Well after almost 30 odd years away from the wheel of a cab I've succumbed to the asphalt Gods and taken up cab driving again for the summer months in beautiful downtown Newport Rhode Island. Long gone are the "Checker Cabs" I drove down these city streets replaced by various models of sedans and mini-vans, better on gas mileage (now hovering at around 4 bucks a gallon) but lacking the character and chutzpah of the massive yellow beasts of a bygone era, not unlike the guilded age mansions here or the quaint colonials, another page in the history books, gone but never forgotten by at least some of us cab enthusiasts. Gone as well are the taxi stands on Washington Square and America's Cup Avenue much to my dismay, replaced by the stand at the Gateway Visitor's Center/bus station, guess it wasn't in keeping with the pc vision of the City by the Sea, same reasons the merchant sailor statue in front of the Seaman's Church Institute was hauled away some years ago, sighs....
Pics, gossip and news around Newport to come soon, gratuities greatly appreciated :)
