Beach Day Rhode Island Style

OK, now that I've gotten over my post-vacation depression, it's time to talk about our beach bum life style we've adopted.  Living in Rhode Island means summer time is beach time.  We go to a beach almost every day and if we don't go during the day then we go in the evening and eat dinner and swim until the sun sets.  Now here's the lowdown on beaches in RI.  It's called the Ocean State because there are a lot of beaches {and because calling it The Teeny Tiny Slightly Bigger than a Pinhead State doesn't have much appeal} but most beaches cost money to go to which is super annoying.

Tiny Rhode Island

Our first summer here we were bored every Saturday because I didn't want to fork out the big bucks or fight the crowds of tourists to spend the day at the beach.  Now that we've lived here longer we have found a few free beaches and less crowded beaches only locals know about that are worth paying to enjoy.
There are lots of State beaches that require a purchase of an annual beach pass which is $60 for the summer.  It's a pretty good deal for unlimited trips to the beach, however, they are crowded and attract a rough group of people so I avoid them completely. Typically the better the beach, the higher the cost.
Our favorite go-to beach is Narragansett Beach.  It's only a few miles away with great sand, big waves, and outdoor showers.  During the day it's $10 to park and $8 per adult.  Luckily kids are free.  We have only gone to this beach once during the day because it's free starting at 5:00pm every day so this is the beach we go to for dinner.  We have a standard meeting place so anytime we go there we usually see someone we know.
Our other favorite town beach is Gooseberry Beach.  It's $20 to park, free admission, and it's in Newport so it's surrounded by huge mansions {think Downton Abbey mansions} and is adjacent to a private beach for those super wealthy people that have never worked a day in their lives.  It has bathrooms, showers, a concessions stand, plenty of lifeguards, and calm water.  Packing for a day (10-4) at the beach is now a fast routine despite how much stuff we take.  In fact, we're better at getting out the door for a beach adventure than getting to the bus for school!  But the consequence of our countless beach days is our house has sand everywhere!  We even have sand in our fridge.  I'm not kidding.  If Randy would let me I'd install an outdoor shower.  Lots of homes have them out here and it makes sense.  It's a wonder there is any sand left at the beach after we've been there.  And yes, Parker still eats sand like it's an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Bean wanted to dig to China so he came prepared

Park's sandy pizza was a special treat.  He ate the whole thing!

Good thing I have a van or else we'd never have enough room for everything.  I took this picture before packing the bag of towels, bag of food, shovels, the umbrella, sand pad, and beach cart.

Narragansett Beach = waves

Landon spends the whole time jumping the waves

Golden Hour.  On the East Coast the sun sets behind you at the beach. 

Parker keeps Randy warm

I can rarely catch a wave but not these kids.  They catch every wave every time.

The boys love climbing the rocks at Gooseberry

The floating dock provides hours of entertainment, especially when we saw a private helicopter land at the house behind us

So cute.  So sandy.

Bean pried open this huge clam.  So gross!  He tried to eat some of it but quickly realized it wasn't worth it.

Our friends at the beach.  The green pad is a cool sand-free mat.   Check it out. 

Gooseberry mansions