Victorian Inns by the Sea

Blue Dory guests wed at Clay Head Trail

2011-10-06T11:14:00.000-07:00

Blue Dory guests Andrew and Kelly wed at Clay Head trail last Friday. Among our guests this season we have had ten weddings, five proposals, and countless anniversaries ranging from one year to fifty-six years! We love to celebrate!

Belated birthday celebration for LEDA!

2011-09-30T09:31:00.000-07:00

Last night we went to The Oar in New Harbor to finally hang the oar that we painted for Leda's birthday back in June. With the high season chaos it took us a few months to folllow through with hanging it but we figured better late than never.

Thanks for a beautiful summer season!

2011-09-29T12:36:00.000-07:00

We have been on hiatus from social media due to an extremely busy summer season (which is a good thing!). So we would like to thank everyone that came out this summer, it was wonderful to see you! Though Hurricane Irene wreaked no physical havoc on our buildings, it did push summer out quicker than we anticipated.

But we are now geared up for a busy fall; the island is quiet but still alive as the locals come out to enjoy the remaining warm days. So come out to see us! Call (401-466-5891) or check out our website for information about our fall rates and specials.

Hope to see you soon!

Filmmakers on Block Island

2011-04-11T12:09:00.000-07:00

We were thrilled to host filmmakers Kyle S. Glowacky and Mike MacGregor at the Avonlea this past weekend. Hailing from Portsmouth, NH, this was Kyle and Mike's second trip out to the Island working on their film "Manisses."

While working on Block Island this past summer, managing the historic Empire Theater, Kyle became very inspired by the beloved natural beauty of the Island. Kyle and Mike's boundless enthusiasm for the Island is evident in their dedication to capturing every angle on film. While on Island, Kyle and Mike hardly sleep - adrenaline is undoubtedly a major factor in their filming process. They set up their camera atop the bluffs at dusk and then bring it down at dawn, not knowing the secrets it captured until the film is processed days later.

A rough cut of the film "Manisses" (from their first trip out last fall) can be seen here.

Spring is Here on Block Island!

2011-03-29T15:39:00.000-07:00

I just returned to the Island after 3 weeks in Northern Europe and am so glad to be home! I left in late February, with snow on the ground, and I have returned to Block Island spring in all its glory. The blue sky seems endless, and everyone is emerging from hibernation. I am also eating well, as two of my favorite Island restaurants have reopened, Eli's and the Mohegan Cafe. Come out to see us before the crowds arrive!

Getting Engaged on Block Island

2011-02-28T10:40:00.000-08:00

Surprising his girlfriend Shelly with a trip to Block Island was only the beginning of Andrew Christensen's plans. Their day consisted of an exhilarating flight over to the Island, a little bit of Island exploration and then Andrew proposed to Shelly on the jetty in Old Harbor. Thankfully she said yes and neither of them dropped the ring in the ocean! The newly engaged couple then came back to the Avonlea Inn where Shelly was surprised with a bed covered in rose petals, champagne, cookies, candles and more roses, a wonderfully romantic scene that Andrew orchestrated and I, as the innkeeper, executed. After an evening of wine and hors d'oeuvres fireside at the Avonlea, and then dinner and shuffleboard at McNamara's, Andrew and Shelly went for an awakening swim in the freezing cold Atlantic Ocean! What a beautiful and adventurous way to begin their married lives together!

We are so excited that Andrew chose Block Island and the Avonlea Inn for this special moment. It truly is the perfect magical setting for such an exciting and romantic day.

Snow on the Beach!

2011-02-24T11:41:00.000-08:00

Our Block Island snow days never cease to excite me! Unlike on the mainland where snow quickly turns brown as it becomes infiltrated with car exhaust or stacks up into massive piles in strip mall parking lots, here on the Island we get to enjoy the wonderful site of snow intermingling with sand. As the beach is such a symbol of the summertime, seeing the snow interact with the landscape is one of the most interesting seasonal sights.

A few days ago we woke up to what just might be one of our last snowfalls of the season. While I can't wait until the ocean is warm enough for a comfortable swim, I am glad I have sufficient photos of the somewhat surreal site of our beach town under snow.

So, if you want to come out to enjoy the end of the winter with us, we would be glad to have you!

www.blockislandinns.com

Groundhog's Day on Block Island

2011-02-03T11:03:00.000-08:00

Who would want to come out to Block Island in February?! Actually, February is one of Kevin and Mollie Theriault's favorite times to be on the Island. Devoid of the many summer tourists, February is an excellent time for visitors to really be apart of the Island and its quirky off-season events.

February 2nd was the annual Groundhog's Day census at the Albion Pub. Traditionally, Groundhog's Day is when locals come out from their winter hideouts to be counted. Mollie is responsible for checking everyone's math and tallying up the final number, which she announced to be 946 this year.

The Groundhog's Day census counts only those who are sleeping on the Island. Locals who are out of town cannot be counted, nor can the boat crew. Kevin and Mollie were our only two guests to be included in this years number, as they were enjoying a quiet getaway at the Avonlea.

946 includes only humans; as far as I can gather there are no actual groundhogs on Block Island!