I thought about my mother a lot yesterday. One of her favorite saying was, “If your friend decided to walk off a cliff I suppose you would just follow him!?” I’m not going to get into the antics my friends and I would get into to elicit this response; that is a story for another day. I’m also not going to brag (too much) about our cliff climbing yesterday because it was as easy as possible and I have a high school classmate who won’t climb a cliff unless its ice covered or requires climbing gear (yeah, she’s pretty intimidating). The reason I was thinking about my mom is the place we were hiking yesterday had hundreds of signs posted along the trail that said, “Dangerous Cliffs, stay on paved trail to avoid injury”. So, Mom, your warnings are alive and well.
Best Part of the Day
The
“place” was the Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island that walks the shore in the
backyard of the magnificent mansions along Belleview Ave. Our resident PanaGal had
done some research of touristy places she wanted to see while she’s staying
with us and Newport was one. I’ve been to Newport literally dozens of times
(including a knee operation) but I’d never walked the Cliff Walk before. It
turned out to be very fun on a magnificent summer day. We arrived and lucked
into a parking spot near the 40 Steps starting point, which is about a half
mile from the actual starting point. The ladies felt the need to avail
themselves of the facilities and since it was height of tourist season there
was a long line for that. While they waited in line, I decided to check out the
aforementioned half mile trek to the starting point adjacent to a beach. I
couldn’t see any of the mansions in this sector as they had constructed effective
privacy shrubbery (the knights of Nih would have been duly impressed). I made
it to the end and was almost back to 40 steps when I received a very funny
phone call from the Neighborhood Mafioso. He said the girls had finished their
business and were very concerned they had lost contact/control of me. I asked
why they didn’t call me and that’s when I learned my Favorite Panamanian had
left her phone in the locked car. The PanaGal had a phone loaned to her by the
Mafioso that only had his number. The Mafioso did his part to calm the
situation by telling the ladies I had already called him and was half way home,
having given up on the trip. I was still laughing when I eventually caught up
with them.
Gang of Three in front of One of Mansions
40 Steps Starting Point 
View Across the Bay 
My Side Trip to Starting Point 
Reunited with the Ladies 
Favorite Panamanian and the Cliffs
The
walk itself was very easy for the first part as it consists of a concrete
sidewalk behind the mansions. It was also just a nice day to be hanging out
with my wife. We kept going and noticed several access roads leading back out
to Belleview Ave so we could walk back that way when we decided to turn around.
The trail got a little more challenging the further we went, including some
required clambering but, again, nothing too difficult. We reached a point where
we agreed our fun meter was pegged and we should take the next access street.
We kept walking, and walking, and well, you get the picture. I eventually noticed
a helpful sign that stated the next aces road was 5/8 of mile further on across
some challenging terrain. The terrain didn’t turn out to be challenging but it
was all of the distance indicated. The sign would have ben a lot more helpful
if it was posted by the last access road instead a mile further on.
Glad I don't Have to Mow that Lawn
Long Trail, Beautiful Day 
There was Even Some Sort of Pagoda 
My Partner 
Ladies Through one of the Tunnels 
Ran Out of Concrete 
Still Fun Though
We
finally popped out and noticed we were literally at the end of the entire Cliff
Walk, so I’ve got that to brag about. We were a little sweaty and definitely ready
for a very late lunch but faced the 2+ mile walk back to the car. We were about
a quarter of the way through that when my wife flagged down a passing bicycle
taxi. We piled into the back of that and completed the trip back in less than
ten minutes. Yes, I wimped out and I’m not afraid to be proud of it. This allowed
us to fight the traffic back into central Newport and get that elusive lunch at
my favorite Irish pub in Newport, Buskers. I ordered the coldest beer they had available.
The only repercussion from the long walk was some evening leg cramps that were
quelled with an over indulgence in tonic water, my miracle cure for same.
Nearing the End
The
granddaughters have had a busy week as well. I’m still trying to figure out
what BR3 has smeared all over her face but I’m a little afraid to ask. I’m sure
its some sort of finger paint, hope springs eternal. BR3 now walks just about
everywhere. The BRS maintains her position as an official popsicle connoisseur.
Meanwhile in New Jersey the FBR was busy with friends, the pool, and
playgrounds. There might have also been the odd frozen treat as well. She had
her abuela spinning a little but with this picture showing her at the top of a
climbing tower. The kid is nothing if not brave.
Ladies Emerging From Buskers
BR3 
Hope it's Finger Paint 
BRS 
Popsicle Party with Dad 
Spinning FBR 
FBR Atop Tower
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With Wingman
RECURRING CHARACTERS
BR3 – granddaughter #3, BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first
granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best
Family Athlete = my daughter in law; Wingman
– my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2
– friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt - my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend
– friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as
radical leftist to attract women; Kindergarten
Friend – friend since kindergarten whom I reunited with after many years; Pittsburgh College Roommate– high
school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions
once my wife got involved in planning; Maine
and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters,
my wife is the 3rd musquetera (musketeer); Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog; PanaGals – female relatives /friends of
my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin
Mafia – inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we
have lived & their spouses; Neighborhood
Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of
course); First Friday – celebrations
to mark the First Friday of the Week; Curbside
Girls – close friends of my daughter acquired during her single days in
Brooklyn
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