Rhode Island

Dripping in wealth and opulence, the "mansions loop" south of Newport on Rhode Island is something to behold.

The residences here are extravagant in the extreme.

The word "chateau" doesn't do them justice; "castle" would be better.

"Marble House" as an example uses 500,000 cubic feet of marble. Excessive much?

We had a bit of a laugh driving our lovely little house on wheels past some of these monstrously obnoxious temples while gazing out at the spectacular views (where visible) that the owners have the pleasure of enjoying.

For the most part those views are theirs alone, with the rocky outcrops and ocean glimpses guarded by privacy hedges and fences.

Wherever you are able to glimpse the ocean, you immediately understand why so many well-heeled types built their homes here.

Earlier in the day, we had driven up the eastern side of the Sakonnet River from Sakonnet Point and thought how lovely rural Rhode Island was.

Almost as soon as we crossed from Massachusetts, we encountered waist-high rock walls as a feature separating home sites.

The drive up the 77 was incredibly picturesque and quaint and didn't hint at the grandiose to come over on Rhode Island itself.

That night we found a campsite on the Charlestown Breachway, on the southwestern edge of the state.

The boys had a fantastic play on a lovely white sand beach, reminiscent of home.