Westerly Without a Paddle

 

Spent a few days in Westerly, Rhode Island this past week.  Due to the nature of the trip I was without my boat and paddle. Entered Rhode Island from the west where just before crossing the Pawcatuck River I came upon the above pictured mural in the village of Pawcatuck (Stonington, CT).  Unlike me, the pictured Native American canoeist has his boat and paddle.

On the Rhode Island side of the river is this historic sign noting this spot being the westerly boundary of Rhode Island since 1663... 

A little further to the south is the village of Watch Hill where in Village Park there's a statue of the eastern Niantic Sachem, Ninigret, holding two tautog (blackfish) while looking out upon the bay...

The statue was sculpted by Enid Yandell in 1914.

Within walking distance of the sculpture is the more-than-a-mile long barrier spit, Napatree Point...

...jutting into the sea and thus protecting the mouth of the Pawcatuck River and Little Narragansett Bay.

It's significance is explained in two kiosks:

A Mylar Balloon collection station...

Past Napatree Point was the Watch Hill Lighthouse enveloped in fog on this early morning...

Walking closer got a clearer view...

A seaside restaurant across from Misquamicut Beach took care to avoid the use of plastic utensils...

...the beach saw advancing and retreating fog...

...along with light southerly winds off the ocean making this corner of Rhode Island a great place to escape the oppressive heat of late.

Once back home I did get in an early morning "beat the heat" outing on the Assabet River...

...where this year's eaglet pair appeared to be on the outs with one another ...

Only a minimal amount of trash encountered...