Winter Surfing in Newport
We spent the week-end in Newport, Rhode Island, a town famous for the Gatsby-esque mansions built during the gilded age of American industry. Newport is a wonderful place to visit during the Christmas season, with its dozens of restaurants, bistros, antique and nautical shops, and specialty stores. Also essential are Ocean Drive and the Cliff Walk, which runs along the ocean parallel to Bellevue Avenue, the location of most of the mansions.
We began the Cliff Walk at Forty Steps, where a granite stairway leads down to the rocky shore. From Forty Steps. you can see all the way to the point in front of The Breakers, one of the grandest of the mansions and the one nearest the ocean.
There had been an offshore storm on Friday. As we approached The Breakers, we could see and hear the surf pounding the shore. In mid-set the waves were more than six feet, and they had been discovered by the local surfer population.
Forty-five degree water temperatures do nothing to discourage the dry-suited surfers, who seldom get a chance to carve out half-minute rides on Maui-style waves, complete with tubes and curls.
I couldn't help but notice the contrast of lifestyles here at The Breakers: Behind me was the past, unimaginable opulence, a summer's day of the most genteel of gatherings on the lawn for croquet and cocktails; before me was the present, high intensity, a winter's day spent seeking thrills and challenging nature.
We began the Cliff Walk at Forty Steps, where a granite stairway leads down to the rocky shore. From Forty Steps. you can see all the way to the point in front of The Breakers, one of the grandest of the mansions and the one nearest the ocean.
There had been an offshore storm on Friday. As we approached The Breakers, we could see and hear the surf pounding the shore. In mid-set the waves were more than six feet, and they had been discovered by the local surfer population.
Forty-five degree water temperatures do nothing to discourage the dry-suited surfers, who seldom get a chance to carve out half-minute rides on Maui-style waves, complete with tubes and curls.
I couldn't help but notice the contrast of lifestyles here at The Breakers: Behind me was the past, unimaginable opulence, a summer's day of the most genteel of gatherings on the lawn for croquet and cocktails; before me was the present, high intensity, a winter's day spent seeking thrills and challenging nature.
8 comments:
Here in Oregon, the surfers have to wear their drysuits in the middle of summer. The water is always cold.
Beautiful pictures, Paul. Almost as pretty as the Oregon Coast... :)
And where is Giaaaa-daaaa?????
Great balls! Forty five degrees is effing cold!
(little known erin factoid: I love to collect shells.)
hi.
The pictures are beautiful ~ when I first loaded I thought the first one was a painting. The Breakers is legendary; if I ever get back that way I intend to make a point of seeing the estate.
You have the nicest weekends!
Trying again -- I have looked at that middle photo countless times. What a moment you captured with that wall of water.
Seems I can only post anonymously anymore since some idiot invaded my blog and did something sinister to it. Might be a good thing considering I never know what I might say in these comment sections, as you've already found out, lol.
Anyhoo, I was at Newport last Christmas. It was a 6th or 7th visit but I never tire of the cliffwalk. Last year it was closed for renovations, and it ruined the trip for me.
Glad it wasn't you daft enough to be out there in those frigid waters.
Maryanne
Wow - that is fabulous. Great pics. I'm from MA and I've never visited Newport. I think today I might really enjoy it.
I don't know if you allow links in your comments, so I'll just ask you to visit my blog, search for Newport and read the "blogging under the influence" entry.
girlyshoes.com/Girlyblog
I found you via your comments on Gigi's blog, and now you are bookmarked, and as soon as I update my blogroll, linked.
It is a pleasure to meet you.
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