It is the Thursday before Labor Day weekend and we have planned a short get away to Providence, RI. There are several reasons for this trip 1) to get the heck out of NYC during Covid and 2) we have decided it is time to move somewhere else. Seven years in Manhattan is enough and the city is well, not for us. It has lost all appeal, there are no Broadway Shows, you cant go out to dinner, the crime is out of control and the subways, just to risky. Why Providence, it reminds me of Portland before it turned in to hipsterville. Its small, extremely clean and surrounded by water. I will still work for the same firm, just remotely and go into the city a couple times a month, more if needed.
The day started with a few hours of work, as our train was not until 2. We left the apartment around 12:30, and for the first time in about 2 months both air conditioners are going to get a few days off. They have been going 24/7 since June 1. The best part of these short road trip, is that Tarragon gets with us.
So, we all jumped in a cab and were off to Penn Station. We have not been in the train station since before the lock down, and it was a very different experience, only about 25% capacity. Normally, it is jammed pack with travelers. I guess that is one positive side to travel during Covid.
The train was 50% full, only window seats allowed, unless you were traveling with family. Our train was a bit delayed, but once we boarded, we had very little trouble finding a seat in the first car of coach, no business class and they discriminate against those of the furry nature. Tarragon is a very good train traveler; he basically just is rocked to sleep by the motion of the train. The ride itself was pretty uneventful, everyone obeyed the rules and wore masks. The trip took about 3 and half hours total. It is really a nice trip once you get out of the City, goes along much of the Connecticut coast line.
A bit of an aside here. It has really been a while since I have done a serious blog, yes, I did a bit on our trip to NW
Connecticut, but that was not up to my normal standards. Since we have not been able to take a real vacation, I am a bit out of practice in the blogging department.
Anyway, the train station is very centrally located in Providence, you can basically walk to any hotel downtown. Our hotel, Homewood Suites by Hilton (points points points) was 5 blocks, a very easy walk with our luggage, kitty and his luggage. Everything looked much newer than when we were here 5 years ago. And god is it clean. Clean like Portland use to be when I was in my 20s.
We got to the hotel and had a bit of trouble finding the reception, it was tugged around the corner from the elevator so we went up and down a few times before we figured it out. When we did figure it out, check in went very smoothly, and the front desk clerk was very friendly, behind glass like the boy in the bubble, but friendly none the less. We are on the 4th floor in a corner room, with great views. King size bed of course, more for the cat then us, I think.
After getting settled in the room we changed and left for dinner. The evening was pleasant, sunset behind us, gentle breeze, but the humidity was 94%!,(MISSING) but manageable with the breeze and the walk down the river side.
We discovered this place when we were here 5 years ago, we stopped in for We were impressed enough to give it a try for dinner. While the name would indicate rotisserie style food, it is really fairly French inspired, with the exceptions of the two TVs over the bar showing sports (we liked it better when there were no sports because of Covid). Rhode Island has both inside and outside seating available. Inside was very nicely spaced. We felt New York is going to really have to change how they cram people in for money, if those restaurants want to survive in this new age.
The staff was very friendly and with out the attitude of servers in NYC.
