Writes of Passage

Truxton, NY

Tinker Falls

The water fall is a little disappointing: just some water drops falling down. But the lush trees make up for it. As we are driving up here, a heavy rain befalls on us. So the blue sky is our silver lining.

Direction: Take I-81 to Exit 14 and proceed east on Rt-11 through Tully. Make a right onto Rt-91 heading south.You will pass Labrador Pond on your right. Tinker Falls will be shortly after on your left.

Flushing, in the Queens boro of New York City was once, a ghost town, as late as 1970s, now a prosperous Chinatown.

At the corner of Union Street and Westminster St (door is on Westminster) in Providence is this cute shop, by an equally colorful shop owner/staff, who protests that a still photo is too boring.

In Providence,  RI.

There is a stone, dedicated to the navigator from Italy:

Who in 1524 crossed the perilous northern ocean first to behold the coast of the future United States cast anchor in this bay explore its islands, one of which because of its shape. He christened Rhodes name later extended to the entire state of Rhode Island. Donated by Carrara, the marble city. And by Greve in Chianti where Verrazzano was born. In pledge of ever growing friendship between the American and the Italian peopels.

The park is on the Providence River. The obelisk base has a few quotations; the black status is In tribute to Rhode Island Korean War veterans, even Korean War barely register with the general populace.

217 Westminster St
Providence, RI 02903

This DownCity restaurant is a fusion that’s below the par. The taste in general is too sweet and the Bulgogi, both beef and pork are way too chewy. The only refreshing dish is the marinaded cucumber. The high ceiling is nice. Service is so so.

A 17-year old darling from my home town Beijing needs a ride from JFK to the camp at Rhond Island School of Design. So I get a chance to revisit Rhode Island. The last time was 1993 and we stayed at Newport (wiki), which is 30 miles south of the state capital – Providence.

The flight from Beijing CA989 touches down at JFK at 10:18 (scheduled 10:40am at purchasing. The night before at departure, it changed to 10:13 and 10:20am the following day), and the kid came out at 11:08am – yes, I was bit late.

Providence River

Photo above: the small white steeple to the left is the First Baptist Church in America below. The middle obelisk is in the Memorial Park and the building to the right is the Providence county courthouse – I think. Revisit in Aug

  
The First Baptist Church in America.

Roger Williams founding this city in 1636, which is one of the oldest in US. Smithsonian magazine states that St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest, established in 1585. Wiki has a longer list of the oldest.

My first impression is: pretty, small and neat. We walked from Waterman Street @ RISD, passing Main St, to Canal Walk, along the Providence River. A dedication to Giovanni Da Verrazzano.

me and a seagull

There are a few high end restaurants near the water, DownCity (RI 02903):

• Capriccio (2 Pine St.)
• Pot au Feu (44 Custom House St.)
• Circe Restaurant & Bar (50 Weybosset St.)

We ended up having dinner at Teriyaki & Korean House in the vacant downtown after visiting a  mast and costume shop. The lady host said kids are left for the summer – it’s a college town. Brown is next to RISD. This shop owner entertained us.

Providence on wiki (forum on hiking); an interesting read on Providence’s Black Chinese: A Love Story.

TripAdvisor: school; RISD; The top 10 Nature & Parks:

1. Roger Williams Park Zoo
2. Roger Williams Park
3. Swan Point Cemetery
4. Water Place Park and Riverwalk
5. Providence River ->> my photos
6. Prospect Terrace
7. Roger Williams Park Botanical Center
8. Waterfront Park
9. Memorial Park ->> and my pictures
10. Lippett Memorial Park

In north shore Long Island’s Manhasset (wiki). This stretch of Northern Blvd has many brand name shops, Americana, and Lord Taylor that is still expending. Prior, the parking is pretty tight. Not sure what’s now. The name Miracle Mile is from Billy Joel’s song “It’s Still Rock and Roll To Me”