Discovering Southern Rhode Island Day 1
South Kingstown RI Saturday Farmers Market – teaching a new generation.
It’s Saturday, and I’m using my post-retirement time to get to know my new summer home in Southern Rhode Island. I moved to Matunuck Beach last summer but was bogged down with renovating, unpacking, sorting and donating excess stuff. My new digs are considerably smaller than the old, so downsizing and simplifying were obligatory! In any case, there wasn’t much time for exploring, so I have some catching up to do this summer.
I’m loving Southern Rhode Island and feel like I’ve discovered a new planet. Living many years in Massachusetts I never ventured south past Providence, now I know what I missed. There is a farmers market every day of the week. There are music and theater, art festivals and galleries, restaurants, beaches, conservation areas for walking and hiking, ferries to neighboring islands and coastal towns (Block, Martha’s, Jamestown, Newport) lighthouse tours, sunset cruises. I’m only scratching the surface at this point. I’m starting to fill my calendar with fun stuff while being sure to save time for walking and reading on the beach! Today I’m discovering the local farmers market in South Kingstown RI.
This young baker had such an amazing smile. I couldn’t resist buying her homemade granola.
This man works for Gustare. They buy oils and vinegar from all over the world and bottle them locally. I ended up with a Fig Balsamic Vinegar and Basil Olive Oil.
Fully Rooted is a Rhode Island-based juice company. I chose an echinacea based juice this morning because, alas, I’m getting a cold – sigh. Didn’t have one all winter but here I am trying to fight one off.
I never realized how pretty mushrooms can be! These are locally grown right here in Kingstown at RI Mushrooms. They grow most but forage for others.
You can’t get any fresher than seafood from a coastal town. Oysters, clams, scallops, yum!
Unfortunately, I won’t be planting any herbs or veggies this summer. I have a resident groundhog that I seem to be feeding. He really likes my perennials!
Its early in the season so some vendors aren’t here. There were lots of people and families shopping though. It’s encouraging to see how popular Farmer’s Markets have become.
The entertainment. Actually, he was quite good and added a festive mood to the market.
I would have loved to bring home some of these plants but the groundhog likes pretty flowers too!
Shopping and errands are done, now its time for a walk on the beach. Beach roses line the path so as you walk toward the beach you smell roses and salt air and hear the surf. Ahhhhh, doesn’t get any better.
The ocean water is still cold. Well, to be honest, it never gets warm enough for this wimp to actually swim. I was spoiled by the warm Caribbean water after all those years working for St Barth Properties. I do love to walk the beach and get my feet wet though.
Beach rose
I have the summer to explore and find my Rhode Island soul. Stay tuned.
Lovely, Kath! Re gardening…I have ground squirrels here too…I love my fresh greens so I bought a folding table and put pots on the table. Ground squirrels don’t climb:)
So enjoyed this post! Looks like you have chosen the perfect spot!