Archives for July 2014

Advanced Moves: The Other Bike Path

 

by E.A. Mann

Advanced Moves shines a light on the smaller, lesser-known joys of living in Warren.

Bridge over calm waters
Bridge over calm waters

For years I’d heard of a mysterious second bike path in Warren. Details were vague. For every ten people I discussed it with, only one brave soul had actually walked the path. Every time I was given directions, I listened intently to the words, then immediately forgot them. Over time a mythology built up around this second bike path for me, and I wondered if I would ever actually go there. If it even existed.

Finally, on a recent, perfect summer day, I decided to avoid the inevitable crowds on the East Bay Bike path and search for Atlantis. Rhode Islanders don’t usually like long journeys, and I’ve found Warren-ites to be a particularly concentrated form of them. I wasn’t born here, but I fit right in. The Warren Bike Path is up Child Street, near Kickemuit Middle School, off of Hugh Cole Road. Living, as I do, near the Main and Water Street corridor, it may as well be the Arctic Circle. But I must admit, it wasn’t hard to find. And it was worth the long journey east.

Arcing trees provide shade.
Arcing trees provide shade.

Calling it a bike path may be a bit of a misnomer. At 1.2 miles, a speedy biker can cover it in the time it takes to make a cup of coffee. But as a walking or running path, it’s a beautiful piece of land, and in a town known for water and density, it’s a welcome stretch of shady, idyllic woods. Trees arc over the path, filtering the sunlight down into pretty patches. One side terminates in a nice water view with benches on either side (there is some water, this is Warren after all…). If you’ve got kids, the path abuts the Warren Recreation Park, making for a nice detour into playgrounds and sports fields.

But the path’s best attribute might be the same obscurity that kept me away for so many years. You can jog this path in the morning and not see another soul. Even on a peak summer day, you will not encounter hordes of families taking up both lanes of the bike path. For most of my walk, it was just me, my ten month old napping in her stroller, and the sounds of the woods.

Unless I lose the map, I’ll be back often.

Playground and fields nearby
Playground and fields nearby

Got an Advanced Move? Message the Discover Warren page or share it in the comments.

Excited to announce: Instagram takeovers!

We’re psyched to announce a new project: Instagram takeovers! Every other week, a different Warren local will post as @discoverwarren, sharing their daily lives in this little town. Our first takeover was @mrtrayday, local artist and native son Adam Tracy. (His week will be hard to top–he seemed to tackle everything Warren had to offer, from bars and restaurants to free shows in the park, the men’s basketball league, kayaking, local art…)

This week, we have a mother/daughter team taking over the account: Susanna Jackson (@sue_thebigcheese) and her mother, Mary. Susanna will start us off: born and bred here in Warren, Susanna now lives in Boston, working as an editor for alt-weekly newspaper Dig Boston. She accepts all invitations back to lil’ Rhody ’cause she knows she’ll be well fed. Lucky for us, she’s spending the weekend here in Warren, making her the perfect gal to take over @discoverwarren. When she heads back up north, her mom Mary Jackson will be taking over; best known as the manager of local hangout The Coffee Depot and yogi extraordinaire, Mary herself grew up here in Warren and is often seen walking and biking around town. Thanks ladies–we can’t wait to see your take on 02885.

Spotlight in Warren: Whimsies

Getting to know a different Warren merchant every week

Whimsies!

Inside Whimsies
Inside Whimsies

Whimsies is a little shop in downtown Warren owned by local Warren resident Andie Churchill, who describes it as an “art-inspired gift shop and gallery.”

Custom painted furniture
Custom painted furniture

The shop is filled with all sorts of knick-knacks, many of which are made by local artists, making them unique, as well as tax-free. Much of the store is appropriately nautical-themed, with items for sale like sterling silver necklaces with pendants filled with sand from local beaches or jewelry made from different types of shells.

Andie also takes custom orders for hand-painted pieces of furniture.

Whether you are looking for a cool gift for a special someone, a new piece for your home, or just a fun place to look around, Whimsies is the place to go!

 

 

La Passeggiata

By Kristen Aber

Four years ago today I was enjoying my honeymoon in Rome and loving every second of it…even though it was July and hotter than Hades. My husband and I were swept up in the Italian custom of la passeggiata, or the evening stroll. You see, in Rome, most Italians know better than to take a walk in the middle of the day; they wait for dusk when the light is its most flattering and the temperature begins to drop.

These walks are best when taken arm in arm with a loved one, spouse or dear friend. They are meant to be gentle, meandering strolls to take in the fresh air and exchange the latest gossip. Studies have found hydration during exercise to be very important, so if you happen to pass a bar, then have a glass of wine.

While you may know and love the two bike paths or the Audobon refuge in Touisset, Warren has many routes that I find ideal for la passeggiata that I’d like to share them with you.

Downtown Walk

 

Downtown: Between Main Street and Water Street, you will find an architect’s dream of beautiful old homes. Park in the spots behind Town Hall, grab a Del’s, and take it all in.

Vernon St Walk

 

 

Vernon St: This is one of my favorite neighborhoods in town. Lovely homes, friendly people, and a big old cemetery in the middle. Park at the Franklin St. Park and Ride.

 

Reservoir Walk

 

Reservoir: For those looking for a more country road experience, circle the reservoir. The Child St stretch may not be the most pleasant, but a stop in at Chomp for a cold beer could help alleviate the pain.

 

 

Touisset

 

Touisset: This remote part of town is a sweet waterfront community perfect for exploring at sunset.

 

Follow this link to see the Google Map that includes each of these walks.

What are your favorite strolls?

Advanced Moves: The Best Bench in Warren

Advanced Moves shines on light on the smaller, lesser-known joys of living in Warren. 

Approaching from Baker St.

By E.A. Mann

The best bench in Warren hides in plain sight. A stone’s throw from some of Warren’s best restaurants, you may have passed this bench a dozen times without ever seeing it. It has no markings or memorial plaques. But stumble onto it, and you’ll be rewarded with a perfect moment of peace and beauty.

To locate it, make your way to Water Street and turn onto Baker toward the water. Past the children’s pirate ship, the street dead-ends at the bench.

Bench Side View

Head there for a moment of quiet after dinner, or to start the night. And bring your bike – a convenient rack makes this a great place to park for the night. For bonus points, come at sundown and get all of the gorgeous pinks and yellows of a sunset over the Warren River without any squinting (a house on the right blocks the brunt of the sun).On Bench

Got an Advanced Move? Message the Discover Warren page or share it in the comments.

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