Goddard Memorial State Park: swans of Rhode Island

Squawking Swans and Marine Vistas

by Patricia Cummings

photos by James Cummings

On April 10, 2003, we headed to Rhode Island to visit son, James. As we drove south along the road through Massachusetts, and into the tiniest state in the nation, the first thing we noticed was that the bright sun of the last few days has been erasing the last traces of late season snows that we experienced in New England within the last week. In New Hampshire, our flowering spring plants are still covered with the white stuff, whereas south of here, hyacinths and daffodils were already in bloom.

James and his wife, Rebecca, live in an historic district situated on Narragansett Bay. We were pleased to see that since our last visit, a brand new historic marker has been added to the front of the house. The sign is white and is hand carved and the letters and numbers are painted blue.

Old House Built by a Ship Builder

Decorated with wooden shells, the marker has the name of the original owner of the house plus the date that it was built (1743). The “kids” love the antiquity of their house, and enjoy learning about the history of the town. The "Betsy Ross" (American) flag and the Rhode Island flag flank either side of their front entrance, making the house appear very patriotic.

Goddard Park

Since it was James’ day off, he asked Jim and I if we would like to take a hike with him and his dog, Emma, at nearby Goddard Memorial State Park in Greenwich Cove which is a part of Greenwich Bay, also a part of the Narragansett Bay area. The park has extensive trails and beach areas. (Both literary-minded people, they named their white German Shepherd for the protagonist in Jane Austen’s Emma).

Emma Loves to Run

The dog readily got into our little car, very excited to go for a ride, and even more exuberant when we got to our destination. Her senses were titillated as she ran ahead of us on the trails, periodically detouring to crash into the underbrush at the sides of the trail, seeking out the source of forest sounds, and gulping at small remnants of snow to quench her thirst.

Swans in Salt Water?

The long, winding trails lie parallel to the deep blue water of the bay which was gleaming in the sunlight. From our much higher elevation, I suddenly spotted a white Trumpeter swan through the tree branches, and then another! Continuing along the path, we saw four more swans. This was utterly surprising. I did not think that swans lived in salt water areas, and have never thought of them as anything other than domesticated, especially in New England. Yet, here they were in the middle of nowhere, apparently unfed and uncared for by man.

Swans

Swans: An Inspiring Sight

Little did we know, when we descended the trail in order to walk along the pebbly, reed laden beach, full of drift wood, wood wash -ups and spent sea shells, that we would see large groups of swans. First, we saw the pair again, then eight together, and then another nine, gently bobbing up and down on the water surface, and riding out the more extreme wave action caused by a boat in the distance. At one point, Emma had jumped into the cold water and had started moving toward one of the male swans. However, he created such a startling racket and performed such a display of wing batting on the water that Emma was deterred from her intended course of action.

Emma the dog and swans

Emma's Exuberance for Shaking Up the Status Quo

In spite of my creaky, arthritic knee telling me that the walk should have been a bit more abbreviated, I felt happy to share the beauty of this early spring day with the two guys in my life whom I love best. Of course, it was fun to be with Emma the Dog, too. She is quite a character, as only dogs can be.

Emma the dog and swans

Lovely Sights

The distant marina with its yachts covered up for the winter, speak of a not too distant time when the bay again will become bustling with activity. One of its leaning buildings of the variety of ‘going, going, gone,' seems symbolic of how we New Englanders think: just a little bit differently, a little bit tilted, and perhaps from a distinct angle than the rest of the world.

On this bright, lovely day, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the promise of spring, little problems melted away. The budding leaves, forest plants popping through the earth, and the smells of both rotting leaves and fresh saltwater, were a treat to the senses. Of course, the dog was happier than all of us, retrieving sticks, her energy seemingly endless as she persisted in bounding to and fro. She was also enthralled to meet a few canine peers along the path.

Nature v. the Greater World

In contrast to being home, listening to the events in Iraq on CNN and hearing the constant bombardment of other news, this day away was a welcome respite. Spring cannot come any too soon this year, with its eternal promise that in spite of it all, life goes on. Better days are coming for us all. We must cling to those relationships that enhance our lives and we must take time to do the things that make us happy. There is no greater gift than to share one’s time. I am grateful for this time with my loved ones. The swans, which were the overriding image of the day, will hold fast in my memory, a symbol that, at least for now, all is right in my world.