PUPPY PICKUP AND MANSIONS IN NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND

We lost our Sheldon  unexpectedly in January.  Sheldon was a special member of our family.  A  wheaten terrier/mini poodle blend made for the perfect size (25 pounds).  He traveled everywhere with us and hiked many miles in the North Carolina mountains.  Here are a few of my favorite pictures of Sheldon.

Sheldon’s first creek crossing in Panthertown.  12 weeks old

Sheldon’s first boat ride

Sheldon and Ralph on Lake Glenville , NC

Sheldon ringing the scares bears bell.

Sheldon was known to bark at a few bears.  He could always smell them if they were near our mountain home.  He also wore a bell on his collar to alert bears of our presence while hiking.

Sheldon on top of Whiteside Mountain

Sheldon and Dave

Sheldon in his protective glasses waiting for the Solar Eclipse.  On Little Green Mountain in Panthertown, Cashiers, NC

Sheldon on Gorham Mountain, on Mt. Desert Island, Maine

Sheldon loved our dock on Amelia Island too.

4th of July on our dock

Sheldon’s last hike up Whiteside Mountain

RIP Sheldon.  Your ashes have been spread in the special areas you loved.

Dave and I  knew we wanted another whoodle and after researching we found a breeder in Connecticut, close to Providence RI.

Knowing we had to fly to pick up our new puppy, we decided to fly into Providence,  and  visit Newport, Rhode Island.  We stayed at Cliffside Inn, a lovely bed & breakfast with views of the famed Cliff Walk.  We stayed in Beatrice’s Room, named for Beatrice Turner, who made the mansion her summer  home from 1907-1948.  “A fascinating and sometimes mysterious 20th century painter and Newport legend, some of her original work still adorn the walls of The Cliffside Inn today.”  Click here for more history on The Cliffside Inn.

Newport is known for its elaborate mansions, stunning harbor views, views out to the ocean, historic waterfront with many shopping and dining  spots.  Our favorite lunch spot was The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar on Commercial Wharf.  We just had to have a lobster roll. They have two on the menu and we had both.  A cold Lobster Roll with lemon-chive aioli, celery on a toasted brioche roll.  Warm Buttered Lobster Roll, crispy , toasted brioche roll.  Dave and I split the two.  Although both were good, we loved the warm buttered one.

The view of the wharf from our table

We ate dinner the first night at 22 Bowen’s on Bowen’s Wharf

The food was good, not great.  I had filet, Dave had fish.  It is pricey and our table was not great.  Outside is better.

The next night we had drinks on the lawn at The Chanler.  What a beautiful spot.

Then on to our favorite dinner spot.  The White Horse Tavern  , America’s Oldest Tavern, est. in 1673. A colonial gem.

From their website…”The White Horse Tavern is the “oldest operating restaurant in the U.S.” and is acknowledged as the 10^tholdest in the world.”

We were seated in our own private alcove and enjoyed a wonderful burrata & heirloom tomato caprese salad.

 

Steak Frites-8oz. Filet Mignon, Arugula Salad, Parmesan Truffle Frites, Roasted Garlic Butter

I ordered White Horse Tavern stemless wine glasses to ship home.

During the days we visited 3 mansions.  Pretty spectacular. The three we chose were The Breakers, Cornelius Vanderbilt II guided age mansion.  Marble House, Alva and William Vanderbilt home.  Rough Point, Doris Duke’s mansion.

Now on to the main event of the trip!  Puppy Gotcha Day or  Puppy Pick up day!

We were 3rd on the list to choose our puppy.  We had 7 puppies to choose from as 2 had already been spoken for… 5 males and 2 females.  We had already decided we wanted a male and boy was it had to choose.   They were all precious…but we decided on a spunky merle coated boy.  He has black and gray markings along with tan on his face and legs. He even has a white spot on his chest…and raccoon eyes.

Meet Norton!!!!  He’s precious!  (Named Norton after Ed Norton from the Honeymooners.  Our son has a French bull dog named Ralph as in Ralph Kamden).

NOTE… The rug is now rolled up.  Even though his potty training is going well, it’s much easier to wipe up the wood floor when needed.

I’ll keep you posted on Norton’s progress…

Welcome Norton!  We’re in love!

Come celebrate with me.  I’ll save you a seat in the doghouse.