Al and I didn’t have any plans for July 4th. The weather was chilly and rainy on Saturday, and more of the same was predicted for Sunday. But we lucked out. Sunday was still overcast, but no rain predicted. So, on a whim, we set out for Newport, R.I., for the afternoon. I hadn’t done the Cliff Walk along all the famous seaside mansions in many years, and Al suggested we also visit the Green Animals Topiary Garden, which I’d never seen.
The topiary and flowers were stunning, and their scent, so sweet and relaxing. Even as my feet were really tired by the end of the Cliff Walk, the views were well worth the trek. By late afternoon, the sun came out. We finished off the day with a delicious Italian dinner, not far, we discovered, from St. Mary’s Parish, where John and Jacqueline Kennedy were married in 1953.
Wherever we went, we heard and saw people from many different countries and backgrounds, the wonderful, rich mix of cultures that makes America truly great. As we drove home, fireworks bloomed on the horizon. A perfect Independence Day.
Profound thanks to all who have worked so hard to get us through the pandemic, so we can feel safe going out again. Vaccines work. Happy Summer. Enjoy the view . . .
Evelyn Herwitz blogs weekly about living fully with chronic disease, the inside of baseballs, turtles and frogs, J.S. Bach, the meaning of life and whatever else she happens to be thinking about at livingwithscleroderma.com. Please view Privacy Policy here.
Loved all the photos, and glad to know about the topiary garden–we love them–enjoyed one near Baltimore called the Ledew gardens with an interesting story about the man whose labor of love they were.