Block Island-Part 1

We had been told by so many people that Block Island was a "must see" destination and they weren't wrong.  This is a lovely spot not too far from any place in the Long Island or Block Islands Sounds.  From New York to Massachusetts, boaters and ferries can reach the island.  As usual, the island has had many and varied functions over the centuries.  It started off as a purchase by a group who wanted to settle and farm the rich lands.  With no natural harbor, the first owners had to swim and float all their supplies over from the ships anchored offshore.  They also had to get their livestock over the same way.  Over the years, a small harbor was built by using jetties and tourism became a major industry since the climate is generally nicer in the summer than anywhere on the adjacent mainland.  Later, a gap was opened into the Great Salt Pond from the sound on the other side of the island.  This dramatically increased boating traffic as there was now room for many boats to come visit. We spent nearly a week here and managed to see most of the island.  We were in time to go to a free Blues on the Beach concert and meet up with our Swedish friends Susan and Lars.  Sadly, we just missed a few other folks but we'll meet somewhere else I'm sure.  That is the cruising life!

Most of the Great Salt Pond is moorings owned by marinas and private
individuals.  There is a smaller area designated for anchoring.  Since it's free
to anchor, that fits our pocketbook and we can spend more ashore.

The town does provide a nice dinghy dock, also free.

This is the Old Harbor.  A much smaller spot but since most of the commercial
ferry services dock here, most of the towns shops are close to this point.  It's
about a 2 mile walk to this section from the free dinghy dock.

I loved all the houses with their varied architecture.  Most of the shingles
siding the old houses probably came from the Dismal Swamp.

One of the inns on the island.

I'm not sure if this was a private home or an inn.  I'm thinking private home
since we couldn't see any signage.

The lighthouse at the north end of the island.

An old church now private residence.  It is for sale and the ad
includes the phrase "With impressive remodel in 1980"  I don't really
see how a remodel now almost 40 years old is a selling point, no matter
how impressive it was.

We went to a hotel for cooling drinks and  this was the town
vista from the lawn.

The lighthouse at the south end of the island.  A much more substantial
structure in the process of being repaired.  Views from the hill are
in a future post.

A good bit of the island is managed by the Nature Conservancy.  This park
was a the top of the hill.  We weren't sure the purpose of the turnstile as there
was not counting device attached but we found them at other conservancy trails
so it must be their thing.

As a teaching aid, they have free classes where kids pick up
debris from the beaches and make stepping stones from the junk.
This was one of the more interesting collections turned stepping stone.

Part of the stone path.

This was veteran's park with monuments to all those who fought in
wars over the centuries.

Rocks a huge part of the landscape. This was just one example of
a rock structure.