#AtoZ Stay home! Wear a Mask! "M" is for MISQUAMICUT
It seemed appropriate this year to feature a theme that kept me close to home, so I give you my A to Z within the small acreage that is Rhode Island. I tried to be creative (you’ll see!) but I hope you learn something about Little Rhody, too. Whether you’ve lived here all your life, grew up within the boundaries, or have never set foot on one of our many beaches, come along for a virtual tour.
Misquamicut (Mis-SQUAM-eh-cut) is part of the town of Westerly, as close to Connecticut as you can get, and is a Narragansett word meaning "at the place of the red fish," or "at the salmon place." The land was purchased from Chief Sosoa of the Montauks in 1661, and the name was changed from Pleasant View (which it does have) to Misquamicut in the 1920s.
For residents of Connecticut, Misquamicut is a popular destination, as it's the first beach on open water (the Atlantic Ocean) you come to when driving east to Rhode Island from Connecticut. Connecticut's coastline is on Long Island Sound, and the relative calmness of the water compared to what can sometimes be wild ocean in Misquamicut is a draw for many. Misquamicut also has a lively night life, which is an attraction for some and a deterrent for others.
It was a cold day when I took these photos at Misquamicut Beach! So cold I didn't venture down to the shoreline. Desolate in winter, too, but on a hot summer day, the beach is packed.
There's over a half-mile of beachfront here, and lots of activities for kids. The waves are usually pretty big, too, so take care!
