Sunday Driver: Rhode Island 77

Sakonnet River along Rt 77 in Rhode Island

Beautiful day out today and it was a very pleasant drive bright and early this morning. I am no longer on a LeMans high, I am just an early riser. So, while looking out my window at the downtown skyline as dawn was breaking, I decided to check out my renegade neighbors to the south and visit Rhode Island. A place that my lovely niece once reminded me was not an island. However, the place I visited in my travels along Rhode Island Route 77 gives you a clear view of what is actually the island of Rhode Island called Aquidneck Island. Confused by the conundrum of colonialism? Good.

Just like the state and this route, this article will be small and short. The run is from Tiverton to Little Compton (insert L.A. gang banger joke here) and at 14 miles, the drive itself went down in about 20 minutes. It's a trip to the grocery store when compared to Vermont's Green Hell (here). Nevertheless, getting down there was pretty easy, but it is an uninspiring drive down MA and RI Route 24S: note to self, find a more interesting route next time. So, is it worth going down there for a 20 minute drive? Sure...when is it not a good time for a drive for the sake of the activity itself.

One thing you note immediately after exiting Tiverton is the amount of low fog. I guess it should be expected at this time of morning, but then you notice that there is a beach called Fogland. It was something that was omnipresent right up until the road ends and you face the Sakonnet River and Rhode Island Sound. You also notice the large expanses of farm land, stonewalls, and vineyards (not bad if you are into wine). Moreover, while making your way through Historic Tiverton the structures come right up to the road. A small detail that I love when thinking about more complementary co-existence of roads and structures. It certainly gives a place its reference in time and can be found pretty easily all over New England given the obvious length of time the towns have been around. 

Fishing along the rocks of Sakonnet Point

The road itself is a nice little mix of corners and straights but no different that other "country" roads. This drive is more about the scenery as I did find myself looking more to the sides of the road than one would like a driver to do if the roads were more busy.  RI-77 does in fact take you right up to the water's edge ending at Sakonnet Point Club. I got out and took a walk around and watched guys of all ethnic stripes fishing the waters using various techniques. It definitely brings you back to New England's seafaring and fishing past and present; and the fish were biting this morning.  

So, not an extensive drive but still worth a look; and if you don't like it there would be plenty of time in the day still to visit a place with more pizazz like Newport across the Sakonnet in which you can see all things posh or all things Navy.

Moving picture time:



Tiverton Four Corners
Carolyn's Sakonnet Vineyard