Edward Abbey

On my final day of class, my environmental science professor shared a quote by Edward Abbey that really pertains to my blog. I believe that it is so important to invest time and work into conservation but do not forget to appreciate the land as well.

"One final paragraph of advice: Do not burn yourself out. Be as I am-a reluctant enthusiast... a part time crusader, a half-hearted fanatic. Save the other half of yourselves and your lives for pleasure and adventure. It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it is still there. So get out there and mess around with your friends, ramble out yonder and explore the forests, encounter the grizz, climb the mountains. Run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air, sit quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, that lovely, mysterious and awesome space. Enjoy yourselves, keep your brain in your head and your head firmly attached to your body, the body active and alive, and I promise you this much: I promise you this one sweet victory over our enemies, over those deskbound people with their hearts in a safe deposit box and their eyes hypnotized by desk calculators. I promise you this: you will outlive the bastards" Edward Abbey

I love this picture of Edward Abbey. His face tells a story

Then & Now

In the Newport Daily News, there is a section at the bottom of the paper called "Then & Now". There are frequent images portraying Aquidneck Island as it was in the past and present pictures showing the changes that have been made over the years. Many of the images show new housing developments and construction but other times the past and present pictures look extremely similar. It always makes me so happy to see the areas that remain unchanged. When I am home can post a picture of one of the articles. They are one of my favorite parts of the paper.

I found this picture online and I really liked the quote from John Muir. John Muir has become known as the "father of preservation" and "father of the national parks". He was influenced by the wilderness and also by the work of Ralph Waldo Emerson. He even spent the day with him. Muir founded the Sierra Club and overall epitomizes what it means to be connected with the natural world.
Here is a site called the "John Muir Exhibit". Provides information about his life and mission.
John Muir Site

My other favorite John Muir quote is 

"Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean"

Relationship

I have been thinking a lot about how it is so important to appreciate all the things that we have.  We seem to realize how special they are when they are not there. The same can be said for our relationship with the environment. Once we give it up and let it go, we can never get it back. It cannot simply be restored, the beauty cannot be recaptured. It is so important to appreciate all the miracles around us because they cannot be taken for granted. May it be saying I love you to someone or taking the extra time to appreciate that beautiful tree in the yard, all it takes is a little extra care.

View of the water at Fort Adams in Newport

Ocean Drive

View of rocks and water

Ocean Drive is my favorite place on the island. The Drive is ten miles long filled with views of rugged cliffs, beautiful homes, areas for flying kites and picnicking, bike paths, and overall coastal beauty unlike anywhere else in the world. My favorite memory of Ocean Drive was when I was driving during a storm and my windows were down and a huge wave crashed against the wall and all the water sprayed into my car. It was so powerful and for some reason made me so happy. I will never forget it. My best friend and I also love to get ice cream and drive along the drive to simply take in all that this scenic road has to offer.

  

Picture of part of the road with benches overlooking the water

Ocean Drive is beautiful at all times but especially during sunset!

Ocean drive on the map. It is the white road that runs along the edge of the island.

Almy Pond on the Map

Shot of the Almy Pond Conservation Area. The brown on the left is the start of the water and wetlands. 

Almy Pond

Spouting Rock Drive, Newport Rhode Island
This land is extremely valuable because of the wetlands on this property. It is very important as a habitat for wildlife and also provides breathtaking views. 19.66 acres have been protected.

View of the water from behind some brush

ALT sign posted in front of the saved property 

Other Beauties!!

Newport is notoriously known for its beautiful coastline, especially the famous Cliff Walk. The Cliff Walk is a combination of spectacular ocean views along with seeing the elaborate mansions from the Gilded Age. It is a National Recreation Trail in a National Historic District. It started as just a path along the shoreline until improvements were made by funds from the National Park Service Land and Water Conservation Fund. It is a three and half miles long.

A picture of the coastline and path. Walls were added to help prevent erosion along the cliffs.

Surfers taking advantage of the local access to the water. The waves can get pretty big here, especially when hurricanes hit.

Shot looking straight out at the water, you can see parts of Newport and Middletown, if you look really closely you can see the St. George's chapel, the highest point of the island.

One of my favorite parts of the Cliff Walk, "Love is Life". Many people tap these letters before proceeding under the tunnel.