Narragansett, Rhode Island

Is it even a DiFiore family vacation if it isn’t dependent on hockey in some way?!

Day one began with my brother, Nate’s, 4v4 hockey tournament in Glens Falls at 8 a.m. Our departure time for the trip was dependent on the results of this game. Since they won, they advanced to the final round which meant another puck drop at 2.

The six of us were packed and ready to go as we made our way to the rink to catch the final game. After a hard-fought 44 minutes, Nate’s team placed second in the tournament. We said goodbye to our family and headed home to quickly pack the cars before hitting the road.

I drove the four hours to Narragansett, following my parents in the truck just ahead. Sam sat shotgun and was in charge of music while Bryce and Nate sat in the back, resting their eyes and playing games.

After stopping for dinner halfway, we made it to the AirBnb sometime after sunset. The first night we all unpacked, chatted for a little then made our way to bed.

It was raining our first full day in Narragansett. But that didn't stop us. We took the short 2 minute drive over to the beach and walked along it for a little while. But once the rain started to get a little heavier we decided it was time to find something else to do.

My mom got on her computer and found a gilded-age mansion nearby that we could tour: The Breakers.

As you drive up to the mansion, you get glimpses of it through the trees and the 15 foot tall fence surrounding it. After you enter through the main gate you are greeted with a gravel path that leads your eye directly to the grandiose structure that is ahead.

Equipped with airpods and an app that promised to auditorily guide us through the mansion, we entered the great hall.

First impression: taken aback by the crazy high ceiling with wildly intricate features of painted clouds, large 3D detailing and gold covering almost everything.

As we walked through the 48 bedroom, 20-something bathroom mansion, we learned all about the family that lived there, the Vanderbilts, the society they were a part of and the lifestyle they lived.

Afterwards, we enjoyed a yummy dinner, walked around the touristy shops then tried to catch the sunset on Point Judith before we settled in for the night.

The sun came out for day three and that immediately translates to having a beach day. So we packed our bags with towels, beach games and sandwiches then promptly made the quick drive to Sand Hill Cove State Beach. The six of us and our wagon filled with beach-day-necessities settled on the perfect spot to set up camp for the day.

After making a quick pit-stop in the shop right on the beach, Dad, Bryce and Nate came back with shovels to dig a hole with and Del’s frozen lemonades for everyone.

Collectively, we rotated between laying on the beach, cooling down by the water, digging a hole, flying a kite and jumping in a game of Polish. It was relaxing and fun.

Bryce brought his electric skateboard and towed Nate around the parking lot on a longboard, holding a beach towel between them both.

Then in true vacation-mode fashion, we headed back to the AirBnb, washed the sand away and got ready to head out to a delicious dinner.

Mew’s Tavern was the dinner destination of the night. Mew promised 69 draft brews. They had a fun sign on each table that was made up of two license plates. One read “Got Beer” and you could flip it to the other that read “Need Beer.”

I can't remember exactly but I think at least three of us got Mew’s Zesty Burger and it did not disappoint. It had cajun-spice, bacon, lettuce, pepper jack cheese, and house zesty sauce all on a brioche bun. Mmmmm.

After we were stuffed to the gills with dinner we went back home to digest a little before ripping a casual round or two of Beerio-Kart.

If you know Bryce and I, you know Beerio-Kart is a staple in any of our travels and we literally don't go anywhere without the Switch.

Don’t think we’re totally crazy though, we all got to bed at a reasonable hour because the next day was easily the day of vacation we were all looking forward to the most.

Moped Day!!!

We started the day boarding our boat to Block Island, enjoying the ocean views along the way.

Upon arrival to the island we immediately made our way to the moped shop, signed paperwork and the boys began their mandatory lessons in the small parking lot as my mom, sister and I watched the madness ensue.

Imagine a small gravel lot, approximately 10-15 mopeds wide, where everyone does a small circle before moving into the road and doing the same as they learn to get the hang of it.

We watched as a couple fell off their moped in the road, sandwiched between a delivery truck and the bike. Quite the start to the day.

After the boys did their practice laps, the girls hopped on the back of the mopeds and another practice lap was done before we began our adventuring around the island.

In the morning, we saw an old brick lighthouse that looks over bluffs cascading down to the ocean and we explored a walking trail through the woods. Around lunch time we started to get hungry and made our way to a restaurant on the main strip. After some seafood, tacos, wraps, chicken fingers, beer and frozen drinks, we made our way back to the mopeds to continue exploring the island. We found ourselves at a rock beach where we saw seals not too far into the water, another lighthouse with more amazing views.

You'd be hard pressed to find a bad view on this island.

At an intersection we passed a famous-on-the-island rock that gets painted regularly by locals and visitors. When we passed it the first time, it was blue with a shark painted on the front. We drove by at least two more times after that and everytime it was painted differently.

The tradition started in 1962 as a Halloween prank and hasnt stopped since. Allegedly, a section of the paint chipped off in 2006 and the paint on the rock was measured at 1 ¼ inches thick. I can’t even imagine what it is now, considering in the day we were there we saw three entirely different paintings on it.

Another fun aspect of Block Island was looking for orbs of blown glass that were hidden everywhere by local glass blowers. Unfortunately though, despite our best efforts, we left the island without any orbs.

When we disembarked the boat back at the port in Narragansett we stopped at the fresh fish market and picked up a couple lobsters and two pounds of clams.

We brought them home and after waiting an absurd amount of time for the water to boil we got the seafood cooked up and enjoyed them with a spread of charcuterie, chips and dips.

The next day was a chill/work day. Dad and Nate spent the morning and afternoon golfing, I worked, Bryce did research into our next Asia trip and Sam and Mom worked on logistics for Sam’s move to NYC.

Once all the work was done and Dad and Nate got back we all went bowling. Nathan impressed us all with his curveball skills securing his first place spot, Sam shocked everyone by scoring second, Mom and Dad tied for third and fourth, I got fifth place and Bryce found himself barely behind me in last.

Our last full day in Narragansett was spent soaking up the last bit of summer sun on Scarborough State Beach. We walked up and down the water, played some more polish, explored a little broken down stone building, and worked on our tans.

Once late afternoon came around we headed back to the AirBnb so my parents could get ready for their 28th wedding anniversary dinner. While they were gone, us four kids got ice cream, swung by the beach to take some pictures and played a Nintendo Sports tournament on the switch.

A fun ending to a great family vacation filled with memories that will last a lifetime.