Maine to Rhode Island (Friday, August 28th, 2015)

It was a big driving day today as we made our way from Acadia National Park, Maine to Providence Rhode Island.  We checked in at the Holiday Inn Express-Warwick,  where we had a beautiful King suite.  It was really nice to spread out after our little motel room in Bar Harbor, Maine.  We were sure looking forward to spending a nice quiet night here.

A very nice King Suite in Warwick, Rhode Island

Once we got settled in, we went exploring.  We strolled through a neighborhood at the top of the bay and saw a couple of swans.  

Apparently swans are indigenous to the east coast, but they are a treat for us to see!

The view of the bay looking toward the East Warwick Marina

I loved this house, what great ventilation!

We ended up at the East Warwick Bay Marina, at a restaurant called Chelo's Waterfront Bar and Grill.  It was huge, with a large restaurant, three outdoor bars, and outdoor seating on multiple decks overlooking the bay.  We loved the atmosphere, so decided that this was where we would stop for dinner.  

Steve at one of the bars where we had a beer and waited for a table.

The view from the bar back toward the restaurant.  The upper deck is where we ended up eating our dinner.

Steve and I each had a beer at one of the the outdoor bars while we waited for our table, then sat up on the upper deck for our dinner.  Just as we were seated the outdoor band started playing.  It was really enjoyable to hear them in the distance.  The weather was perfect, as was the dinner. We split a fish and chips and a greek salad for dinner.  Both were very good.  Such a beautiful place on the bay.

The view of the marina from our table

It becomes even more beautiful as the sun is setting

The live band that serenaded us as we ate our dinner

After dinner we walked around the marina and saw this great sailboat.  Sailboats are often stored like this on lifts to protect the keel.

After dinner we were exhausted from the long drive, so we headed back to the hotel for a good night's sleep.  

But at about 12:30 a.m., just as we were both in a deep sleep, the fire alarm went off.  It startled us both so much that we were quite incoherent.  Steve said "I don't smell smoke.  I'm sure we have plenty of time....", as he began packing up his important stuff.  I just stumbled around very confused about the whole thing!  Finally, as he was ready to head out of the room, I came to my senses, grabbed by purse and a sweater and stumbled out after him.  Our room was two doors away from the stairs, so we headed down the stairwell with a bunch of other incoherent people.  It was a nice warm night so very easy to be outside.  We did see some interesting sleepwear....probably including ours...no pictures of that of course!  It didn't take long for the fire department to show up (all 6 trucks, including a very large ladder truck).  

They checked things out and determined that someone had lit a cigarette in the lobby under a smoke detector before exiting the building.  Wow, that was one exciting night!