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Block Island winter Islands I - A TDM Series

I am drawn to remote places. Places most people wouldn't think to go. The farthest south. The farthest north. The edges at the east and west.

I like to go when no one else would, because only then can you really see these places for what they are in their raw state.

All of which leads me to this series of stories from the islands of southern New England in the middle of winter.

Block Island, Rhode Island

Block Island, off the coast of Narragansett, is a summer get away for thousands of families from all over, but mostly those who are within driving distance to the Rhode Island shore.

Every hour, a car ferry shuttles back and forth all year long. There's a fast ferry too that does the same trip in about half the time.

About 1,000 people live and work on the island in winter. I visited in mid-January. The first day I was there the temperature reached 50F. The second day, I had to leave early, as a gale warning threatened the 4 o'clock boat.

New Shoreham, Block Island

The main part of New Shoreham, the center of town, is located opposite the ferry dock.

Here you find the familiar architecture of a New England beach town. The gift shops, the old hotels, the bike, kayak, and surf board rentals.

Driving away from town, you discover the landscape that makes Block Island unique, dotted with shingle style cottages, some grand homes, and some experiments in modern design.

The wind farm.
The North Lighthouse

Hiking trails carve through grasslands, along the beaches, and above and below the cliffs. Two primary lighthouses have their own history. To the southeast, five wind turbines spin slowly three miles off shore sending power to the mainland and back again.

Salty cottages.

I wonder why the first settlers would put down here? As beautiful as it is, living on the mainland would be a lot easier. It's easier even today.

It must be the love. It must be the peace. It must be the knowledge that you are as far away as you need to be to escape the chaos of the mainland. If you choose to live here full time, you commit to simplicity and simplicity obliges.

UL and Bottom: The North Lighthouse. UR: The South East Light.

Block Island is swarmed in the summer by cottage owners, boaters, fishing parties, and day tripping beach-goers.

It is an island that makes a living off of its hospitality, but in January visitors are greeted with curiosity. What are you doing here? It is the unspoken question behind all the friendly, but helpful smiles.

"Am I the only guest in your hotel tonight?"

"Yes," answers the desk man sent to baby sit me for the evening, as he laughs off the question.

But I am here for the same reason he's here. I am here for the same reason the first landing party decided to stay. There is safety on an island, no matter the time of year.

Next month: Martha's Vineyard.

For more stories visit ThisDecisiveMoment.com

© Dean Pagani 2022

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© Dean Pagani 2022

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