Trustom Pond!

Today was the first day of school for my 2 sons.  Our youngest started full day kindergarten and lets just say we were all a little anxious the past few days.  All these firsts are so bitter sweet...we love to see them learn & grow but just don't want them to do it so quickly.  I truly feel we need routine & structure in our home, which school seems to provide, but the threat of change has been lingering in all of our emotions the past week.  I could feel the tension & excitement in the boys as we all got ready for the first day this morning.  Everything ended up going great the only tears came from me as I watched the bus pull away from our picture window.  I didn't realize my shoulders had been at my ears for god only knows how long & I sighed with relief as they departed. 

All the stress washed away & I felt like I needed to breathe so I went to one of my favorite spots...Trustom Pond.  Trustom Pond Wildlife Refuge consists of 787 acres and about 300 different species of birds.  It is located on Matunuck School house Rd in South Kingstown, RI.  It is a peaceful outdoor oasis with trails & an abundant amount of unbelievable views of the salt pond, fields, woodlands, beach dunes & swamp.  It is the second largest refuge in RI & a haven for bird watchers but most importantly it is minute from my front door.  Even though I frequently see many bird watchers they are so purposely quiet you'd never know they were there.  After walking a few miles & breathing in the salty humid air I realize what I already knew, transition is good & we all NEED it! 

There is nothing like being alone with nature it gives you perspective & in South County we are blessed to be surrounded by so much of it.  Note to self: remember to take the time to walk through woods & find yourself!

"Going into the woods by yourself is the best way to pretend you’re in another time. It’s a thing you can only do alone. If there’s somebody else with you, it’s too easy to remember where you really are." Carol Rifka Brunt

I hope you are one day able to visit Trustom Pond...

 

Kristen Lenzner-Holloway a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, Realtor & RI enthusiast!

Washington County Fair

This week we visit the Washington County Fair off Rt 112 in Richmond, RI.

The fair will be taking place from August 15-19 this year & I'm sure my family will end up there at least once before the week is over.  It has been the largest fair in RI for the past 40 years. We go there to see the agriculture, livestock, tractor pulls, dirt bike races (a favorite of my sons), music, rides & of course the food!

I started going to the fair as a child with my Nana & Papa, it became an annual tradition for us to go every year.  My Papa passed at the very young age of 55 in 1995 so visiting now is bitter sweet.  My sister & I are blessed with some great memories there with him.  He loved to go & eat all the traditional Rhode Island food; chowder, Johnny cakes, corn fritters, Johnny cakes, strawberry short cake, Johnny cakes, salted potatoes...did I mention Johnny cakes???   If you've never had a Johnny cake you are missing out!

It is always the second week of August it is a great place to enjoy your kids before they go back to school.  It is a fun date night too you can impress your lady with the strong man games.  Be careful of the man they always have at the entrance of the rides & games who guesses your weight & age.  God knows I don't want that info screamed to the world! They have an antique tractor competition, craft show & museum quality antiques.  They have contests like cow milking, dung toss & pie eating that any child or adult can participate in, they really are a hoot!  My sister Rachel once got talked into the dung toss contest!

This is a true country fair so break out your boots & get ready for a GOOD time.


Kristen Lenzner-Holloway a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, Realtor & RI enthusiast.

My secret place....

Today I share with you a secret it is very sacred to me & dear to my heart.

The URI Bay Campus beach is located on South Ferry Rd in Narragansett. I have many fond memories of this special place. I started coming here at a very young age with my family & even took swimming lessons here every summer. At that age I dreaded jumping in the cold water at the wee hour of 8am but little did I know how lucky I was to be able to take advantage of this sacred place. We would spend countless days lounging in the hazy summer sun some people only romanticize about. With a large family sometimes there would be over a dozen of us occupying a corner of the beach.

As a teenager I would come to this beach at night & sit in my car to read, listen to music obscenely loud or just stare out at the moon lit peaks in the bay attempting to seek refuge from what ever was bothering me that day. I still didn't appreciate this place I used as a sanctuary

As an adult, I not only see the amazing panoramic views of the bay, Jamestown & small boats bobbing on moorings I see a safe place I can bring my children to relax & go for a swim or just bask in the sun. They enhance their little minds with all the nature we are surrounded by with fishing or crabbing. This is a family beach it is free of waves, litter & crowds.

This fall my youngest son goes to school full time & I'm sure I will come here with the intention of seeking solitude but really just wanting to quench my desire to hear children laughing & playing. For my home will be very quite.  I hope one day my children too have amazing memories of this beach & all of the quality time we spent here.

This is my secret...I hope one day you are able to enjoy it too.

Kristen Lenzner-Holloway, a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, Realtor & RI enthusiast