TMC

My time in the smallest of the 50 states was very undulating, like its coastline and much of the state itself. I have not given myself much time to reflect on the peaks and valleys of my tenure. Studying at the University of Rhode Island in South Kingstown, there were many great and truly unforgettable times. But great times are only great because of context. I spoke briefly in the mount Washington post, how hiking helps you understand perspective; looking down at the valley you were in from the peak you are at is part of what makes the peak the peak. Man were those great times good… and those bad times, pretty shitty. We can dive deeper into my undergrad years later on, probably after I reflect on it on my own. This post will be dedicated to the state. Which, in fact, I don't really like. I enjoyed my time there, and URI is a sound school but the larger state I hold no love for. 
There are many reasons for my distaste, none of which matter now; that is not why we are all here, and there is no reason to dwell on the negative. So let's go through the good. Rhode Island is tiny. You know this. This is lovely because things are close together. The farthest corner of the state is max of 45 mins away. Public transportation can get you across the state pretty easily and cheaply. Secondly, besides Providence, the least interesting city I know of, the state is largely suburban/rural. This bounty of nature makes for beautiful landscapes views, with an abundance of back roads for cruisin the coastlines, hills, and forests. My personal favorite aspect, which one could guess, is the uniquely vibrant and breathtaking sunsets. 
That is the primary thing that Rhode Island has going for it. Like giraffes are to the whole planet, Rhode Island sunsets are unique. I've seen quite a many sunsets; I haven't seen everywhere. I do plan to travel more and see something that blows my mind away even more, but if you go to Rhode Island, you need to stay for the sunset. Period. That is what will make your trip because the time you spend there probably will be crappy. I kid. Hopefully, it isn't, though it most likely will; the sunset will make up for it because there's just nothing like it. 
URI has a beautiful campus; it's definitely one of the main aspects that sold me when I first visited. Despite it being a rainy day, on my first welcome day, I didn't mind. I still loved it. 
The pictures I took on campus are primarily of nature. URI has a beautiful campus, another one of the reasons that sold me. I don't know why, but the walk to the library from the Union, or the quad, is still distinct in my mind. I have many pictures of the quad and surrounding trees. I often liked to sit before going to class at Ranger or Davis. 
My first house off campus was on Harbour Island, a small peninsula in Narraganset. Betty hill was uniquely nestled; you could witness both sunrises and sunsets from the dock. I'm looking up now at a canvas print of a Betty hill sunset with the flag pol, dock, and boat. I remember this day… this sunset, so vividly. The sky was glowing, radiating those vibrant colors. It was one of those moments in my life I will never forget. There's no other way to describe the magnificence besides visually. That's why I love taking pictures because you can't always describe what you are seeing. Ri sunsets with such displays happen moderately often; this one for my vantage was extraordinarily unique. But you can often catch vibrant light shows often enough. This is why I hold Ri in such high regard, the regularity of epic displays.
I wasn't on the water my second year, just near a beach (not complaining or anything). However, my junior year, I stayed at a second house where I was on the water. I faced the east, and I had a balcony to myself, so I would get blasted with the sun's rays at the sunrise every morning. Like a direct shot, line drive to the eyeballs. I already was a morning person, so I would be awake, but this was just like I gotta get out of bed and go look. My favorite mornings were the traditional foggy New England day breaks. Dawns were crisp, cool, calm, and still. Immaculate.