Welcome to Newport, RI

It’s been almost two months since I got to Newport, RI. Aside from some sporatic social media updates, I haven’t been in touch to much. Mostly because of finding my feet here. There’s a lot to do, many good people, and as always – busy.

Working in an industry that is seasonally driven, and my position moves me to High Season destinations, finding the time for “me” can be hard. On days off I do a little bit to “fill my cup”, but I still find myself seeking to do more. Lingering in thoughts of wanting to cook more, write more, etc. One voice in my head says, “The time will come,” while the other voice in my head takes me back to my bike trip saying, “Now is the the right time.”

At the end of the day, I have learned to do your best.

So….”Welcome to Newport”

What is here?
Sailing! – Sailing is a very popular activity, and culture here. Newport was the only North American stop in the 2018 Volvo Races – a sailing race that races all around the world for a series of months!
Mansions – Many old mansions still remain from the industrial revolution time, which the Vanderbilt family claimed large parts of Aquidneck Island. Newport became the place to go for anybody that was anybody. I kind of picture it like being the Great Gatsby, but with a town. Seeing a mansion in real life – well actually seeing a whole street of mansions in real life is unbelievable
Small-town history – Since the first bridge to get on and off of Aquidneck Island wasn’t finished until the 1960s, There are over a hundred years of history locally-focused on the island.
Seafood – Clams, scallops, oysters, lobsters. Some good fish too! All of the seafood. Its almost abnormal to have a meal here without having seafood in some part of your experience. The oysters are large! The clams are meaty!
No Plastic – This is more recent part of Newport, but I definitely think it is mention-able because it is actively present in the lifestyle here on the island. Since the beginning of the year NO PLASTIC BAGS are given out. All stores give out paper bags. There is current discussion of forbidding plastic straws, and the movement toward this is already being adopted by many restaurants, cafes, and bars with either using paper straws or not giving straws out at all.

Who lives here?
First moving here I had this idea of the rich and the famous living here. But the truth is, Newport is a town! PEOPLE live here. For some that might not be exciting, but I have met inventors, artists, travelers, and people in their fields that have succeeding in creating their life. Yes, there is definitely a higher average annual income here, yes many famous people and pop celebrities have homes here, yes I’ve seen Jay Leno walk the streets, but more influential to my experience was eating dinner with the once head of sales for Apple, and sharing a beer with a world traveling sailor that has 3 kids at home.

What keeps me busy here?

Biking. There is great biking here in Newport. First, the island is a circle, so you can’t get too lost! Second, the speed limit is very slow, so it’s mostly very safe to ride your bike. Biking is very popular here, so many people have good routes and suggestions for getting around.Yoga. I have mostly been practicing yoga from home. There is a large Power Yoga community here, and some other studios too. Unfortunately, my schedule doesn’t line up with many of the classes, so I have been enjoying audio yoga from my teacher in Minneapolis, Justyn O’Neill.
Cooking. I have found cooking and baking to be therapeutic for me. It is relaxing, takes times, and I enjoy creating something with a product. I have been focusing on making things with what is left in the pantry because, for me, “pantry cooking” is a fun, creative puzzle.

My most recent Pantry Cooking experiment also captured the culture of Newport with my Pineapple Breakfast cake. Click here for the recipe. Pineapples are token of hospitality in Newport. The story goes that sailors would sail away for long periods of time, and they would bring back a pineapple from the tropical areas. The seamen would place a pineapple outside their home to indicate they were home safe. Now a pineapple is given as a welcome.

With summer in full swing, I wish everyone a happy Fourth of July.