Block Island, Rhode Island, USA: 30 April 2003 Excursion

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"And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good.
And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day" (Genesis 1:31)

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(Photo - 00) On our previous excursion to Block Island on 13 September 2002, we came across Nathan Mott Park. After a casual look at the effects of the drought, we decided to come back another time. So, on 30 April 2003, after landing at the airport, we walked over to the park to begin our exploration.

(Photo - 01) The entry path was lined on both sides with a dense growth of bushes that were just beginning to sprout their leaves.

(Photo - 02) A little farther down the path, we encountered another, but smaller, pathway cutting off to the left and crossing a stone fence.

(Photo - 02a) The left side of this branching pathway was lined with a carpet of moss.

(Photo - 03) This is a closer look at one of the patches of moss along the side of the path.

(Photo - 04) We continued our walk down the main path and rounded a corner, where we could see across a small valley

(Photo - 04a) Across the small valley we saw a park bench next to another branch in the pathway, which had apparently been eroded by running water.

(Photo - 05) Continuing along the main pathway, across the valley and past the park bench we had seen from the other side, we came upon this swath of golden grass glistening in the the sun. Waving in the breeze, it appeared to be flowing down the hillside..

(Photo - 05a) This is a closer look at the "flowing" golden grass. Besides the beauty, there was something quite remarkable about this grass: surviving the heavy winter snows without being flattened, it was able to "dance" in the spring breezes.

(Photo - 06) A little farther along the path, we spotted this small pond to our left. It was almost completely obscured by the dense brush. We took this photo by stooping down and focusing the camera through a small opening in the bushes.

(Photo - 07) This is a closer look at the edge of the pond with its rocks, sticks, and ripple-distorted reflection. Unless we slow down enough to really look at God's creation, we miss much of its beauty.

(Photo - 08) Walking farther down the trail, we came to a section where the branches of the trees and bushes formed almost a continuous arch over the pathway.

(Photo - 09) The stone fence, which lines the left side of this part of the path, supports and prevents a dead tree from falling across the trail.

(Photo - 09a) The light and shadows add interest to the moss-covered side of the pathway.

(Photo - 10) As the pathway continues, it crosses the stone fence between two trees.

(Photo - 11) A little farther down the trail, the path again crosses the stone fence. Mary is standing in the opening.

(Photo - 12) As we hiked along the trail and up a hill, we came to a "T" with this direction sign set in a carpet of moss. We decided to follow the trail to Beacon Hill Road.

(Photo - 13) The first part of the trail leading to Beacon Hill Road was richly endowed with these carpets of moss, particularly along the left side.

(Photo - 13a) This is a closer look at one section of the moss that lined the side of the trail.

(Photo - 14) One of the nice things about having a camera with macro-photographic capabilities is that we are able to see much more of God-created detail than we can with the naked eye. An example is presented in this close-up of the moss.

(Photo - 15) This is another "ant's eye" view of the moss. Moss may look like a fuzzy carpet to us, but to an ant and many of God's other little folk, the carpet of moss becomes a dense jungle..

(Photo - 16) Reaching the top of a rise, we could look to our right and see the airport where we had landed less than an hour earlier.

(Photo - 16a) This is a slightly closer look at the Block Island Airport

(Photo - 16b) This photo shows a landing airplane that is 10-12 feet above the west end of the runway (right). The white cone on the left is a "VOR" navigation aid. Also on the left side of the photo, we can see the horizon line formed by the sky and the Atlantic Ocean.

(Photo - 16c) This is a closer view of the eastern side of the airport. Our plane is parked on the ramp (between the two trees). On the right side of the photo we can see Old Harbor, our walk's destination on this day.

(Photo - 16a) This is a slightly closer look at the Block Island Airport

(Photo - 17) Violets were also growing along this part of the trail, adding to the beauty and interest of our hike.

(Photo - 18) We are always awed by the intricate beauty and detail of God's creation. This violet is one such example

(Photo - 19) Farther down the trail, we came to an unmarked fork. We decided to take the path leading to the right; and continuing our hike, we were again able to see across to the airport. After reaching Beacon Hill Road, we continued our walk into town.

(Photo - 20) Leaving Beacon Hill Road, we walked along Old Town Road where we spotted this historic monument

(Photo - 21) We continued our walk into town and went to eat our lunch in a park on a hill that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. We sat on a rock while we ate, and watched and listened to the ocean and seagulls.

(Photo - 19) From the top of the bluff, watching the waves roll in was very relaxing..

(Photo - 21b) It's fascinating to watch the waves break against the rocks. Each breaking wave is slightly different from the previous one.

(Photo - 22) Having finished eating our lunch, we decided to walk down to the beach for a closer look at the waves and rocks.

(Photo - 23) This is a close-up view of a part of the rock we were sitting on. When we look at a rock this way, it becomes more than just a rock; it becomes a beautiful crystal collection which has been speckled with lichen.

(Photo - 23a) This is an enlargement of a larger growth of lichen that was on the same rock..

(Photo - 24) This is a larger patch of lichen that was growing on the rock.

(Photo - 25) On our way to the beach, we decided to stop and photograph these flowers which were growing around the gazebo in the park.

(Photo - 26) This photo gives us a closer look at the beautiful detail of this flower.

(Photo - 27) These beautiful little flowers were growing up through the grass. After taking this photo, we continued our walk down to the beach..

(Photo - 28) When we arrived at the beach, we began walking along the hard-packed wet sand just above the water line of the breaking waves, and enjoying the soothing vistas and sounds.

(Photo - 28a) There is a beauty in the way the remaining water and foam from a wave roll up on the beach, and the way the water rolls and polishes the stones as it recedes back into the ocean.

(Photo - 28b) There is beauty in the gentle roar and splashing water of the breaking waves as they advance toward the beach.

(Photo - 28c) There is beauty in the rocks and waves as they come together in ever changing patterns of splashing water and foam.

(Photo - 29) Another wave breaks over the rocks as her sister wave rushes forward to do the same.

(Photo - 29a) It is interesting to watch how even the smallest of waves curl over and splash as they approach the beach.

(Photo - 29b) As we allow ourselves to be drawn into the coastal beauty, the cares of the world, with all its pain and suffering, seem to be washed away, as the waters wash the rocks.

(Photo - 29c) It is also interesting to see how tenaciously the barnacles, moss, and rock weed cling to the rocks and grow despite the constant pounding of the waves.

(Photo - 30) Wave after wave broke along the rocks and rolled up on the beach.

(Photo - 30a) This is another look at the patches of moss growing on the top of the rocks and the rock weed clinging to the top and sides of the rocks that are interspersed with the speckled white calcium carbonate deposits of the barnacles.

(Photo - 31) There were times when the ocean would become very calm.

(Photo - 32) During these calm periods, the waves would barely break.

(Photo - 33) Mary took Frank's picture in front of the rocks after a small wave broke.

(Photo - 34) As we continued to watch the ocean, the waves began to increase in size again, and break as they rolled in toward the beach.

(Photo - 34a) And once again the waves began to splash and throw water into the air

(Photo - 35) We started walking along the beach again, and saw this rock with its straggly "coiffure" of rock weed being "shampooed" by each incoming wave.

(Photo - 36) This rock also had a little "gem" collection of multi-colored stones that was also being continually washed by the waves.

(Photo - 36a) Another foaming wave recedes revealing these sparkling "gem stones." This section of beach doesn't have many seashells, but it certainly has some beautiful stones.

(Photo - 37) This is another look at some of these multi-colored, polished stones.

(Photo - 37a) We suppose by this time you know that we appreciate the natural beauty of creation, such as these stones provide.

(Photo - 38) As we walked along the beach, wave after wave rolled in over this rocky shore line.

(Photo - 39) We paused again to sit on a rock and watch.

(Photo - 40) We watched the splashing waves against the rocks..

(Photo - 41) And we looked out over the ocean toward the horizon.

(Photo - 42) As we began to walk along the beach again, we stopped to photograph the barnacles on this rock.

(Photo - 42) The circular whitish calcium carbonate deposits are secreted by the barnacles for protection, but all that remains of them are these deposits. A few small living barnacles (without the calcium carbonate deposits) can be seen on the left side of the photo.

(Photo - 43) This is a closer look at some of the small barnacles that have attached themselves to the rough surface of the rock

(Photo - 44) On our walk back to the airport, we stopped to photograph this circular patch of lichen that was growing on a rock.

(Photo - 45) This is a closer look at some of the lichen.

(Photo - 46) After photographing this light and shadow contrasting lichen on the rock, we headed back to the airport and flew home. In all, we had walked and hiked about 8-10 miles. It was a very enjoyable day. We hope you enjoyed your Internet journey with us, too

Lamb Right Lamb Left Presented here are just a few of the countless components of God's creation. Just as we cannot have human and animal life without water and plants, neither can we have lasting peace without love and compassion. It is our hope and prayer that this series will motivate people to live and act in a cruelty-free manner; that we would no longer hurt or destroy each other, the animals or our environment.

Block Island, Rhode Island, USA: 30 April 2003 Excursion
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