I went to mapquest and checked out a possible route. Starting at the east end of the Newport Bridge or Newport Grand, we would take the JT Connell Hwy towards downtown, to America's Cup Ave, to Thames St, them right on Wellington Ave, then right on Halidon Ave, right on Harrison Ave, right on Castle Hill Ave, follow Ocean Ave around the coast line, then left on to Bellevue Ave (mansions location), right on to Memorial Blvd (rte 138A), go by first beach, to Purgatory Rd, to Sachest Point Rd, to Third Beach Rd. Then we do an about-face back to Memorial Blvd, go over the hill and back to Thames St or America's Cup Blvd, to JT Connell Hwy to the Newport Bridge, then Bay St through downtown Jamestown, right on Hamilton, then on to Beavertail Rd out to Beavertail State Park.

Possible side trips off the above route: Fort Adams State Park, Castle Hill Inn and the Castle Hill Lighthouse, Goat Island Causeway to Goat Island, Fort Wetherill State Park, and whatever mansion we decide to visit.

I can't be positive on all the street names but if you go to mapquest, and put in Newport RI you can get an aerial view of what I'm speaking of by adjusting the zoom and side-to-side views.

Is this what you were thinking of when you thought of doing a Newport Hookup?

Bob M.