BENJAMIN'S AND THE CLIFF WALK.

All of the house tours at Newport close at 5:00 pm. A kind lady at the Marble House gift shop told us about Benjamin's. Yes, a tourist restaurant but also loved by the locals as well  . Parking with the "Big Red Truck" is always a challenge but we found a pay lot and confirmed with another local that Benjamin's would not disappoint although he was going to Busker's for some Guinness.

Guinness, or alcohol in general isn't normally on our new "post heart attack" lifestyle but the Margarita's at Benjamin's really called out to us. And they were delicious. It had already been a long day and we'd missed lunch so we kinda overdid the food ordering. Carol ordered a salad, fish tacos off the appetizer menu and lobster bisque. I ordered a combo plate with Cajun shrimp skewers and Pork Belly. The fish tacos appetizer would have made a large entree. Carol thoroughly enjoyed the fish and mango salsa without touching the tortillas. She also loved her bisque. Don't know what there's not to love. Minimum herbs, fresh lobster, cream, butter. My was also wonderful. We stuffed ourselves and took half of my shrimp and pork belly and Carol's entire salad back to the Airstream.

We needed to walk at least a few of the calories off and Newport offers the perfect place.

"Cliff Walk".

The rich folks tried to extend their property rights to the water and prevent common folks from walking along the cliffs. Local fishermen protested, went to court and won access. It is now a designated National Recreation Trail. A fence keeps people from walking onto private property at The Breakers. But at least the owners allow a wonderful view of their cottage. Most of the others have high hedges or clumps of brambles to hide their homes.

After the drive back to the RV Park, we called it a day. But we'll be back tomorrow.

CHATEAU SUR MER

I am posting in the order in which we saw the cottages, not in the order in which they were built. The first two were built by two Vanderbilt brothers in the late 1800's and defined the Gilded Age. But this one, "house by the sea" preceded them by several decades.  It was built in 1852 and remodeled by the son of the original owner in the 1870's. It set the bar for opulence and beauty until the Vanderbilts came along.

 The Entrance Hall.

 Details of inlaid flooring - most of which they cover up with rugs.

The Music Room. In 1857 a party was held - for over 2000 guests.

Dining Room.

Details UNDER the stairs.

The side and back view.

That ended out first day of touring houses at Newport and totally changed our plans for the next two days. But the day is still young.