When In Newport ----

One of the fun things about traveling is trying different regional foods.

I am an adventuresome sort, and will try anything once, twice if I like it --- if I love it ---there is no stopping me!

Unless it comes to raw oysters ----I know some people love them, but if you are supposed to let things slide down without chewing them, what’s the point?! :c)

Even sea food is a regional delicacy ----for instance, when I go to the NC coast, Lisa and I love to stop at the Provision Company for conch fritters. OH MAN are those good!

Down on the gulf coast, shrimp, crawfish and other delicacies come with a very distinct Cajun influence…..

When visiting Maryland, it’s Old Bay seasoning on the blue crabs…all the way! And you’ve GOT to get your fingers messy with the seasoning in order for the seasoning to transfer from the crab shell to your fingers, to the meat --- MMMM perfect! ((Take it this way---if your cuticles and pin-pricked quilting fingers are NOT burning from the salt and spices, you aren’t doing it right!))

Tonight was my last night in Newport/Portsmouth ---- and we went down to the waterfront for clams at Flo’s Clam Shack! What a fun place!

And this is the biggest platter of fried clam strips I’ve ever seen. I like mine with cocktail sauce ((Cocktail sauce on wide cut fries is really good too!)) But up here in New England, it’s tartar sauce and lemon all the way.

Edna had hers “WITH BELLIES” Which was a term I’d never heard of ……I tried some of hers, it’s the whole clam with no missing parts, and a very distinct clammy flavor! Strong, but good.

Christa and Tim joined us ----he ordered the fish & chips….and in this case…the FISH is SINGLUAR --- that was the biggest platter sized battered and deep fried fish filet I’d ever seen!

There was more food than we could finish, we ate on the second floor over looking the bay and watched the evening sky go dark while enjoying great conversation, laughter and new friendships.

As the evening got darker, Edna drove me over to First, Second and Third Beaches --- and the wildlife refuge until daylight was no more. As we headed back toward Middle town --- all the house lights and city lights along the shore line gave off a beautiful Newport glow. This is just SUCH a wonderful place to be --- I’d love to come back and do some more exploring!

Tomorrow morning Edna is picking me up around 10 am to do some more sight seeing ----I’m hopeful I’ll load the camera with walking pictures of mansions from the front as we walk down the street --- my flight home isn’t until 4pm ---so we have a partial day to play!

As for tonight….as soon as I hit SEND on this --- this girl is hunkering down to stitch some blocks in my room ----this evening and tomorrow morning belong to ME!