July 31-Aug 1, Newport, RI

Fog again this morning in the harbor at Block Island. We decide we will stay put. About 10:30 the fog begins to burn off and we motor around Block Island looking at the sights and then head north to Newport.


Very pretty day on the water. No wind and flat calm. We get "buzzed" several times by the Coast Guard looking for something. Very quiet Jet plane.



We arrive in Newport about 1:30 and pick up a mooring in the busy Newport Harbor.





We go into town on the launch and head for the "Breakers", the large Vanderbilt home, built in 1895 by Cornelius Vanderbilt's grandson, Cornelius Vanderbilt II. "Commodore" Vanderbilt (the grandfather) was founder of the New York Central RR. The home is very large even for Newport standards and is approximately 130,000 square feet with 70 rooms. The home faces southeast and is right on the Long Island Sound with a beautiful view and cool sea breeze. Newport is a very active town with lots of shops, restaurants, tourist attractions and tourists.



Second day we tour another mansion, "The Elms", home of Edward J. Berwind, who was the largest coal supplier of his time.





We went shopping along Newport's main streets (hot today in Newport almost 90) and after lunch found a lobster wholesale supplier at the wharf. he had lots of lobsters of all sizes and sold to individuals and restaurants. Prices were interesting: 1-2 lb@$11.00/lb; 2-3 lb@ $12.00/lb; 4-7 lb@$9.00/lb and 8 lb and up @$7.00/lb. We found a 10 pound specimen and had them cook it for us as we did not have a pot that large and brought it back to the boat for dinner.