swimming holes.

...balancing on the train tracks to get to the little wooded paths that lead to the hidden swimming holes is my actual favorite part about vermont so far.

summer.

 

Summer in Vermont means my dear friend Melissa lives only an hour away from me and we have all the time in the world to do the things we love - stream swimming, ice-cream eating, and laughing at silly faces/ everything else.  And since it's Vermont there are magical-looking streams everywhere and ice-cream stands include things like maple syrup soft serve (!!).  It's only been a couple of weeks but my apartment and this little town is already starting to feel like home.

.

to the beach.

I can't imagine not living at least a little bit near a beach.  Just knowing that it's near is such a comfort.  It's perfect for sunny days off of work when all you need is to be outside and away from the urban things. So, to Little Compton, Rhode Island! I found a little village that is apparently only busy in the summer season. I followed a small trail and found myself on the most peaceful, rocky, new england beach complete with a lighthouse and my own little cove.  I lazed there for 3 hours and felt so happy that I hardly took any pictures of all the magic scenery.

the end of a week.

Saturday night was a potluck and games at Leonore's!  It is pretty much impossible to leave an event where there is delicious food and so much laughter and not feel completely content (and so full of soup).

And Sunday Kyle and lounged in the 55 degree weather (?!) at India Point Park.  There was a telling of folktales, tree climbing, impressing/scaring children, and I even tried slacklining! I hope my return to school tomorrow doesn't interfere with all of this good.

a natural spring.

the most magical place on the edge of rhode island
highlights:

we had to walk through narnia to get there

opening up a mossy covered door to a bubbling spring of water

the water was so cold and tasted better than any bottled water i've ever had

noah dipped his head in and i splashed my feet around

i didn't want to leave

If I don't stop aging after this I'm going to be disappointed.

rainy days...

... are perfect for sleeping in, eating almost- monte-cristos on the floor, and playing backgammon in nearby coffee shops (also are you seeing how cool leonore's backgammon board is?)

jamestown, ri

Yesterday I was invited to an outing to Jamestown, RI and man, I had no idea I was headed to such a lovely place.  It was so nice to get out of the city and experience trees and the ocean and rustic farmhouses and new england lighthouses and these people were so warm and genuine, too.  I found a perch and just soaked it all up for a while and then there was some real trail exploring that needed to be done.  The day finished with woodfire pizza at this hearthen, cozy place in the town and I was so happy about it all I forgot to photograph it.

a bike tour.

Today I was invited out to this cool, offbeat place in South Providence, Liberty Elm Diner (blueberry french toast! ^^), but it turned into a mini bike tour/adventure through the whole city:

First: Roger Williams Park! It was so huge and filled with lakes and ducks and surreal architecture.

Okay and then City Farm, a little workshare farming place actually within the city.

And finally the Providence Athenaeum, a library that's been around since 1753.  It was filled with old mysterious books and it was so fun to see books with the last check out date in 1946.  My friend found a bookmark that was from 1923 in one of the books :O. It was a happy little way to not completely hibernate through the 35 degree weather. AND the day finished with riding through the city on the back rack of someone's bicycle.

the early mornings.

Sometimes you just need to start your day with some maple granola, pennyroyal tea, oversized socks, and window creeping.