As this summer winds down, I am reminded of a summer's' end long past. This was the time that I anxiously awaited my children's return from their first summer at camp. After seven weeks, I longed to see them, and to hear of their adventures away from home. I wanted to kiss their sun freckled faces and touch their golden tanned skin. I ached to hold them close and breathe in the sweet child-smell of them. I missed them... but not more than their baby brother, who counted the minutes to their return.
It was the first summer all of our family had been separated. My two older children had spent the summer in Massachusetts at sleep-away camp, my son in Lenox and my daughter at a girls' camp in nearby Peru. Our little four year old son had been in day camp near our home in New Jersey. My husband and I thought it might be fun to pick the two older ones up in Massachusetts rather than have them take the camp bus home, and visit Newport, Rhode Island as a family. I did my usual due diligence and found a beautiful hotel on Goat Island...pool...ameneties...kid friendly...perfect! I made a reservation at a highly recommended (and pricey) restaurant on the wharf, that needed reservations made at least 3 weeks or more in advance. I collected brochures, looked into a side trip to Mystic, Connecticut and was all set! A few days before we were to leave I met a neighbor whose children were the same ages as mine. Her two older boys were also in camp in Massachusetts and her daughter was in my youngest son's day camp. We stopped to chat and she told me they were also taking their family to Rhode Island after camp...staying at the same hotel on Goat Island...and...they were towing their boat up! We decideded to spend the week together...the children would have playmates and we would have adult company...I changed the restaurant reservation from 5 to 10 people...and...we had a plan!
Cars packed...both families on the road...
The family's reunion at camp was wonderful. My daughter was thrilled to relate stories about her newest love...horseback riding...dancing with boys at a social and all the girls in her bunk from "Lawngyland" and a place called the " Foyve Townz". (We swiftly corrected the pronunciation!) She was tanned, a bit freckled, with long and sunstreaked hair ... the beauty she would grow up to be was beginning to emerge. My son exitedly told tales of his athletic triumphs, Color War win, and neat bunk-mates. He had won several awards and was Junior Camper of the Year. Suddenly my little boy was coming into his own. Both children had brought a small gift, made by their own hands in Arts and Crafts, for their little brother. A wonderful reunion indeed! Now on to Rhode Island....
Newport was lovely. We checked into the hotel and met our friends, their three kids in tow, in the lobby. Their camp had ended the day before so they were settled in and on their way out for a walk. The kids were thrilled to see each other and wanted to stay together so we suggested the pool. Our friends went for a run, we settled in and took all six children to the pool.
When our friends returned from their run they told us they had passed a small, family restaurant with a sign that advertised full lobster dinners for $7.95! They went in to check it out, and indeed the proprietor assured them that it was so. They had just gotten a huge delivery of fresh caught lobsters. So we decided to try it for dinner.
The place was sparkling clean and had the requisite red and white checked tablecloths, candles stuck in a wine bottle and wicker bread baskets. My children had never before eaten lobster. My daughter and littlest son adored it at once. Our waiter was sweet and patient as he helped them crack the claws and tail and retrieve the succulent meat inside. Their two little faces were dripping with melted butter, hands stcky with lobster juices ... they were so self-satisfied with their newest skill...lobster eating. Fast learners, my children! My older son, not so much. (Not then, anyhow...today he can take down a 2 1/2 pounder with the ease of the Gorton Fisherman!) All he wanted was a steak. This restaurant had nice, small shell steaks perfect for a nine year old boy's appetite. This meal was a huge success, so much so that we returned several more times for the delicious fresh lobsters and...a steak. At $7.95 who could pass this up? Even all those years ago this was amazingly inexpensive for a lobster meal. Here the children could order steak or lobster and the price was reasonable. We ate at several other places but for lobster, this was the place!
We spent a lot of time seeing the wonderful sights. We toured the great summer "cottages" of the area...
We were awed at the opulence as we toured through these fabulous homes. The boys less thrilled than the rest of us...but when we found a local boat ramp and got our friend's boat into the water, the boys perked up. What fun we had. The children could now water ski and loved showing off this new skill. The days rolled by filled with lots of laughter and family time. At our beach picnics we ate sandwiches or lobster rolls, with cold juice for the children and icy cold beer for the adults. There was also tennis, golf and of course, the pool. It was a divine vacation.
On the last day we chose to just stay at the pool. The children played and swam with the many other children at the hotel...the four adults just chilled...happy and exhausted from a week of child-friendly activity. Tonight was our reservation at the fabulous, well-recommended reataurant. When we called to cofirm our reservation we were reminded that men were required to wear jackets and appropriate dress was necessary for all.
I still have a clear picture of my family as we waited in the lobby for our friends. My husband and two boys wore white linen slacks and navy blazers, the boys with blue and white striped shirts open at the collar...my husband with a solid blue shirt. My daughter and I in sun dresses hers yellow and mine white. Our friends arrived, equally turned out... All of us kissed by the sun, relaxed, happy and hungry.
We took the long walk down a wooden wharf to the very end, where the restaurant was located. The air was cool and smelled wonderful and salty...it reminded me of my parent's home near the ocean. A light breeze was blowing and the sun was about to set. What a perfect last night to our vacation.
The restaurant was beautiful. Every room had a view of the water and the rosy reflection of the setting sun. Tables were set with white cloths and lovely crystal and cutlery. Beautiful blue hydrangias and colorful zinnias were arranged in a white jug centered on the tables. Elegant but casual. No candles stuck in a wine bottle here! And no $7.95 lobster dinner, either!! We waited for our reserved table for ten to become available but the people were not budging. Finally the maitre'd asked if we would mind being seated at two separate tables. We agreed and the children, who refused to be separated, were led to a table for six. The parents were escorted to a table for four about six tables away from them. I walked over, read the menu to the two little ones...the prices were outrageous! I strongly suggested some nice filet of sole or pasta with shrimp or in my son's case, the hamburger. I was informed by the four older and newly independant older children that they were old enough to order themselves and able to help the two little ones with ordering and that my assistance was really unnecessary! I cautioned them to order only what they thought they could finish and assumed that they would realize the difference between the first restaurant and this one and notice the incredibly higher prices.
The four adults ordered a bottle of wine, a fabulous clam chowder and since we were all lobstered out, we had assorted other fishes or seafood. We had just finished our chowder when a waiter passed our table carrying a tray piled with giant lobsters.
Following him was another waiter carrying the largest steak I had ever seen. All four pairs of our eyes followed the waiters' progress as they made their way through the restaurant... and our friend said, "Boy, I'm glad I'm not the one paying for that order!"...and my husband replied..."Wrong!...Yes we are..." as the two waiters stopped at our children's table and unloaded their trays!!! My friend and I walked over to find six well-behaved children silently devouring five humongous lobsters and a steak that was just this side of a roast! Empty shrimp cocktail plates were being removed and second sodas were just served! They surely did know how to order with no assistance from me!!! The meal was truly spectacular...the children actually finished most of what they ordered (and my husband and his buddy finished off the small piece of steak left by my son). It was a costly finish to our time in Newport... Lesson learned...(Some of life's lessons are delicious to remember and are done so with a smile...and just a little butter dripping from the chin!)
I have always loved seafood and fish. Pasta and shrimp is a favorite...Here is a step by step recipe for mine...
Shrimp and Pasta
Ingredients
1 pot boiling water
1 pound large raw, cleaned and peeled shrimp
1 box spaghetti or linguini
12 diced plum tomatoes
1 bunch diced scallions
4 cloves minced garlic
olive oil
1/3 cup white wine
salt and pepper to taste
2/3 cup grated parmigiana cheese
10-12 chffonaded basil leaves
1- Put up a pot of water to boil...
Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large saute' pan
2- Add scallions and as they begin to cook add garlic (do not burn garlic as it becomes bitter) then add tomatoes ...
add pasta to a prepared pot of salted boiling water
3- Add salt and pepper to taste and add raw shrimp
5- With tongs or pasta ladle take cooked pasta from water into saute' pan and mix with tomatoes and shrimp mixture.
6-Toss with basil and parmigiana cheese...if it needs a bit more liquid add a little .pasta water,
Serve with basil garnish
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