An Island Paradise? - Destination: Block Island, Rhode Island
by: John Romano
Destination: Block Island
I had always heard of Block Island's splendors. Not quite Nantucket not quite Martha's Vineyard. Rhode Island's answer to the slick getaways of its big brother Massachusetts. Presidents (and near Presidents) don't vacation on Block Island. Ask any true Rhode Islander and that's just the way they like it.
Block Island is a one hour ferry ride from New London, Conneticut or a little longer from Montauk Point, New York.
Originally occupid by the Masnisses Indians, Block Island was named for Dutch navigator Adrian Block who stumbled across it in 1641. In 1661 a party of Englishmen settled on the Island. Their struggle to subsist in reflected by the ancient stone walls and histoic cottages, farmsteads and mansard-roofed homes.
Over the years Block Island's respect for environmental protection, wildlife conservation and open space preservation has earned it the reputation of one of New England's most progressive towns. To help maintain the Island's character and environment, visitors are asked to conserve water and power duing their visit.
For the vacationer Block Island has what doesn't seem possible anymore; complete ralaxation. Those who cross the twelve miles from what Islanders call "America," shed more than their neckties and high heels; they shed schedules and agendas. They find a place where they can drift through the days without pressure...a place where getting dressed-up means getting out of a swimsuit and into shorts... where going to the post office is a big event.
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On Block Island beachgoers can enjoy long, indolent days splashing, sunning and snoozing while toddlers build sand castles; children ride their boogie boards; and people of all ages brave the surf.
Block Island is known for more then its beaches. The 7 miles long and 3.5 miles wide Island i s a conglomeration of rocks and soil stripped by a glacier from what is now sourthern New England. Its varied terrain of hills and freswater ponds is lashed by savage winter storms and cooled by gentle summer breezes. The Island's micro-climate has given it a unique community of flora and fauna; some plentiful, some rare, all precious. Block Island is a place where local have wrested a living form soil and sea for centuries and where visitors have simply taken it all in with a sigh.
Travel Information for Block Island
Lodging
Getting to
