Two quick notes:
1. I decided that I may not run much for the remainder of the year, depending on my stupid leg/hip. I have two fun holiday-themed races coming up and, other than those, I may limit my running to allow better healing of my issues and during that time I’ll focus on strength.
2. Yesterday, Tara and I headed to Newport for a helicopter tour of the Newport Mansions. We received a generous early Christmas present from one of her grandmothers for the two of us to take the tour and it needed to be used by a certain date in December, so we figured no time like the present since we had an “open” weekend. What was supposed to just be a trip down there for the helicopter ride turned into an entire outing while we were there. We did the helicopter tour, a tour of Fort Adams, lunch at O’Brien’s Pub, dessert at the Newport Cookie Company, walked around the shops on Thames Street, sunset at Easton’s Beach and then a tour of The Breakers mansion that we flew over earlier in the day. FYI – there are no pics of the inside of the mansion because they are not allowed. It was crazy though! So much fun was had that I didn’t want our adventure date to end! Enjoy some pics!
My anxious face pre-flight. I’m not a great flyer, so I was nervous but the helicopter was actually much smoother than a plane!
Getting my headset ready!
Newport Bridge
The red roof is actually The Breakers, that we toured later
Not sure which mansions these were – the pilot didn’t say.
Fancy prep school
Fort Adams
On top of the fort
Lots of restoration going on
Inside the listening tunnels
Lunch involved Captain Crunch. This version was much more delicious than the cereal.
Rochambeau and I will show you the way!
Sunset at the beach
The Breakers mansion tour – built by the Vanderbilt family
Moonrise over Newport
This was the children’s playhouse! Crazy!
Just me and my old friend, Neptune. I think the moon is photobombing me.
My cute souvenirs from the day. Since I drink coffee now, I decided I’m going to collect mugs when we have adventure dates. I got the “keep calm and eat cupcakes” mug at the Newport Cookie Company and the other one at The Breakers.
Don't blink. Just run. 
What an amazing tour.
Have you considered seeing a sports med chiro? I go once a week to a guy who is ART certified and specializes in athletes/active people. He is the only thing that keeps my injury prone self moving.
I actually have. I’ve been researching places in RI and was thinking maybe I could do once a month (I can’t afford co-pays for weekly appts) after the New Year, when our new insurance kicks in and Tara is added to my plan. That will save us some decent money each month not having to pay for her private policy anymore. Just need to find one that has the hours and location I’m looking for! Is there anything in particular I should ask about a place before choosing?
The last place I went to was not as good because I felt they didn’t understand my goals. I would ask and make sure your chiro focuses on sports med and treats lots of runners. They understand our particular type of crazy. Also, I would look on the ART (active release technique) website and see if canyon in your area practices.
The tour looks awesome! I hope you recover soon! Injuries/pain super sucks 😦
It was so fun! And thanks!
Bahhhhhhh I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS! Seriously. I’ve always wanted to do one of those helicopter tours. My coworker did it with his girlfriend this summer and I thought it was so cool. I have to say, my heart skipped a beat seeing the bridge. There’s something about it that just instantly makes me feel at home. I’ve never been tothe cookie company but it’s on my list!
Bummer that your leg is bothering you so much, but the rest will do you good and hopefully it heals fast! Running theme races for fun instead of seriously is more enjoyable anyways 🙂
I understand what you mean about seeing a certain landmark and feeling home! I would highly recommend the cookie company. I got a cupcake that was pretty good, but Tara got an ice cream sandwich the size of my face. They let you pick what cookies you want and then what ice cream you want and they jam it full. It was almost ridiculous. LOL
Love the pics! Looks like a lot of fun! 🙂
Thanks! It was super fun!
Wow those are great photos. And I am fairly confident that the “children’s playhouse” is significantly larger than my actual house! Glad you had such a great time.
Yeah, that playhouse bordered on ridiculous actually. We couldn’t go inside of it, but I would say it was easily half the size of our house.
Loved the photo tour, and sounds like a great adventure.
I particularly appreciated the aerial shots because there is no way in hell I am ever going up in a copter unless i’m being forcibly evacuated from somewhere. They give me the willies, congrats for being so brave about it!c
It was so much smoother than an airplane though! I think you would be fine! 🙂
Newport is such a great town. I’d love to do a helicopter tour!
It really is – and it’s even better off-season! LOL
Wow what an amazing day and adventure! Looks like you guys had a wonderful day!
It was awesome! And thanks…I’m hoping it’s the right choice too.
Sorry about the lingering leg/hip issues too. That may be the right decision though until you are back to 100%
Great pictures! But the helicopter tour scares me!!
I think you would be OK!
Awesome pictures! Not sure I could do a helicopter ride!!!! Ahhhhhh
If I could do it, I bet you could! I don’t like flying, but the helicopter was so much smoother than a commercial plane.
Wow! That helicopter ride looked insane! I’m terrified of heights, so I don’t know if I could do that or not, but it looks like you two had quite the adventure date!