To be a Local

In my early 20s I had a summer share in Newport, RI.

A summer ritual was ferrying over to Block Island

with our bikes and touring the island for the day.

I hadn't thought about those experiences for decades.

Riding around Shelter Island on a bike brought the memories right back.

I can't specifically recall the streets or main part of the town,

but the specificity of the adventure was vivid while my bike wheels hit asphalt on SI.

Starting to crave a month in a place like this where the pace slows way down
and an abundance of nature is my daily companion.

I'd like my main mode of transportation to be a bicycle.

A day wouldn't pass without a salt water baptism.

The faces at the beach and IGA would become more and more familiar,

and I'd start behaving more like a local.