I live in the Ocean State..the State of Rhode Island. Don't let the name fool you…it is not an Island. There are islands that are within the state, but the majority of the state is very much attached to the mainland of the US. It's the smallest state in the union and you are able to drive across it in about an hour. It is home to one of the best vacation spots in the world, Newport (voted on by some survey and some magazine somewhere), where you can see million dollar boats only to be bested by multi-million dollar mansions. JFK was married there and it is a playground for the rich and famous from time to time. And it is home to my favorite restaurant…Chelos..but only the waterfront one in East Greenwich.





Facts about RI:





I live in a state where when it is above 70 degrees in the spring, everyone heads to the beach.

The streets here are not labeled. People from RI navigate with landmarks..whether that landmark is still there or not..ie a store or a tree.

They have a unique language: bubbla – drinking fountain, cabinet – milkshake, carriage – grocery cart. I am sure there are others.

The most popular person in the state to Rhode Islanders is the former mayor who just got out of jail for corruption. They freaking love him here to the point where he has his own radio show.

Apparently if you are waiting in line to make a left hand turn at an intersection and you are the first car in that line, you have the right away over the oncoming traffic that is going straight..that must be it because every time I get cut off I beep the horn and yell 'what the f(#* are you doing?" they look at me like I am the crazy one.

The mob lives here. You could drive down Atwells Ave on Federal Hill in Providence on any given night and swear that they are filming a scene from the Sopranos.

Wieners…they love their wieners here in RI. They aren't hot dogs..I was corrected the first time I actually said that. They call them "NY System" and throw a specific wiener sauce and onions on them. I grew up in NY and I don't recall hot dogs made like that. They are good here though…4 'all the way' for me please.

Being a new reformed beach guy..I love that I can be at a beach in very little time or effort. There is just something about the sound of the waves hitting the beach or the smell as you get out of the car..even at low tide.

I have also picked up a new habit living here in the Ocean State….surf casting. Very different from the fresh water fishing I am use to but more fun especially when you have a striper on the line.




All in all, 'the fact of the matter is' RI is like every other state..the good the bad and the strange..I cant really explain it….so just forwgettabotit!