September 27, 2015

The Ocean State-Visit Rhode Island with Kelly Kittel



I live in the Ocean State on an island now-named Aquidneck but originally called Rhode Island. Most folks know us as the smallest state in America but it’s a little-known fact that, conversely, we have the longest name—The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Rhode Island is comprised of over thirty islands and my island is the one to which our title refers. In our unique Constitution, we’re guaranteed the right to access our 400 miles of coastline to swim, fish, gather seaweed, and as passage to the sea. As Rhode Islanders, it is also our individual right to dig our toes in the sand daily and collect one-half a bushel of our state shellfish—the quahog

 

I am part fish. I grew up floating and swimming in the Atlantic for many hours of each summer day. Second Beach in Middletown  remains my favorite place to swim. Even in winter, when sculpted snow defines the tideline and ice floats offshore, I return to the sea. Once a month, with one or two friends, I head for Surfer’s End and immerse myself in my salty home. The first minutes are painfully cold, but our motto is, “Once you’re in, you’re in.” As our bodies adjust, it’s both refreshing and exhilarating. We swim out and into Purgatory Chasm, a giant glacial cleft in the rocky shore some ten feet wide and fifty feet deep.  We don’t stay long, but our return to the sea feels necessary. It’s positively addicting.

We have in our blood the same percentage of salt that comprises the ocean. We sweat salt water and cry salty tears. Our bodies contain the same two-thirds percentage of water that covers our Earth. We are tied to the ocean and when we visit, we greet ourselves. The daily pushing and pulling of the tides mimics our own cycles, defining our human existence. Raised on my island, I’ve since traveled the world and lived in many other places. But I’ve never been far from the sea.

I spent much of my career working as a fish biologist but for the past decade I’ve been undergoing metamorphosis into an author. All things oceanic are my favorite subject and when I need a break from writing, I swim. Isak Dineson wisely wrote, “I know of a cure for everything: salt water . . . in one way or the other. Sweat, or tears, or the salt sea.” Here in our Ocean State, we understand this viscerally.

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Kelly gives a lucky person one hard copy of the 41N Magazine referenced in her blog post AND one guided tour of Purgatory Chasm with author by land or by sea when you visit Aquidneck Island! Leave a comment and contact info for your chance to win.

Bio: Kelly Kittel has completed her metamorphosis from a fish biologist who writes to an author formerly known as a fish biologist. She lives on Aquidneck Island with her husband and three of their five children. She has been published in a number of anthologies and magazines, including 41N in which she’s written articles about her favorite bi-valves—scallops and quahogs  Her first book, Breathe, a Memoir of Motherhood, Grief, and Family Conflict, was published in May 2014 and was an Award-Winning Finalist for the International Book Awards.

Kelly Kittel
Mom, Author, Part Fish

10 comments:

  1. How strange, I must have driven through Rhode Island a thousand times in my life, sometimes even spending a night or stopping to visit friends, but more often passing through from Boston to New York. In all that time, I never went to a beach—not even Newport—and never knew or at least didn't think about the existence of islands.It sounds like I missed the best part of the Ocean State.

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  2. A small state, but nifty. I hadn't thought about it as an island, either. Look how much we can learn from this blog.

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  3. Kelly, I've lived in RI my whole life and spent many family outings as a youngster, with my cousins at Second Beach. But, I've never, ever ventured into the water after October! Brrrrrrrrrr! It was so nice to see this well written post about our wonderful little state. Thanks for some memories.

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  4. WOW...here's someone from Arkansas who's never been to Rhode Island, and only waded into the ocean in Florida. So, this is amazing. What a fascinating post. Thank you! Radine

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  5. Been to Newport and through RI many times and never knew all these facts. Thank you for a fish-eye view of your state.

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  6. I love the salt water comments, especially that quote about salt water being able to cure anything. Never been that far east. One of the states to add to my list of places I want to camp in. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. I visited Rhode Island for an arts conference when I worked in public relations. It was such a charming place! We were in Providence.

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  8. RI is a beautiful state. I live in the second smallest state, but more people know RI than Delaware. I especially love Newport and the mansions.

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  9. Rhode Island is the perfect New England state if you're "part fish" or you just love the water. This is especially true if you love surfing or you want to try it out. You guys should check out Narragansett Town Beach!

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  10. Interesting Article. Hoping that you will continue posting an article having a useful information. North carolina authors books

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