Sunday, April 29

Marble House

The Breakers

At 7:00 am the NW winds were as light as they were going to be - we made the quick 30 mile crossing to Newport in choppy seas.  Once we reached the leeward shore things started to calm down.  We were excited to be entering Newport by water.  Magnificent homes line the shore and we anticipated equally magnificent sailing vessels in the harbor.  The former lived up to our expectations, the later was a big disappointment.  It seems we are a month early and the yachting crowd is no where to be found.
It was cool and sunny, a perfect day to explore the city on our bicycles. 
We headed for the historic district surrounding Bellevue Avenue.  We enjoyed the views along the Cliff Walk, a two mile walking path that has panoramic views of the ocean on one side  and opulent homes and gardens on the other.  Touring 5 mansions was too much for Charlie who opted for  a circumnavigation of the Historic District and the south of Newport by bike.  Sometimes it is best to go our own ways......... I'm a good tourist, Charlie is not.
There is Rich and then there is Newport Rich.  This was never so evident than during The Gilded Age.  Many great summer "cottages" were built during this era and today remain as fascinating monuments to a lost way of life.  The Vanderbilt families did it best, Marble House and The Breakers are lavish to the extreme.
Bellevue Avenue is about three miles in length and is lined with many historic homes.  We were surprised how many of these large properties are still privately owned and occupied.  Maybe the

Cliff Walk

Gilded Age is making a comeback after all.