Tuesday, Aug 5

The couple we met on the ferry yesterday told us about some mansions in Newport, RI, which were built by the Vanderbilts.  They highly recommended it and we decided to stay at the hotel where we had landed on Monday and go to Newport.  So glad we did!  We toured the “Marble House” built by one of Commodore Vanderbilt’s granddaughters.  She had the entire house (outside and inside) built from marble.  A lot of it was imported from Italy and this home really showed how people who have lots of money that they don’t work for can really spend it.  The home was beautiful but just so extravagant! 

From there we went to another home built by one of Commodore Vanderbilt’s grandsons.  This was “the Breakers.”  Again this house was absolutely fabulous but to show how wasteful spending can have disastrous results – in 1948 the owner had to sell it because they could not afford to maintain it.  Since no one would buy it they eventually sold it to the Newport Historical Preservation Society for $1.  The will of Commodore’s daughter established a trust to maintain the Breakers. 

These homes were fantastic, beautiful, and SO extravagant!  On the grounds of the Breakers I saw a tree that I really liked.  It was so unusual that I sent a picture to Justin (he is majoring in horticulture) and asked if it would live in our area, where I could find it, and how much it would cost.  The answer I got back was that it took 30 to 40 years for this tree to grow and he didn't think we would want to wait that long!  HA!  One thing about the tour was that both homes had a wonderful view of the harbor.  The rear of these homes are as beautiful as the front.  After we finished the tours we located Enterprise and arranged to have the car serviced (the oil change light came on).  While we were waiting James noticed a picture of the Boston Red Sox baseball field and 2 chairs.  The owner told him that the chairs are original and he got them from the field.  Naturally we had to have our pictures made in these chairs.  We got back to the hotel at a reasonable hour and both agreed - GREAT DAY!