MA to RI to CT I go

I had been planning this trip to Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut for about 8-10 months by the time I went. However, a few days before I took off, I made some adjustments. I was talking with a co-worker and decided to take a detour to drop them off in Boston. It worked out well because I wasn't alone for the car ride out which is always long and boring. After dropping them off I stayed overnight in Boston. I spent part of the first day the next day there trying to explore downtown. It's a good thing that I have already been to Boston a few times because the parking was such that finding anywhere in the city to stop for a reasonable price for said parking was impossible. I ended up stopping at a little park outside the city.   

Once I left Boston I headed down to Newport Rhode Island. I have never been here before, but I really wanted to explore some of the houses and walk along the cliff walk to see the ocean. I spent the afternoon walking up and down the cliff edge. There was also a cool tunnel that I explored that had barbed wire over the entrance. The mansions along the walkway are large, impressive, and beautiful. It was a photographers paradise taking pictures. Later in the afternoon I did a little more driving. I had a late lunch at a beachside restaurant then finished my little Newport drive. I stopped at a rock beach by the ocean and spent time putting my feet in the water and just listening and watching the water. It started to rain after that, so I decided to cut my time in Newport a little shorter. I drove through the rain to my next stop in Connecticut. 

I stayed in Groton Connecticut, just outside of Mystic. The next day was beautiful. I started my morning off with a swim in the ocean. I was lucky enough to see a giant horseshoe crab in the water where I was swimming. After my swim I headed back to the hotel for a quick shower and change before taking off for Gillett Castle State Park. I absolutely loved exploring this castle. It was very neat, with stonework that reminded me of some of the castles I saw in Germany. The castle also overlooked a lake and had a small pond on the other side. There were many very pretty hiking trails to walk along at the park as well. My favorite part of the day was when a little girl came up to me and said to her mother that I looked like a princess. That made my day and my entire trip. 

After visiting the castle, I drove back to Mystic. Here I found a shack that served lunch on the water and ordered something for lunch. It was very relaxing. I love to eat by the water's edge. I spent the later part of the afternoon exploring the aquarium in Mystic. It had really good reviews online. However, I think that I like the aquarium in Boston better. After the aquarium I went back to the hotel. The afternoon had been hot, and the evening was still warm, so I decided to put on my bathing suit and headed back to another beach. This time I went for a shorter swim but enjoyed the private beach I snuck onto. 

Yesterday I went back to Boston to pick up my colleague. On the way back we took a detour so I could see The Holy Land USA. It is a very bizarre place. Very cool too. The drive back was quick and quiet. This trip was not what I had planned because I had adjusted my schedule around and next time, I would like to add more things into the trip. I certainly want to spend more time in Newport.