Newport, RI: my second look

It is amazing what a warm (not hot), dry bed and a good night's sleep will do for a person. It is high tourist season in Newport, which explains the price of the accommodations out here. They are more than we can generally afford. I was ready, after the first night in mildew heaven, to pack sand and head back to school because it seemed the best option.
Luckily, my husband has a way with people. He called around and found this wonderful couple, (so wonderful I can't say enough good things about them) who run the Sarah Kendall house and who cut us a serious break because he is in the military, to take us in for the few days I am here. It is the best hospitality I could ever ask for. Breakfast is AMAZING. They served a spinach and mushroom quiche which was as light as air and was among the best food I have ever tasted. Breakfast is truly a feast fit for royalty. There is so much food of so many varieties available; it is almost overwhelming. They serve water and beer in the afternoon. Fran and Bryan (the proprietors) know all the best places to eat and visit in Newport and can be relied on to make sure you lack for nothing while you stay with them.
Bryan is the decendent of a Union soldier who won the Medal of Honor. He was shot 5 times while carrying the Union flag into battle and lived to tell the tale. His tintype, a gift from his wife, stopped the fatal bullet. It is an amazing story and it is all lovingly preserved for all to see. Bryan, himself, is a Vietnam Veteran and retired school teacher. They own 2 bagel/bakery shoppes in the area, and let me tell you, they are totally worth going to. The blueberry muffin I had was amazing.
So after having a great night's sleep and an amazing breakfast yesterday, thanks to Bryan and Fran's incredible hospitality, I admit I feel much better about Newport, RI.
In many ways this place is a kitschy tourist town, but it does have a great history, or histories depending on how you see it. The Gilded Age Mansions are partially preserved in the area and in addition to the beaches, these are a major tourist draw. The intrepid can walk to all of these from the B&B, otherwise there is a trolley and or you can drive over there. The Firestone family (of Firestone Tires in Akron OH) once had two houses here, in addition to the Vanderbilt's and others. One of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and Oliver Hazard Perry are buried here.
On the other side, the Navy has been established here for a long time. This was a large commercial shipping port and at one time the Brits had their Naval base here, which they used to attack New York. They eventually abandoned it and the French took it over. There are streets on the base named for the French who did this. Then the US Navy took it over. As you walk around the base, you will see lots of pineapples incorporated into the decor. This is a throwback to when sailors would return to port and bring pineapples from abroad. They would be placed out on the front porch to indicate their safe return and invite their friends and neighbors over for rum to celebrate. Of course, any tradition that incorporates rum is a good tradition in my opinion.
Senior Jefe did get all checked in and weighed in. He has lost so much weight and is 9 lbs from his official ok weight and well within the safe limit when they taped him. I tried to tell him, but at least now he is not so worried. The PRT is in 10 weeks, so he is going to try to lose the remaining 9 lbs in that time and be thinner than when he was commissioned.
Department Head School is no joke. Their day starts at 0730 for class (earlier if you PT) and ends at 1730, but studying goes to 1930 or later, everyday. They warned everyone to tell their wives not to expect to see them. They have at least a 15% fail out rate and one of Senior Jefe's friends who was in the last class lost his orders because he has failed out of the previous class. So word to the wise, don't expect to see your spouse. This isn't a big deal for me, because I have to go home and study for comps, but I just thought it should be mentioned. If I were not at school myself, I probably wouldn't have PCSed up here for 6 mos. anyway given that information.
And that's what I know about Newport, RI