proximity to the old Robinson Farm.

We in South County find it hard to pass that "Tower" at any time. I find myself making a list of items to buy at the larger big box stores of Warwick and other places and making the 20 to 25 minute trip about 3 times per year and hating it every time I do it. Although there is great dining North of the "Tower" I am still very happy enjoying the great dining here in South County and when I feel I need something different I will go East to Newport as to avoid going North of the "Tower". For those of you who live elsewhere this all sounds crazy but my fellow Quahogs out there know what I am talking about. Come and spend some time, you will see what I mean!