The More Things Change

Father’s Day came up suddenly, or so it seemed. When I asked Al last week what he’d like to do, he mentioned a play at a local academy and dinner out. That seemed like a fine plan, as neither of our daughters was in town. But as we took a long walk on Saturday afternoon, I had another idea. “What about Block Island?” This small island off the Rhode Island coast has been a favorite of ours for years and the site of many family vacations when our daughters were young. The weather forecast was good. And so, we went.

The day was picture perfect, and the island a peaceful oasis. As soon as we got on the Point Judith ferry, we both began to relax. Young kids and their watchful dads scurried up and down the deck, so much like our own girls decades ago. And as the familiar New Shoreham waterfront, with its vintage shingled hotels and stores, came into view, I could only smile. Arriving is always like stepping into simpler times and fond memories.

Not everything was the same. We discovered that one of the iconic century-plus-old hotels, the Harborside Inn, had burned down last summer, replaced for now by bicycle rentals. Plans are in the works to rebuild it with a replica that meets new building codes. This is one of the things I love about Block Island—you won’t find McDonald’s or Starbucks here.

We also learned that ferry service had been canceled for several days last September due to high winds and rough seas, stranding some visitors until the boats were able to sail once more. This we heard from one of the dads we’d seen on the ferry, whom we met again as he played with his toddler on the beach. We empathized and shared our own Block Island adventure—our first visit, when our eldest was only three, coincided with Hurricane Bob in August 1991. The eye of the storm passed right over the island, and we spent the day huddled with many others at the only school there. Definitely a memorable trip. It was also memorable because it was the week that I realized I was pregnant with our younger daughter.

So, Block Island holds a fond place in our hearts. We ate at our favorite restaurants, relaxed on the beach, and took a long walk up the shore. We read. Al swam, twice. I sketched. The surf’s sound soothed. No sea glass, this time. But Al had a great Father’s Day, and so did I. Here are some pics from our day. Enjoy!

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.