Tailwind Traveler
Block Island
Rhode Island, Just ten miles off the southern coast of Rhode Island lies one of the New England region's most fascinating destinations. Block Island offers the traveler wonderful sandy beaches, clean blue waters, bicycle and hiking trails, a nature conservancy, bird watching or spending a lazy afternoon under an umbrella reading your favorite novel. This is a fantastic day trip for a family, a couples get-a-way weekend or mid-week summer vacation. Do not forget the spring and fall times either. The local merchants and the Chamber of Commerce refer to May-June and September-October as the "shoulder season", analogous to a roadway being the high season (July & August) and those months representing the shoulders. We'll talk more about this notion later.
There is something for everyone, children, teenagers, young adults and the senior set. Old Harbor is a boater's haven and watercraft of every size, shape, style and kind (ferries to small skiffs) are tethered to the dock or moored close by, under the watchful eye of the harbormaster. These current day mariners enjoy the sun, food and beverage in the ultimate safe harbor. It is only a short walk to one of the many BI restaurants that line Water St., Old Harbor's main street.
Flying There
For us aviators, BI airport (BID) is inviting, friendly and well managed and maintained. Depending on the wind, your approach may take you in right over Old Harbor as you line up for a landing on runway 28. If the wind is out of the east, then expect runway 10 and you'll approach from the western shore. Either way, keep your eyes and ears wide open as a CAVU day will bring a lot of traffic into the pattern from all directions. Make sure your crosswind techniques are up to snuff too, as you'll often find a northerly breeze testing those crabbing and slipping skills.
The airport (BID) is easy to spot and is located in the middle of Block Island, some 10 nautical miles off the Rhode Island coast and about 13 nautical miles from Montalk, Long Island's western tip. Runway dimensions are 2502 by 100 of paved surface. The Sandy Point VOR (117.8 SEY) serves the airport. Since it does require over water travel, advisories can be obtained from Providence Approach on 125.75 or, Boston Center at 124.85 and it's recommended that a reasonable "power off" glide altitude be maintained until your close to the island's shoreline.
Instrument approaches include RNAV (GPS) for runway 28 and runway 10, a VOR/DME for runway 10 and a VOR for runway 28. The CTAF is 123.0, AWOS 134.775 and parking instructions can be obtained by dialing in 122.85.
A caution for VFR only pilots and airplanes is the advection fog that can roll in swiftly and without much warning. On more than one occasion this Tailwind Traveler experienced this weather phenomena. Being IFR current sure does help make these occasions safer. Make sure you know your weather signs, systems and check your WX briefing regularly. In addition, there is no FBO at BID so, avgas and other services are not available on the island. Plan your fuel burn accordingly with a stop at Newport (UUU) or Westerly (WST) before or on the way home. Block Island has a $10 landing fee and $15 for overnight parking for light singles.
Airport to Downtown
Downtown, in this case, is the part of Block Island known as Old Harbor and it's a short taxi ride to the harbor taxi stand. Here you'll find the Chamber of Commerce office, a public restroom, showers and lockers. The lockers cost $3.00 for the day and tokens are purchased in the Chamber office. Pay careful attention to the locker instructions since once you lock the door you can only open it once for the price of the token. If you use the lockers make sure you take what you'll need for the day with you.
There is only one town, it encompasses the entire island and goes by the name of New Shoreham. The taxi ride cost is a mere $6.00 from the airport to Old Harbor, or to the Hotel of your choice. For the heartier pilot and crew, a walk of about 3 miles will get you there as well. Expect it to elevate your cardiovascular system, perhaps even allow you to eat an extra dessert and give you a quick taste of the Islands various modes of transportation. In addition to walking, they are bicycles, mopeds, scooters, motorcycles, cars, jeeps and taxis, taxis, taxis. The taxis are inexpensive, the drivers are warm and friendly and they contain an abundance of local lore, fact and information to help make your visit to Block Island a pleasant and memorable one.
Places to Eat
Choosing a place to eat on Block Island can be a test, depending on your appetite, wallet, and culinary interest. Block Island offers 44 eating and drinking establishments catering to a wide variety of tastes. You can choose the casual, finger food style with baskets of fish ‘n chips, hot dogs, chicken baskets, burgers & fries, wraps, ribs and the like to the elegant presentation of lobsters, steaks, prime ribs, veal, roasted duck, smoked fish or sea bass specialties, or a four course, price fixed offering and much, much more. Dress ranges from beach wear to dresses for the ladies and jackets for the gentlemen. Casual attire, shorts and shirt with a collar is acceptable even at the more elegant settings. However, jackets are not required anywhere. Pick up a copy of the Block Island Guide at the Chamber office, or from most merchants, for a complete listing of location and menus. This free publication is very useful and packed with valuable information.
Lodgings
As you might expect, Block Island presents a remarkably broad array of lodgings, from the harbor side hotels to the quaint and quiet B & B, such as the Blue Dory, the Gables or the Gothic Inn to more grand Victorian hotels just outside of town. Price varies considerably from season to season, place to place and most require a minimum stay on summer weekends. "Shoulder seasons" offer some really excellent values in lodging. Spring and fall lodging opportunities are plentiful and particularly the fall weather can be spectacular. A little research via the Internet or by phone will prove to be a wise investment of time. If you have not reserved a room and wish to spend the night or weekend then when you arrive at Old Harbor be sure to check in with the nice folks at the Chamber office. They will help you find a room. Oftentimes there are last minute cancellations that become available.
Things to Do
Like going to the beach? Well, Ballards, in Old Harbor is adjacent to the ferry boat dock and has with one of the two public, sandy and guarded beaches. The other is Town Beach, once called "State Beach" with a fully equipped bathhouse and pavilion. Admission is free. For other more remote beaches, check the BI Guide for a complete listings and directions. There are about a half dozen more beaches available on the island.
Booking a tour of Block Island is a great way to see what the island has to offer and get a good feel for some interesting activities. Many of the taxi operators offer these tour services. You can check out them out at the taxi stand at the harbor or call many of these operators listed in the Block Island Guide.
Does hiking or bird watching interest you? There are 25 miles of walking trails known as Greenway Trails with 11 access points on this 10 square mile island clearly described in the BI Guide. Conservation is a catchword on Block Island and this community hosts the Block Island Conservancy, Block Island Trust and the Nature Conservancy plus other private and public conservation groups. The BI Guide offers a complete description, location and map for this activity.
On the Fourth of July, BI presents the best "home town" parade seen anywhere in the good old U. S. of A. At least in this Tailwind Travelers opinion. It is a must see and this year the 4th falls on a Monday and that means a long weekend. A room will be next to impossible to get, yet we've been flying to BI for the 4th for years and have always "lucked out" and got one of those last minute cancellations. I don't recommend you rolling the dice on this one, I am only sharing our experience and good fortune. Many of the locals will describe the parade as "funky", but, I'd call it homespun! It begins around 1:00 PM and the route takes in Dodge Street and Water Street right past Old Harbor. Plan to get to the Old Harbor early enough to grab a table for lunch at on of the restaurants on Water Street, then you'll be able to enjoy the festivities in the shade and comfort, while consuming a great lunch. You just have to see this parade!
Getting Around
Bikes, bikes, bikes are everywhere and 1,000 bikes are readily available for rental in several locations in and around Old Harbor and just about any destination on BI is only 20 minutes away by pedal power. If Mopeds are more to your liking, then with a valid driver's license and quick check out, you can be on your way. Rental cars are available, but you should reserve one in advance as they go very quickly, especially during the summer months.
Shoulder Season
Great values, small crowds and easy access are all available during Block Island's "Shoulder Season". Defined earlier, this unique seasonal phenomenon offers any Tailwind Traveler an exceptional and distinctive get-a-way for rest, relaxation and to recharge the batteries that are so often drained by our daily lives. Rooms are very reasonable and readily available from the simple to the extravagant and everything in-between. The spring season is . . . . well, spring in New England. So check the weather and plan accordingly. It is still beautiful! The fall, now that is something else. Fall in New England is legendary and once you've seen a Block Island fall you'll want to come back over and over and over. Block Island plays host to many weddings in September. Some of these nuptials include the rich and famous, while other are those that want to make this occasion even more special and nothing can do that any more than a Block Island wedding in the fall. Just about everything that is available during the "high season" is available in the shoulder season, only at a more reasonable price and perhaps more bountiful supply.
By Steve Cunningham