Bret's Blog

As I was sitting at our Narragansett office on Boston Neck Road, watching all of the people jogging by (32 in one hour), I started thinking about the future. It was a beautiful day. The Red Sox just opened up spring training. There were more Connecticut cars on the roads then usual. Clearly spring was coming.

First of all, they might as well put up a running/biking path in on Boston Neck Road/Ocean Road. It is like the official place to exercise in South County, and for good reason. It is flat, straight, long, and beautiful. It takes you past the Jamestown and Newport Bridges, past cows and farmlands, through Narragansett and Scarborough Beaches, past stately Narragansett mansions, and out to picturesque Point Judith Lighthouse.

Also, there is something slightly insane about the people that live around here, because, there is almost the same amount to exercisers in the winter as in the summer. There are also some regular characters that you come to see and appreciate if you spend as much time traveling these roads as I do. There is the one adorable elderly gentleman jogging in sweats who I swear only comes out when it is below 30 degrees. There is a group of young men who every morning break out their tight, weather-proof shorts and jackets and fly up and down the street. A a cute little lady spends her time ambling on around. Then of course there is "Colossus" who literally walks all day and might be the most gigantic man in the world.

These are the people that you come to really look forward to seeing everyday. There is a certain character to New England where what people do doesn't really make a lot of sense, in the most wonderful way. The roads could be packed, traffic backed up for miles, not a spot for a blanket on any of the beaches, and still my stranger friends will be out, jogging or walking or biking as if no one else is around, at least no one worth noting.

So next time you are on Boston Neck Road, or Ocean Road, or any of our beautiful country roads, wave to our joggers, our yearlong spring trainers, and wave to them. But for the love of God don't beep your horn, you might scare one of them to death!