The city of Providence is like any other city & we intend to explore the historical sites tomorrow, but today because the sun is shining we are off to explore the surrounding towns of tiny Rhode Island and into Massachussets which surrounds Rhode Island on 2 sides. The GPS is set to avoid to the motorways which are a bit scary and off we set northward. We stumble along the Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park. As we pull up in the River Bend Farm Visitors Centre, a man raking up leaves (a never ending job) & wearing a bright orange jumper and camouflage pants is anxious to tell us that "it is now hunting season so if you want to go for a walk, you should be OK on the marked trail along the canal bank". It was then I knew why he is wearing orange and why some people we see heading off are wearing orange vests like the RTA roadside workers! This man who turns out to be the local fireman and part time worker at the information centre, invites us in to have a look at the exhibits in the hayloft. Here is a farm-to-factory story about the changing landscape and lifestyles during the American Industrial Revolution. Our new friend is full of information and even gives us tips about Boston as he used to be a cab driver there. We both think "he wants a tip" but when Brad offers him a few dollars for his time as we leave, he rejects it and says it just gives him pleasure to tell people about the history of the area. Wonders will never cease!! We head off on the 3.8 mile towpath trail where horses walked while pulling barges to and from the Stanley Woolen Mill. I'm wearing a bright aqua top which should be very visible to hunters...... hopefully! Along the way, we hear a gun shot ring out which makes me jump but a group of people with a stroller walking towards us don't even bat an eyelid - just the way it is here.

Another stop for us is the pretty little town of Sturbridge where we take lots of pics of a halloween display created by school kids and of course more pretty foliage pictures.

Three doors down from our accommodation is the Camelia Restaurant, which features Armenian food. Being so close, we have to go and we find that the food is excellent and very reasonably priced, making a nice change. The couple who own it have been operating it for 32 years and plan to retire soon. He is 72 so I'm not surprised.