Rhode Island is the smallest state, but it's a giant in my book. It's lovely and green, and a pleasant cross between rural and urban. Newport is a charming town and it's easy to see why so many titans of industry chose to build their mansions here. I'd only wished we'd had enough time to see them. We loved the harbor, and the historic places. But was really drew me to Rhode Island, and I'd say it's a top contender for my favorite state, is it's attitude-something like "live and let live". Rhode Island was the first colony to include the freedom of religion in it's charter and the separation of church and state. Tolerance and respect are important qualities that are not always present in the places we visit. If my family and I had been colonists, then I would guess we would most likely have made Rhode Island our home.
