JUNE 2007

Volume 2, Issue 5

SHUNPIKING #1

Shunpiking  (Def) -  Avoiding major travel arteries. 

While our interstate road system is a marvel unto itself, and certainly helps us to get from point A to point B in a convenient and timely manner, it often bypasses some of what America was, is and will continue to be....people and places.  When we travel, we often take our byroads, reflecting back to the writings and meanderings of Charles Kuralt and Jack Kerouac in the decades of our youth.

We'll do a series on where we shunpike best, and, since we live in this great part of Rhode Island called "South County", let's start with some of our local best back road jaunts here in South County.

                                                                    ROUTE 91

Route 91 begins near the Connecticut Line and goes east through the villages of Bradford, Burdickville, and Wood River Junction, terminating at the intersection of Route 112 in the village of Carolina.  Many of the dams which powered the 19th century textile mills in this part of the state are still around.  Even some of the mills are.  There are several spots along Route 91 where you can stop and see them; maybe even catch a fish!  If you want to mail a letter or postcard,  there are also several small - I mean really small - post offices along this route where waiting in line is a rare occurrence.  You might even get a chance to see the Acela Train as she goes through South County at over 100 miles per hour.  At the intersection of Route 112 (a nice shunpike by itself) in Carolina where Route 91 ends, you can turn right and connect with South County Trail in Charlestown, or turn left and connect with Route 138 in Richmond.                                  

                                                         MINISTERIAL ROAD

Ministerial Road, Route 110 in South Kingstown, is a peaceful 7 mile trek from it's southern end at Route 1 in Perryville to its northern end at Route 138 near the URI Campus in West Kingston.  Forever protected from the ravages of straight road engineering through legislation enacted by our late Senator John H. Chafee years back, Ministerial Road reminds us of how this entire area must have looked centuries ago.  This month the native Rhododendron and Laurel along the road really bring it to life, and in the fall, the trees display the great colors New England is so noted for.  Worden's Pond, Rhode Island's largest natural fresh water pond, is just west of Ministerial road, and is accessible by going west on Worden's Pond Road (at the only traffic light on Ministerial Road).

                                                     SOUTH COUNTY TRAIL

South County Trail (Route 2) begins at the intersection of Route 102 in North Kingstown (right opposite Oatley's Restaurant), and is a 15 mile trip through the towns of Exeter, South Kingstown and Charlestown, terminating at the Intersection of Route 1 in Charlestown.  Schartner Farms, on your right just after you leave Route 102, is a great stop for local produce, flowers and plants.   Farther down on the left is the family owned and operated Homestead Restaurant, where you can grab a great lunch or dinner, and their clams casino are almost as good as mine. The only traffic signal on South County Trail  is about halfway, at the intersection of Route 138.  This light is scheduled to be replaced by a roundabout in the near future;  years ago it was a Rotary, so it will be nice to have it back, even though it will now be called a "Roundabout"; the J Michael Bennett Roundabout.  South of this intersection, South County Trail passes through the Great Swamp, some of South County's numerous turf farms and the Narragansett Indian lands on its way to Charlestown.  A couple of miles south of the turf farms you will see a sign on the left for the Nordic Lodge.  It's only a couple of miles away, and really out in the boonies, but if you are hungry, and I mean REALLY hungry, this is the place for you.  They serve up an all you can eat buffet that, while fairly expensive (it's $70.00 this year), simply cannot be matched - it looks like a centerfold spread from Gourmet Magazine.  Farther down South County Trail, Rippy's Marketplace on the left is a convenient stop for sundries and offers an extensive selection of wines.  The Gentleman Farmer Restaurant, a bit farther down on the right, is a locals' breakfast and lunch stop.

So there are three of our local roads that offer up some of the charm and history of South County.   Hope you have an opportunity to enjoy them.

Thanks again for stopping by.  Happy Shunpiking!!

Jerry Saywell