Newport Exploring and Hiking

I was in a wedding in Newport, Rhode Island so Kevin and I went a little early to enjoy the extra highlights the city had to offer.....kid free!

 We arrived a little before lunch so went right down to the town on the water for good ol' seafood!

 Benjamin's was our recommendation.  I dove into fresh lobster and Rhode Island Clam Chowder (clear broth v. creamy New England)......that is, after we enjoyed clams and oysters from the raw bar.  I'm actually becoming quite of fan of these slimy suckers!  Haha!  Kevin went for a usual fish and chips, but later in the week gave into the infamous lobster roll.

Then, we went to walk the lunch off and boy did we walk!  We left Benjamin's and walk a mile up Memorial to the Cliff Walk entrance.

Then, we maneuvered our way along the coast for the 3.5 mile hike.  The first part of paved, the last 2 miles were along boulders and rocks making it even more exciting.  It also went behind many of the mansions.

 We stopped to watch the surfers along the way.

 Some were actually really good.

 Enjoying the beautiful day!

 Some of the mansions we had already walked behind are off in the distance.

 We loved the unique sound of the tide pulling back out over the foot sizes rocks.

 And seeing huge waves crash into the larger boulders out in the water.

I definitely enjoyed the rock hopping more than the paved section.  We are always up for more of an adventure!

Afterwards, we walked the 3.5 miles up Bellevue to our original starting point at Benjamin's to take a cab back to the hotel.  It felt wonderful to get in a long 8 mile walk......it had been too long since we had time to ourselves to do that!  The clock was in front on the mansions and the church was the intersection of Memorial.  Saint Mary's church is where JFK got married.