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Block
Island – Memorable
Vacations Are Made of This
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by: Cliff
Calderwood
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Block
Island is a seaside jewel
lying 12 miles off the
southern coast of Rhode
Island. This is a place where
nature clings to every pond,
stone-walled trail, beach, and
everything in between. It’s
a paradise for cyclists and a
haven for those ready to leave
the trappings and demands of
the mainland behind.
Most people take the ferry
from Port Judith which takes
one hour and plants you in the
hub of Block Island at Old
Harbor. A Seasonal ferry
service also runs from Newport
RI and Montauk NY.
Coming to the Island is a
shift in time, with its rugged
undeveloped reserves… and
open field farmlands… and
narrow roads lined with stone
walls and wild roses. Block
Islands invites you to relax
in dress and time. It’s a
chance for you to rediscover
nature again.
Here’s suggested
destinations to help you enjoy
Block Island to its fullest…
THE VIEW FROM MOHEGAN
BLUFFS…
You don’t want to miss the
view from Mohegan Bluffs. Take
the Mohegan Trail from the
village of Old Harbor out to
the Bluffs.
Mohegan Bluffs overlook the
southern coast of Block
Island, and on a clear day you
can see Montauk, NY on Long
Island, about 18 miles away.
The cliff’s tower 200 feet
above the shoreline and offer
stunning views of the
landscape and the Southeast
Light. A steep set of wooden
steeps leads down to the beach
below.
THE BLOCK ISLAND LIGHTHOUSES
Block Island has two
lighthouses: Southeast Light
and North Light.
Southeast Light sits atop
Mohegan Bluffs and was moved
back from a perilous position
on the cliffs in 1993. This is
an attractive redbrick
lighthouse built in 1875, and
contains a museum inside for
you to explore.
North Light is at Sandy Point
on the northern tip pf Block
Island. This is the fourth
lighthouse in this location
and was built in 1867. Two of
the previous lights were
washed away and the third was
dismantled because its
position did more harm than
good.
North Light is within the
boundaries of the Block Island
National Wildlife Refuge, and
that’s where we were heading
anyway…
BLOCK ISLAND NATIONAL WILDLIFE
REFUGE
Located on the North End of
Block Island the refuge is now
a 127-acre habitat for
wildlife and for visitors to
enjoy the wonder of this
natural environment.
If you’re a bird-watcher
then the fall season offers a
spectacular opportunity to
view migratory birds,
especially songbirds. Bring
your camera and binoculars for
a very special trip to a very
special refuge.
The shoreline area runs from
Settler’s Rock to Sandy
point and the North Light, and
then from here to Great Salt
Pond. This is an ideal area
for walking, bird watching,
and breathtaking views.
BLOCK ISLAND BEACHES &
PONDS
Block Island beaches are the
first stop for many first time
visitors. The choices are many
and varied. It has 17 pristine
miles of gorgeous beaches.
The two-mile Crescent Beach
area consists of four beaches:
Frederick J. Benson Beach,
Scotch Beach, Mansion Beach,
and close to the ferry landing
is Ballard’s. These tend to
be the most popular, but
don’t forget just a few
minutes bike ride away are
deserted beaches, where you
can enjoy your own spot of
peace and harmony.
For such a tiny area, Block
Island boasts an amazing 365
ponds – that’s right…
one for every day of the year.
So as you bike and hike around
the island, it doesn’t
matter where you’re at…
you’re only a few feet away
from water.
Permits are required to fish
the freshwater ponds.
Other things to do on Block
Island include: visits to
Manisses Animal Petting Zoo,
Settler’s Rock, located at
the end of Corn Neck Road near
a beach on Rhode Island Sound
- the rock marks the landing
point of European settlers of
Block Island in 1661, and
kayaking in New Harbor.
While Block Island is a great
place to visit for the day,
you’ll get more time to
enjoy the island if you stay
overnight, or even longer, at
any of the varied lodging
available. But advanced
booking is a must.
Inns and bed and breakfasts
abound on the island, with
many located near the village
of Old Harbor and nearby New
Harbor. For more information
on inns and bed and breakfast
accommodation check out
www.blockisland.com.
About the Author
Cliff Calderwood is the
owner and contributing writer
of
www.new-england-vacations-guide.com
. You can read more about Block
Island and get a free
travel report at his New
England Vacation Guide
site.
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-
Great Gifts
from Japan -
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Japanese
Puzzle
Box
- Our
puzzle
boxes
are
each
individually
handcrafted
in the
city
of
Hakone,
Japan
and
imported
by us
directly
from
the
artists
offering
the
best
quality
and
pricing
available.
The
skills
have
been
passed
down
through
the
generations
since
the
Edo
Period. |
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Japanese
Sake
Sets
-
The
finest
traditional
glazes
are
used
to
create
these
sake
sets
that
are as
much
art as
they
are
functional.
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Japanese
Sushi
Sets
-
Add an
Asian
flare
to you
next
dinner
of
Sushi
or
Chinese
food.
These
complete
sets
include
everything
you
need.
Plates,
Sauce
Dishes,
and
Chopsticks.
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Woodblock
Prints
- We
offer
a wide
selection
of
genuine
Japanese
Woodblock
Prints
created
by the
Fukui
Asajido
Company
in
Kyoto
Japan
using
the
old
world
techniques.
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