Exploring the Ocean State

Today’s guest post is part of the “Favorite Places to Explore Nature” series and comes from one of the first bloggers I ever “met,” Shannon of Backyard Mama. I’d love to explore nature with her and her kiddo – if only she didn’t live on the other side of the country! I’m excited she’s here today sharing some of her favorite places to explore nature in Rhode Island.

I was tickled to death when my dear blogger friend Debi asked me to share some of Rhode Island’s finest. I must admit, this has been a challenging endeavor; Rhode Island is FULL of fine, fun, places to explore. So, when you’re headed our way, come prepared for beach adventures, swamp walking and beautiful hikes, along gently rolling hills with abounding rock walls and glacial erratics.

My first suggestion to every family explorer is to pick up a copy of Best Hikes with Kids CT, MA & RI, a book co-authored by Cynthia Copeland, Thomas J. Lewis and Emily Kerr that is chalk full of helpful information. While you’re at it, check out A Guide to Rhode Island’s Natural Places, another wonderful guide written by members of the Rhode Island Sea Grant. Also visit my blog and RI Families in Nature, both full of resources to feed the hunger of busy travelers and lollygagging nature enthusiasts.

Aerial view of the Southern Rhode Island Coast (looking north)

Adventure #1
Rhode Island is known as the Ocean State for good reason. With miles of coastline, beaches abound. Access to these beaches is easily acquired either by car or boat. Personally, I prefer the boat ride, but then again, I am lucky; my family has boats and access to the waterways through which to travel.

Jeremiah & my father Andrew captaining the boat (Fall 2009)

My son Jeremiah learned to navigate the ponds at the ripe young age of 7 months. As a nautical novice, he turns on the boat, steers, shifts gears and joyfully anchors the boat at our destination (this past summer he taught me these skills).

Jeremiah (10 months) playing at Charlestown Breachway (Fall 2007)

The salt ponds offer children ample opportunities to explore tide pools, play in the rushes and reeds, swim, build sand castles or enjoy a cool breeze – all while their parents sit back and enjoy the spectacular views year round. Personally, I think the ocean is best visited in September or October with fewer vacationers.

Adventure #2
Inland from the coast (a whole 10 mile or so drive – it’s a small state) are lush rivers and ponds that are wonderful for kayaking, canoeing, swimming and fishing. One of these rivers is the Wood River.

Jeremiah & my mother Patti off on a freshwater kayak adventure (Fall 2009)

As a child, I canoed the Wood River collecting blueberries in the summer and diving in for a cool swim in the early fall. During the summer the fresh water rivers are filled with trout and other fish for young explorers to catch and bring home for  supper! The smell of mountain laurel and honeysuckle eminates in the summer and the foliage in the fall is incredible.

With numerous road crossings, it is easy to venture on a one-way trip between two portages. Or if access to two vehicles is difficult, a round-trip adventure is fairly easy.

In the flood of 2010, the Wood River came right up to the back porch of my mom’s house making it easy access for canoeing!

Canoeing off the back porch

Adventure #3
Still inland, the Yellow Dot Trail is my all-time favorite Rhode Island hike. The trail head is located just outside Rockville and the hike is characterized by abundant mountain laurel and steep climbs up almost cliff-like outcrop. The trail meanders and there is some fairly challenging, but very fun, terrane.

If you plan to take this hike with children, I highly recommend a minimum of two adults as some of the climbs are steep and having one adult in the front and another at the back is best. In the fall the foliage is amazing and in the winter the views are spectacular. Pack a picnic lunch and spend time on El Pond. See what creatures you can find (or who finds you!)

Tree climbing for a better view (Summer 2010)

Adventure #4
Heading back toward the coast, Trustom Pond is a fun, safe place for kids to roam, discover and explore. My son especially enjoys using binoculars to identify the birds, including osprey. In August we always go to find caterpillars and chrysalis; then in September, we watch the monarch butterflies take flight.

The field at Trustom Pond (Fall 2010)

The hike starts out in a large grassland field full of milkweed and other native plants.

A deer hiding in the woodland area (Fall 2010)

The woodland areas are full of wildlife, beautiful trees and a diversity of native flora.

Swans playing in the water (Fall 2010)

All paths lead to the brackish saltwater ponds, full of swans, geese, ducks, osprey and other waterfowl. This hike is particularly appealing because it is easy to navigate with big or little legs and even with a stroller.

Adventure #5
As The Backyard Mama, my favorite adventures and explorations are at home or in the backyards of my friends and family. Here we can play with sand, mud, snow, rain and sunshine. The weather in Rhode Island can be cold in the winter, but due to the close proximity to the coast, it is usually mild and outdoor play is accessible, fun and wildly creative.

Children playing in gravel (Summer 2010)

Seashells, collected on ocean adventures, mulch the garden, adding much needed nutrients to the soil.

Spinach & mesclen mix mulched with oyster shells (Summer 2008)

Children can explore, guided by loving parents or off on a delightful adventure – day or night – listening to owls and bats, watching for foxes or coyote.

Lantern walk through the pine forest (Fall 2010)

The bottom line is that in Rhode Island, there is so much to do and explore it’s hard to pick out the “top five” or even “top ten” nature adventures.

Get your ducks (oops, I mean geese) in a row and pick up the few handy resources outlined earlier; pack your bags and come on over to the Ocean State. Bring your best walking shoes, a life jacket and swimming gear and you’re sure to have a grand time!

Geese cruising by a dock while enjoying a Rhode Island sunset

At the end of the day you’ll be sure to see that Rhode Island is for Adventurers!

Sunset at Trustom Pond (Fall 2010)

A few other great hikes to think about:

• Francis Carver Preserve in Charlestown, Rhode Island
• Diamond Hill in Smithfield, Rhode Island
• Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown, Rhode Island
• And so many more

Shannon Baer is a mother, writer, geologist and advocate for connecting children to nature. She maintains the blog Backyard Mama, teaches children’s yoga and provides workshops to parents and educators on the benefits of nature play. When she’s away from her computer she’s outside, collecting kindling, catching butterflies or soaking in sunrays. She is eager to inspire you to spend more time outside exploring and discovering the wonders of nature.