Today I gathered up the puppy, a Swiss WW2 salt and pepper russack full of keto food, water for the pup, ice packs, etc. and headed to Newport for a little picnic seaside. A lovely drive, very little traffic, I listened to Glass Beams the whole way down. When I arrived downtown to take a left onto Bellevue Avenue, I noticed people gathered on the sidewalks as if they were waiting for a bus.
I’ve never seen that before. As I made my way south towards the mansions, I saw more people gathered. They were wearing large brimmed hats – as if they had been there for some time. Sitting on walls, congregated on corners, sitting in lawn chairs, etc. A parade? I had no idea.
As my car thump thump thumped down Bellevue further, I began to see women in long dresses and formal hats. Boys lined up in cream dinner jackets, red ties, and khaki trousers. A graduation even in mid-August?
As I made the swing at Rough Point and then to take a left onto Ocean Avenue – a police SUV was there with his lights on. I asked him how everyone knew I’d be in town today, to which he laughed only so he wouldn’t make fun of my lame joke, and told me I could continue to Brenton Point only after the carriages past – about 30 minutes. Whot carriages?
And then I saw them coming down Ocean Avenue, drawn by horses, loaded with gentlemen in suits and top hats, and ladies in dresses and suits themselves. I had no idea this was going to happen. Cody sniffing out my open window as they passed, his first smell of horse and salt breeze I’m sure. He seemed quite interested.
A mental trip into what the past must have been like. I turned the music off, allowed the ocean breeze to sweep through my car parked on the side of the road with everyone else, and just enjoyed the moment.
What a great day.