Avondale Rhode Island

We spent the month of August 2019 working on projects and winterizing Mystic to prepare her for a long layover. She'll sit at Frank Hall Marina in Avondale, Rhode Island until spring. Although we worked hard each day, there was plenty of time to explore the little town of Avondale. We took long walks and photographed the quaint, historic area around our marina. It was much like exploring Two Harbors, Minnesota, Mystic's home port. This place is filled with hidden gems.

Beautiful Avondale Home

Saucer flowers growing along stone wall

Right down the road from Frank Hall is the Avondale Farm Preserve. It is a 50 acre plot of prime land that was set aside by the Westerly Land Trust in 1987 as its first conservation project. There are paved roads and grass paths leading through an array of native wildflower fields that grow taller than us. We took daily respites from our work to explore the preserve and run the paths. A monument found along the roadside, makes the statement "We took our Stand We Saved This Land", all for the enjoyment of the community.

Monument Stone sits beneath a tree at Avondale Farm Preserve

Avondale Farm Preserve Monument

Avondale Barn

Fields of native wildflowers line the trails

The Avondale farm was originally the Pendleton-Chapman house. The homestead, barn and schoolhouse, located on the front lot of the property, were purchased then renovated by Charles Royce who also rebuilt the magnificent Ocean House in Watch Hill. Charles and his wife were summer beach residents who wanted a quiet place to escape from the bustle of tourists at the beaches. They insisted that the renovations keep to the original historic design and they incorporated eco-friendly systems to limit the environmental impact. The Avondale farm residence is quite attractive with beautiful grounds and gardens that drew us in with their authentic charm. It looks to be a lovely place to call home.

Avondale Farm Buildings

Beautiful gardens at Avondale Farm

Stone wall around Avondale Farm

Ocean House View from Napatree Point

Ocean House Photo by Oceanhouseri.com

https://www.oceanhouseri.com/

The Avondale chapel, a branch of the First Baptist Church of Westerly, was dedicated in 1847. The land was donated by Ethan Pendleton, a descendent of Joseph Pendleton who auctioned off plots of land through a lottery in 1748 after losing his ship and an uninsured cargo of rum. This led to the town being named Lotteryville. It was renamed Avondale when the Post Office opened in 1893. The village saw a lot of growth through the 1800s. A school and many homes were built during this time, making this tiny little town a bustling community of sailors, fisherman and shipmasters, many of whom were a part of the whaling community.

You can see right through the chapel windows

Avondale is a quaint and charming New England port close to the Atlantic Ocean, Fisher's Island Sound and the gorgeous beaches of Rhode Island. We couldn't have picked a better spot to leave Mystic and take a break from our looping adventure. In addition to the natural beauty that surrounds us, it is only a 20 minute drive to my family and friends in Connecticut. We are excited to return in the spring, with the promise of longer days, the sun rising higher in the sky and the birds serenading us in the budding trees.

Dreamer at Watch Hill, Rhode Island

Napatree Point at Watch Hill

Watch Hill Cove, Mystic is just up the Pawcatuck River

Watch Hill Lighthouse

We've spent the month of March preparing for our return by completing boat projects, gathering up our gear and checking off all the boxes on our "to do" lists. Our excitement had been building! And then the Covid-19 Virus arrived, putting all our plans on hold. We've been watching the Looper and Cruising forums which tell us that marinas are closing across the country. We are working on "Plan B", at this very moment, and hope to be on our way to Mystic soon!

Family and friends keep an eye on Mystic.
Photo by Tom Izbicki, March 23, 2020