Michael Webber

Tag: Rhode Island

  • COVID Sunsets

    COVID Sunsets

    My wife and I have been going on long weekend bike rides for several months now. The COVID pandemic has given us extra time in our busy family schedule to discover a new date night-exercise opportunity.

    We schedule our start time so that we’re arriving at Colt State Park just in time to see the sunset. Regardless of the weather conditions or cloud cover, that’s our goal.

    The East Bay Bike Path offers great views along the Rhode Island coastline, passing through various areas including an industrial seaport, small cottage home neighborhoods, parks, and large estate homes.

    Sunset at Colt State Park on December 28, 2020

    Some weeks the temperatures are extremely cold and we’ve had to pack hand and foot warmers. On other weeks the wind is the biggest challenge. We even attempted the trip when ice cover large sections of the route.

    Once we see the sunset at Colt, the ride back to East Providence is dark and temperatures drop fast. Views on the return trip switch to nighttime city lights.

    The rides have become a routine and something to look forward to on the weekends. We always take photos of the sunset regardless of the weather, we have a growing collection of photos that I hope to create an album with at some point.

    Colt State Park, January 23, 2021
  • Taylor Swift’s Rhode Island Mansion

    Taylor Swift’s Rhode Island Mansion

    Taylor Swift's Rhode Island Mansion
    © Michael Webber

    June 2015 – A view of Taylor Swift’s Rhode Island Mansion from the adjacent public beach. Located in the town of Westerly in the coastal village of Watch Hill.

    The double fence and large sea wall visible in the photo are fairly new. Taylor Swift spent several million dollars renovating/constructing the wall. There was a bit of controversy over the sea wall, here’s a local Providence Journal article that explains it was all completely legal, but frustrated some.

    The day we visited the area there was at least one security guard roaming the grounds. You can see him sitting near the flagpole on the right-hand side of the photo.

    Taylor Swift spent approximately $17.75 Million in cash for the property in 2013. According to USMagazine.com the property is 5 acres, 65ft from the ocean and the mansion was built in 1930.