Block Island is the most interesting and exciting location I have ever visited in the airplane.
A good friend and retired air force pilot, Steve, and I decided to take a trip with our bicycles in the summer of 2022. We planned the dates of the trip and made arrangements to be away from work, but we didn’t decide on where to go until the last minute. We discussed going to the Florida Keys or the Gulf Coast or somewhere up north. We had to keep our options open mostly because we needed to be flexible in case bad weather conditions developed in one region or another. It was summertime and very hot and with clear weather up the north coast, we quickly eliminated Florida.
The day before we were to leave, I opened Google Earth on my computer and started looking for islands off the east coast, as far north as Maine. I had once heard of Block Island but didn’t really know much about it. I wasn’t looking for it. Rather, I stumbled across it – and when I did, I was hooked. I called Steve and told him I think I found our destination and asked him to check it out. The morning of our departure we decided to go to Block, with a stopover on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.
On our way to Block, we had a wonderful view of Manhattan out the left window. Next, we flew over Long Island and the Hamptons and Montauk. Then we were “feet wet” for 14 miles over the ocean before arriving at Block. The images and footage of Block Island are stunning as we made left traffic for Runway 28. Left traffic required us to fly northbound over the ocean off the east of coast where we had incredible views of the cliffs and lighthouses.
Upon our left turn toward the runway — which is a short 2500 feet in length — we had to pay particularly close attention to our flight path and speed to ensure a smooth landing.
After getting out of the airplane, I knew we hit pay dirt. Greenville, SC was 90+ degrees when we left and Block Island was 78 —in the summertime! Steve and I had a blast on Block, great restaurants, cold beer, and really interesting things to see and do — the lighthouses, kayaking in the Great Salt Pond, the beach and the “Sacred Labyrinth.” Of course, biking on the island is incredible with good hills and great views all providing for a nice workout!
I highly, enthusiastically, wholeheartedly (you get the idea) recommend Block Island. For planning purposes, Block is only accessible by small aircraft, boat, and ferry. New England Airlines provides air transportation to the island from Westerly, Rhode Island.
