Providence, Rhode Island was the location for the Blue Knights, North East Conference (NEC) fall conference. Chapters from Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Eastern Ontario, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and Rhode Island comprise the NEC. The route to and from Rhode Island was more difficult than normal as a result of many road closures in Vermont and New Hampshire due to a recent hurricane through the area.
We departed Ottawa on Thursday, September 8, 2011 with 3 bikes and 5 riders, one other bike left the next day and met us there. The weather was great for the whole trip. The first day we crossed into the US at Cornwall into NY State, to Vermont via back roads. We passed through Smugglers Notch and then to the resort town of Stowe, VT.
Smugglers Notch
Just south of Stowe is Waterbury, VT the original home of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream. We prepared for this stop by bringing spoons from home.
This is where the spoons came in handy. Rather than buy a cone, we each bought a pint to eat on the spot.
We proceeded further through the back roads of Vermount, into New Hampshire and stayed overnight in Ashland. The hotel clerk recommended a restaurant called the Common Man. We travelled about a half mile to the small downtown area and found the Common Man with its rustic ambience. We enjoyed the meal.
On Friday morning we travelled to The Radisson Hotel in Warwick, Rhode Island which is a suburb of Providence. The hotel contained a University which specialized in hospitality and cuisine. Needless to say, the food was vey good. Many of the students were foreign.
After settling in, we took a ride to the sailing capital of America, Newport, RI. This historic city is host to America's Cup sailing event and was the summer playground for the wealthest of Americans during 1850 to 1940. Some of their "cottages" would cost over a billion dollars to build in todays dollars.
We returned to the hotel to socialize with our fellow Blue Knights, purchase BK merchandise, 50/50 tickets and tickets for a Chinese auction. A meal was enjoyed followed by live music and refreshments.
Paul H arrived after a one day ride and was officiclly inducted into Ontario II on transfer from Newfoundland I.
The next morning we enjoyed a breakfast followed by a business meeting. The afternoon included an escorted ride to scenic Jamestown Island to Narragansett Bay and the historic Beavertail Lighthouse on the southern tip of Conanicut Island which was built in 1749.
Narragansett area
These must be a special breed in RI since I saw goats with the same color combo.
Beavertail Lighthouse
Saturday happened to be September 11th, the 10th anniversary of the attack on America. The evening banquet began with an emotional video of the 9/11attack. Another excellent meal was enjoyed followed by live music and refreshments.
Sunday morning began with a buffet breakfast. Paul departed early for his one day ride to Ottawa. The rest of us took a backroads ride through north west Massachusetts and north into Vermont with an overnigt stay in the Burlington area.
It would appear we took a wrong turn, however the village of Florida is located in north west Massachusetts.
On Monday, we continued our ride to Ottawa. The trip was 1927 K and we stayed dry and retuned safe.
