What a wonderful week Robin and I spent together getting to know one another in person. She was a delightful guest! I just took her to the airport where she'll be getting back to her life in San Francisco. Just like when Marianne left, I miss her already.
Here I am photographing her photographing a seagull!
She was fascinated by everything here, even the ordinary.
This photo was taken at Colt State Park in Bristol.
We strolled through the gardens and arboretum at Blithewold and I discovered a pond which I had never seen before. It was fun sharing something new with her.
These koi were coy! They just wanted to stay beneath the surface although the sun was calling them.
We had a wonderful lunch here in Newport.
Most of the shops have water and treats for doggies that pass by!
16 Comments on Animal Wednesday with Robin, last added: 10/7/2011
Finding that last summer's 'escape to the north' vacation worked well to disrupt our protracted Texas summers, we repeated the venture again this year, this time visiting New England. Unfortunately, we were met by a number of less than ideal circumstances - I contracted some kind of illness almost immediately upon our arrival and Hurricane Irene was on the approach.
We spent a very long first day making up for all the hiking we didn't get to do this summer - first at Flume Gorge in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Following lunch we started hike #2 on Falling Waters Trail, intending to climb all the way to the summit of Little Haystack Mountain. We thought surely this would be no problem at all as the trail was only 3.25 miles one way. I knew it was a steep mountain just from reading about it, so I must have been deluding myself that the trail would gently meander it's way up the mountain.
I was wrong. It was 3.25 miles of up. Boulders, stairs, crossing streams here and there. It was beautiful - just what we've been missing out on in Dallas, but it was too strenuous for us out-of-shape, currently non-hiking hikers and we decided to give up after learning from several descending hikers that after about two and a half hours on the trail we still had an hour of up to go before reaching the summit. Even so, we enjoyed several gorgeous waterfalls along the way. I think this one's called "Cloudland Falls:"
Having a little bit a daylight left and suffering the disappointment that we didn't get to enjoy a view from the top, we cheated our way to the top of a different mountain by way of the aerial tram on Cannon Mountain. We had a nice view of Echo Lake from the tram:
And a nice view of a black bear too!
I thought I'd show you a part of my commute just so you know I'm still kicking.
I have always wondered how you working folks find the time to blog and still get other things done after a full week. I'm relearning, I swear. Thanks for understanding why I've been scarce.
This is the Mt. Hope bridge which I have to cross on my way to and from the market.
It's one of my favorite parts of the commute because the views from either side at the top are glorious!
This is Memorial Drive in Newport, the last road I'm on before I turn onto Bellevue where the market is. At the end of the day I come down that hill and Easton's Beach presents itself to me. There are always swimmers and surfers and sunbathers galore.
I guess it becomes a ghost town after this weekend. That means I'll be able to find parking so I can do some exploring on my own! This is one beautiful city.
And here is the beach in the golden afternoon sun. I didn't take this photo nor the one above because, as I've said there's been nowhere to park! So thank you to whoever took these shots.
Last weekend we were supposed to go to a concert, but at the last minute we decided to avoid the big crowds and join a friend to watch our very first polo match.
It was delightful!! The atmosphere was so relaxing and the horses and players were spectacular. Here are the two rival teams above.
There are 6 periods to a polo match called "chuckers." After each chucker the players change horses because playing 2 chuckers in a row is not allowed as it is too hard on the horses. They all bring their own steeds. Some bring three and play them every other chucker, and some bring 6 and use each horse only once. Imagine the loot it takes to do this! They are so good to these horses.
I was told that these animals go through rigorous training learning to turn on a dime and to not be intimidated by the slashing and swinging of the poles.
Look at what great shape they're all in!
The players are getting ready. Look at this handsome fella. The player ain't bad either!
24 Comments on Animal Wednesday: Polo in Newport, last added: 7/10/2010
You two could be sisters ... and, after a fashion, so you are.
I thought you knew each other from living in CA as you are so close. Looks like a fun time was had by all. Thanks for sharing the visit. Sure went fast. Great photos. I am back to not being able to comment on some blogs again. This time it gives me no options. Big sigh.
absolutely fabulous photo of Robin. The first one, close up. Looks like you had much good weather and times. My friend who used to live in Bristol wandered the rocks like that and came home through the years with huge VATS of gorgeous sea glass.
Got an email and the application from Betsy Green but need to phone her and explain my finances (no income for example) and see if it is worth applying. Sight unseen. thanks for the tip and viewing.
Oh how wonderful these pictures are!!!!
Fabulous one of Robin! I saved that one .
Lovely animal Wednesday post. Bet you miss her. I know the feeling of saying goodbye to friends.......:(
But she will be back, I know!
And so will I one day
HAW!
♥M
Great photos, how awesome that y'all got to visit and explore together!
lovely lovely pics!
heey wonderwoman :):):) how it was with our amezing frends in rode island like emma brain and lolo and bliss i loveee the pictures xoxo felix
Lucky you having her for an entire week.
It sounds like such a wondeful time. Great photos. And I know how quiet your house is now without her. Thanks for letting us know what you all did.
a beautiful wonderful first photo of wrobin!
what a great tribute to a great visit. isn't it something else to forge and solidify relationships that begin with words and colors and computer keys and become deep and abiding frienships?
there are more photos, yes? i even have a few myself. :^)
good friends deserve good friends. this post affirms that. yay for you, yay for wrobin!
♥
kj
what lovely photos... and the butterfly fly too, one of my favorite subjects to capture.
thanks for sharing. :)
Oh you....my *sneaky* BS!!!! I had no idea you took most of those photos!!!!! Now everyone can see me trying to photograph - well - EVERYTHING!
All that you said, I feel DOUBLE!
The most WONDERFUL week I have had in years....it's the truth!
I miss you so much..... the week flew by..... will be sharing my photos soon.
MUWAH!
Love to you, Bri, Princess (I can still hear her *motor* going...) SH (I can still hear her *purring-growl* as she sees squirrels) and...Short-y!
♥ LS ♥
what a fantastic adventure you both had. lovely photos of robin, its easy to see how happy she was.
i hope your not missing her too too much dear lo. there are so many lovely memories to now enjoy.
xxx
Such a lovely day you had! It's nice to share with friends.
How wonderful to read you've met in real life!
I love this post!!!
It is so much fun to see fellow bloggers meet up, post about each other and see the delight of meeting.
IT--LOOKS--WONDERFUL!!!!
XXOO~~
Anne