Pages

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Block Island morning

Waking up on Block Island is like being in Eden. As the sun comes up on Champlin's marina, you can hear the small Aldo's bakery dingy zooming around in the Great Salt Pond between the moored boats. The driver will be bringing cakes, sweets and coffee to tardy mariners who are still trying to catch some sleep. He'll zoom around the boats calling, "Alzi! Alzi!" which means,"Get up! Get up!" Once in awhile, you'll see a head pop up out of a cabin and the driver will be flagged down for a delicious croissant or biscuit.

We have stayed at the marina many times and my favorite thing is to steal away from my sleeping family very early in the morning, grab an edition of the Block Island Times, and sit and listen to the Aldo's driver and the birds scurrying by.
The sunlight playing off the water is almost mystical...
Soon my reverie will be broken by my 7 yr old daughter who, bathing suit on and bucket and shovel in hand, will be heading for this small dock in the shallow end of the Great Salt Pond. Crabs are aplenty here and she'll set up what will become a day-long adventure of picking up the small crustaceans, keeping them in the bucket, naming them, and telling me their life stories.

"Mom, this one is friendly. This one hasn't been as nice. Do you think these two are sisters?"


Finally, my husband will wake up suggesting a bike ride. Now a bike ride on Block Island is not for the faint of heart. The island is all hills. Champlin's sits on top of the largest on the island. Getting down is a breeze but getting up...my older two will watch the Crab Catcher while we take a short ride (yikes!) to town.
Here on Water Street we'll grab a quick breakfast at Ballard's, one of the main Inns on the island with the best beach. We'll watch the car ferries come in from RI and grab eggs and toast on the beach.
Then it's back to the marina (ah! My legs!!) where we'll spend the day lounging waterside.


We'll see the boats coming in and out. Some years we've met friends there who are docked for the day before heading off to Martha's Vineyard. Me? I'm not rushing. I'll just relax, watch my children catch crabs and snorkel, and enjoy the gorgeous nature before me. Glad you came along!



16 comments:

Deb said...

Block Island looks absolutely gorgeous Tara. Gorgeous pics. Sounds like you are having a wonderful time.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I love those misty morning photos of the boats. It all sounds so relaxing and peaceful. Do you go to Matha's Vineyard too? I visited once, and loved it.

I have another meme...want to play some tag? You're it!!

List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now, shaping your Summer. Post these instructions in your blog along with your 7 songs. Then tag 7 other people to see what they’re listening to.

I know you are going on vacation, so you might want to do this after you come back...or not at all...your choice Tara! Maybe you're bringing your I-Pod with you?

Hugs, Pat

oliver rain said...

Sounds heavenly. Perfect way to spend a holiday. And guess what, you won one of the dishtowels. Are you a coffee or tea drinker? Send me your address so I can ship this off to you!

oliver rain said...

Oops, forgot to leave my email address...oliverrain@gmail.com.

Unknown said...

Sounds like you are having a wonderful time! Enjoy your vacation!

annie

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Ohhhh Tara! I feel relaxed just looking at your photos and hearing you talk of such lazy lovely mornings. What a wonderful place to be, just be, for a little while. Thanks for taking us with you!
Hugs, Sherry

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

I dont' know why on earthy you'd want to go anywhere else on vacation with that beauty right in your back yard!

A staycation around here certainly doesn't stack up.

Mary said...

Heavenly!
xoxo,
Mary

Anonymous said...

I have been on so many lovely vacations this summer thanks to all my blogging friends and it didn't cost a thing. What a treat! Loved yours....it was so relaxing by the water. ~Smiles~ Lynn

Nora Lee said...

What a wonderful staycation! I haven't every heard of Block Island, but it looks like a great place to relax. I love the floating bake goods coming by every morning. That would be worth me getting up early for!

Roses and Lilacs said...

What wonderful photos. I hadn't heard of Block Island.

Lots of sailboats. When I lived in Coos Bay on the west coast, there were hardly any sailboats.
Marnie

Siobhan said...

WOW Tara, now that beautiful! Enjoy!

Siobhan xo

Mary said...

I was going to say "heavenly" but that one is already taken.

How about "pure bliss"?

Thanks for taking us along.

{oc cottage} said...

It sounds just amazing! Lucky you!!


M ^..^

Unknown said...

I kept saying I miss the sea..then my husband reminded me..hey we live near the sea, near the port to be exact. The problem is it's not fun here and the beach is not clean..well, ports arent the nicest place to picnic, some boats but not a nice view like yours for sure.

Happy weekend Tara :) ..I know where you'll be..on the hammock :D hugs always

Donna said...

I wish I was there! Just beautiful!
Donna