Harbor of Refuge

Narragansett Rhode Island hosts a hardworking commercial fishing
fleet and a beautifully gaunt summer colony in an area that feels
like the end of the world. We've spent alot of time there over the
years; lobstering, sailing, and skinny dipping. These three
letterboxes are all drive-ups. We hope you enjoy some of our old
haunts.

The first in our Harbor of Refuge Series, "High Liner" is on the
beach in Galilee, Rhode Island, just south of Wakefield. From the
junction of RI Routes 1 and 108, drive south on Rte. 108 for about 2
miles. Turn left on Burnside Ave and follow it to the end at
Scarborough Beach. Turn right (a left will bring you to the Kurdziel
Family's Midnight on the Moon letterbox) and follow Ocean Drive for
2.1 miles to turn right into the Camp Cronin Fishing Area.

Park out at the end and follow the breakwater or cross the dunes to
find a lovely dark-sand beach. Turn north and follow the cove about
50 yards to an abandoned stone jetty made with old carved granite
blocks, remnants of a forgotten shoreside hotel.

Along the northern edge, find a group of three large flat granite
pieces, each drilled with a hole, next to a short piling. The
northernmost block is cracked, leaving a perfect hiding place
underneath. This is one of those sites that will need careful
rehiding to avoid tide and waves moving the letterbox and sending it
out to sea like a message in a bottle.

"Salty Brine" is a beloved Rhode Island television personality. From
High Liner, head back up to Rte. 108 and turn left at Iggy's on Sand
Hill Cove Rd and follow it past Wheeler State Beach into Galilee. The
road bends right in a one way loop to a stop sign. Turn left and
drive south along the waterfront to Salty Brine State Park. We think
this is the best place in the world to find "Johnny Cakes."

There is a little state bungalow by the jetty with a small deck with
benches on the seaward side. Wait for your moment, then reach under
the northwest corner of the decking up against the shingles for your
reward. Maybe cover it a little with sand when you're done so it
doesn't show through the floorboards.

Finally, return up Rte. 108 north to busy Wakefield and take Rte. 1
south about 3.5 miles to the Jerusalem/Snug Harbor exit. Flip a u-
turn, then exit immediately right. Follow Succotash Rd south to the
bottom, then follow it as it curves north past a couple of docks on
the right. You'll see a large old decrepit pier with parking spots
looking across to Galilee.

On the southern, landward side before the pier, look in the wooden
railings under a pile of asphalt rubble for the "Jerusalem" Letterbox.



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