ROCKS WE HAVE VISITED
PLYMOUTH
HAZARD
HANGING
ERIK
PLYMOUTH Rock. I get it, geographically-close tourist attractions are often taken for granted. But I don’t know – (I’ve never been, I’ve taken it for granted), Plymouth Rock seems to be the epitome of underwhelming tourist attractions, from what I’ve heard.
Catherine visited Plymouth Rock with her now sister-in-law, Ruth Howe, a few summers ago when they were both working at Pinewoods Camp in Plymouth. I think it’s safe to say they weren’t overly impressed. Seemingly no photos were taken of the historically important artifact/landmark.
Has anyone else visited? If you do go, please send me a post card with all the exciting details of your visit spilling outside the little writing space on the backside of the card.
HAZARD Rock is located in Narragansett, RI. Hazard Rock (more accurately rocks) is/are located at the end of Hazard Avenue and is a location occasionally heard about in news reporting of tragic events involving people going out on the rocks to view raging waves brought on by an approaching hurricane and then getting swept away by said angry, dangerous waves. Please don’t do that. I haven’t been there in ages but can say I’ve only been during more stable weather patterns and it really is quite beautiful. But again, don’t go when there’s a storm-a-brewing.
HANGING Rock is located within Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown, RI. The official name is Hanging Rock but I think many locals refer to it as Pride Rock as it does bear a resemblance to that rock formation in the Disney movie The Lion King. I believe there have been a few attempted Hillman Hikes for the Norman Bird Sanctuary but I don’t know that they’ve ever come to fruition. I’ve been to the sanctuary a few times but only to Hanging Rock once. It was easily 15 to 20 years ago. I remember having video equipment with me, capturing footage for a class I was taking. I don’t remember the assignment or if/where I still have the footage. Regardless, Hanging Rock offers a sweeping ocean vista, get out your planners and calendars and schedule yourself a trip. You will not be disappointed.
The last rock in the grouping is here to trick you as it’s not a naturally occurring geological coherent aggregate of one or more minerals but rather a troll sculpture fashioned from re-purposed wooden materials. ERIK Rock and his counterpart, Greta Granite, were created by artist Thomas Dambo (and a team of volunteer workers) in 2024. I believe several family members have trekked to Ninigret Park in Charlestown to see them.
I’ve heard rumor that Rhode Island will be getting another troll by the Danish artist – maybe in North Kingstown, maybe this summer? Anyone got an update on that?
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CARS GIL AND CLAIRE OWNED
CORDOBA
DART
STATION WAGON
STUDEBAKER
This grouping has a mix of things I’m 100% sure of and things to which I welcome correction or input. In the 100% sure corner: Gil and Claire absolutely had a Chrysler CORDOBA and a Dodge DART. I know this because I drove them both and ended up buying the (1975) Dodge Dart from them (my first owned car). John Nickelson was the co-signer on my loan from the Davisville Credit Union – thanks John!
The Cordoba was a beast of a car, like monstrously large and it was fancy with lots of extras; an in-dash clock, a moon roof, maybe even cruise control. And let’s not forget that fine Corinthian leather! I think I would be terrified to drive that car today but back in the day I did love it. I was especially fond of the moon roof.
In the “welcoming correction/looking for input” sub-group, I have included the generic “STATION WAGON.” I have no idea what make or model Gil and Claire would have had but I’m sure there has been a station wagon or two registered at The 461 over the years. I seem to remember a white one with red exterior trim. Does anyone else remember this or details of another station wagon? A few weeks ago, we had a puzzle featuring drive-ins as a grouping – surely, some of the siblings went to the drive-in in a station wagon, no? And how you go on a road trip vacation with 10 kids – well, I guess ya gotta have a station wagon!
The other car I have listed in this sub-group is a STUDEBAKER. Here I have to admit, I have no particular memory of a Studebaker, but it seems to me they must have had one at some point. Maybe the car that Bev and Jan are standing next to in the graphic below is a Studebaker. Someone help me out on this one.
As much as I love the graphic above, I realize it may not be at all helpful for anyone trying to identify the type of car in the picture with Bev and Jan (and a cat) so I’m including the image by itself as well. I tried to identify the make and model of the car using Google Lens but had no luck. In the graphic above you’ll see the 1975 Dodge Dart parked outside my house on Nausauket Road. The image of the Cordoba is from the web, I couldn’t find a photo of Gil’s in my collection. The larger picture on the left in the graphic is of The 461 (back when there was that driveway on Old Baptist Rd) and some vehicle I can’t even begin to identify. Another vehicle I do remember my dad having though was that blue pick-up truck with the camper on the back. Anyone else remember that thing?
Incidentally, I found this interesting tidbit about Studebaker when I was putting this post together.
In 1938 the Studebaker company planted a mini-forest of pine trees in an area nearly a half mile in length near its test track in Indiana. When viewed from above it was clear the trees were arranged to spell out “Studebaker.” The copse of 8,259 saplings grew to a fully-mature woodland changing the overhead visage as it did so (ironically the growth of the stand somewhat correlates with the company’s decline). The property has changed hands several times since Studebaker selling it in the late 1960s and it is currently part of Bendix Woods County Park. After Studebaker ownership, the woods suffered decades of neglect, storm damage, and invasive species doing their invasive things. While the Studebaker “sign” still stood and was discernable, it was a bit rag tagged. Between 2012 and 2015, Bendix Woods sought and received grants allowing for the removal of dead, damaged, and diseased trees as well as the planting of 2,000 replacement pine saplings ensuring visibility of the sign for air traffic and satellite imagery today and into the foreseeable future.
NK/EG “USED TO BE” LANDMARKS
POST OFFICE
ALMACS
BENNY’S
JOLLY JON’S
I often hear that giving directions with references to landmarks that “used to be” (there) is a Rhode Island thing. Is this true? It’s just us?
Regardless, my grouping of used-to-be’s includes two in North Kingstown and two in East Greenwich. In NK there’s “where the POST OFFICE used to be” and “where ALMACS used to be.” To be honest, I think it’s funny that the “new” post office is where the Almacs used to be. Also, although I know I’ve done it, I can’t really come up with a location that I’d be giving directions to that would include “where the post office used to be.” For the younger generations here, the post office used to be where there is now a bank, across from the entrance to Wilson Park.
Any other NK used-to-be’s you find your self uttering? Where the Red Rooster used to be? Where the Irish Pub used to be? Where McDonald’s used to be?
Moving north to East Greenwich, we have our beloved BENNY’S. And Benny’s is a fun one because it has at least two used-to-be locations for me. The most recent used-to-be location is in the plaza just north of where Hilltop Drive-in used to be but on the other side of the street in the plaza right next to the shop where the guy that carved headstones used to be. I still call this the Benny’s Plaza.
The older Benny’s used-to-be location is now the liquor store on Main Street.
The other East Greenwich used-to-be location I use is JOLLY JON’S. This is at the intersection of Post Road and Old Forge Road. Jolly Jon’s was a fast-food/burger place. I think it hasn’t been in business since the late 60s. There’s quite a few things in that location now. Ritrovo restaurant is there as well as a Woman and Infant’s facility and several smaller business entities. I believe I have used the Jolly Jon’s used-to-be descriptor with my kids who have absolutely no knowledge of Jolly Jon’s but I’ve used it often enough that they now know where I’m talking about.
Other used-to-be references in EG for me: The Goody-Goody Store; Pal’s; Alias, Smith, and Jones, the music store (think instruments, not records) that was at the intersection of Post Road and First Avenue/Rocky Hollow Road. What was the name of that place?
JAN – IT’S HER BIRTHDAY TODAY!
QUIDNESSETT SCHOOL
READER, HIKER, SWIMMER
ALOHA
We all know that Jan taught at QUIDNESSETT Elementary School for many years. She is an avid READER and leads a family-based book club. She’s a HIKER and a SWIMMER as well. She and John lived in Hawaii for several years embracing the ALOHA life.
Jan, we all hope you have a great day!
13 responses to “May 10, 2025 – Puzzle Discussion”
I not only got it but on one try! Chris & I loved the Cordova too! We borrowed it a couple times for longer trips! It’s funny I remembered all the car makes/models but it was always just a station wagon. Nothing more specific than that. I believe the Studebaker is the car that you shifted with buttons that would fly into the back seat when you change gear.
Never went to Plymouth Rock or if I did I forgot it. One of our hikes was to Normand Bird Sanctuary. Beautiful spot. We also went to Ninegret to see the Trolls.
Funny that your kids know where Jolly Johns was! I don’t remember the music store at First Ave. Only the one further up the road on Main Street. Main Street Music. It was between the Old Benny’s and the old Alias Smith + Jones.
And lastly…HAppy Birthday Jan!!! Have a great day!
Norma. I think you’re right about the push buttons. I think Jan might of driven that once in a while.
I still use Jolly John’s! Sometimes the Picnic Grill,The Corner Tavern, Almac’s in EG and always Zekes.
Norma – “Never went to Plymouth Rock or if I did I forgot it.”
🙂
Also I remember doing Sunday morning papers. Dad drove us around, we’d put the tail gate down on the station wagon and sit back there. I have a question was it just one station wagon or did we have more than one over the years?
Oh! Yeah, I can’t say I remember riding in a station wagon with the tailgate down but I’m aware that you guys did that when delivering papers – had forgotten though. And I think there was more than one station wagon. I remember the Blais family’s station wagon was blue.
I remember doing that!
Happy birthday Jan. Have a great day.
Got it in one try. Of course knowing it was Jan’s birthday made it a little easier.
Remember the Cordova and Dart.
And yes I got it in one try!
Also I have been to Plymouth Rock. Been only in the last couple of years. Went with Lou,Mary and Bill. I think Brian went when in school.
I recently also went to Charlestown to see Erik and Greta. Erik’s sign was missing and I did not realize that was his name. I have also seen the 5 trolls up at the Botanical gardens in Maine. So I’ve been to 4 rocks.
GOT IT!!!! Did go in and out a couple times but did get it!
Happy Birthday Muffin!!!! Adorable pics of Muffin.
Love the used to be locations and the old cars!!! I don’t know much about Studabakers but they are mentioned in that Bill Joel song, We Didn’t Start the Fire.
And the Cordoba sounds super fancy!
I will mention with the rocks, some of us also visited Balance Rock one year when we wimped out on climbing Monadnock and climbed Wachusetts instead! I’ll send you a pic, Nancy.
I originally was going to use Bass Rock instead of Hanging Rock. Amber mentioned it as a place to include in our Mavens and Monsters movie – as a RI icon but when I looked it up I couldn’t figure out how any of us would have visited – it looks like it’s in the middle of Narrow River. Maybe there’s another Bass Rock?
Yes:
Harry Truman, Doris Day, Red China, Johnnie Ray
South Pacific, Walter Winchell, Joe DiMaggio
Joe McCarthy, Richard Nixon, STUDEBAKER, television
North Korea, South Korea, Marilyn Monroe