Power Mill Ledges

The Audubon Society of RI Headquarters are in Smithfield, RI. At the site, there is a wonderful set of hiking trails that we recently tried out. There are maps of the trails available at the trail header, but you have to go behind it to find the maps in a plastic holder. Luckily there was an employee there to lead a van tour that we could ask. Right now, because of budget cuts, the building isn't staffed on the weekends, which is a shame because I imagine most of the families wanting to walk trails come on the weekends. She said that they were hoping that they would be able to be open on the weekends soon.

Sophia was in the backpack. If you don't have a frame backpack for hiking, I would recommend one. I have used mine MANY times over the years and find it comfortable and easy to use. I use one I bought at EMS years ago. Ours is a Kelty brand backpack and I can put it on and off with Sophie in it without help, although it is easier with help. Sophie is two and although she could have walked, we wouldn't have been able to go nearly as far as we wanted to.

There are three trails, orange (pretty short loop around the field  near the trail head), blue (a longer loop that goes up onto the ledges, and yellow (which you can't begin until you have hiked halfway around the blue). We did the orange and blue that day. The orange trail is very easy, although in some places the bushes had overgrown a bit, but nothing dangerous (like poison ivy).  The orange trail is also sided with wooden markers so that you don't go off the trail. There are only slight hills. This trail is only about a mile long. The blue trail shoots off of the orange and takes you up onto the "ledges". The trail is wide and sun peaks in between the tall tall trees- lots of pine, spruce and hardwoods. The floor is often softened with pine needles. I pointed out to Ben and Sophie the names of the trees based on their barks- birch, maple, spruce, and others. We looked at all kinds of mushrooms and low lying plants like ferns and sassafrass. Sophia pointed out the markers on the trees easily- keeping us on the trails.  There are even benches in great places to stop and rest (which I needed with Sophie on my back).

We walked about 3 miles, I think, which took about an hour and half. At the end, we rested under a tree. We only saw two other sets of hikers the whole time. And despite the fact that you can see route 44 in places, the woods were quiet and peaceful. It was a wonderful way to spend part of the afternoon.

Bring water and snacks... there are no facilities (like bathrooms) on the weekends. Although, driving out of the parking lot, there are all of the shops and restauants along rt 44 and rt 5.  There were no bugs like mosquitos when we went, but I still put bugspray on the kids. It is shady enough that you really don't need suntan lotion- perhaps the face only.

Sand Hill Cove Beach

This week we went to a local beach, Roger Wheeler or Sand Hill Cove with the kids. On Tuesday night we went late- entering the beach around 5pm. In RI, after 5pm, the beaches are free to get onto. The only problem is that the lifeguards go off duty at 6pm, and the pavilion closes (so no showers or bathrooms). Sand Hill Cove is a great beach for kids. I returned with friends on Wednesday for the afternoon. It's $6 for residents of RI ($7 on weekends) per car.
There is a large breakwater at this beach- giant rock walls that prevent the big waves from reaching the shore. This is to protect the harbor (fishing boats and the Block Island Ferry are docked here) and Pt Judith Pond. You can also go to the Salty Brine State Beach in Gallilee. It is also protected by the breakwater. It's a much smaller beach that you access from the Gallilee Escape Road off Rt 108.

At both these beaches, the waves are smallish and the water doesn't get deep until you are way out past the groynes. I remember going to Sand Hill Cove beach as a child and not being afraid of the waves.

If you are someone who brings a cart to the beach to carry all your gear, you will need to park either at the far left or to the right of the center of the Pavilion, as these are the only places where there is a ramp. The other entrances are by stairs. Unless you plan to sit far away from the water (and if you have small children, you'll want to be down in front), you should get a beach cart so you can carry your gear down to the water.

Prices at the Pavilion are not too expensive: a hotdog cost in the $2 range, a doughboy $3 (but it's a big one). There are drinks (sodas, coffee, water) and candy. Some ice cream is available. They also have frozen lemonade (their own brand, I gather, not Dells or others found commonly around). The bathrooms are icky, but I have yet to find a public beach where they aren't- wear flip flops or some type of shoes. You have to pay 25 cents for 3 minutes of water and a place to change inside. Otherwise there is a free public outdoor shower with cold water (the water inside, I was informed, is not heated either).

We always have a great time when we go. Bring sand toys- this beach is great for digging and making sandcastles (the waves don't destroy them like at other beaches). There were older kids looking for creatures in the rocks, but don't climb on them- the lifeguards have to keep you off of them.

If you want more waves, try  East Matunuk or Misquamicut State Beaches.

Finding Chowder and Clamcakes

As this is the first post for this blog about where to find fun things to do with kids in Rhode Island, it is appropriate that I begin with a Rhode Island treat- Chowder and Clamcakes. And let me begin by saying that by writing this blog, I am by no means an expert on what to do with children in my state, but I am merely attempting to describe the fun things that I find to do with them so that you might also be able to find fun things to do.

This weekend was hot and humid, so my mother and I decided to take the kids for a ride to a friend of hers house in Jamestown, RI. We spent the afternoon relaxing (well, sort of, since I have a two year old girl, I spent most of the afternoon chasing after her) while the kids played in the backyard and picked up shells on the beach. 

But as we left, we decided that we needed to stop and get Chowder and Clamcakes. Now, you would think that it would be easy to find such a place in our state- especially since we were in South County, but no... sadly, although we drove north through Wickford, and East Greenwich, we did not find the proverbial "clamshack". We found very nice restaurants, some of them with seafood, but no place to pull up to, let the kids out and walk up to a window to get our food. 

However, as we drove out of East Greenwich and towards Apponaug on Route 1, we found ourselves at Chelos on Greenwich Bay.

What a wonderful place to visit! We got our clamcakes and chowder (which were pretty good), and the kids were able to run around outside, dance to a live band (I think they were called "Tribeca") playing 70s music (we arrived to the band singing a Barry White song), and relax. We were lucky in that we ran into our cousins who were celebrating a birthday (it is Rhode Island, afterall, and you always run into someone you know everywhere!). And so, I want to stress that this Chelos is a great place to bring your kids, have dinner, and relax. 

Anyone who wants to add places that we missed on our travels that would have granted us our wish for clamcakes and chowder, please feel free to comment.