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Finished with the interior tour of Doris Duke’s Rough Point estate, we headed outside.

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Where the clouds made a dramatic backdrop.

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Doris loved it here…

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And I have to say…

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I understand why.

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The location is perfect.

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The views of the Atlantic Ocean divine.

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It’s an impressive place to be sure.

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Strolling around the side, we found a gated garden.

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With a warning sign.

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Does everyone have bunnies but me?

😫

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At the front of the estate…

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Wired topiaries of Doris’s pet camels.

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They’re filled with succulents that hadn’t quite greened up yet.

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And over there?

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The formal garden that I had to explore.

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Bit disappointing, that.

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Not formal and nothing blooming in its one small bed.

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The hedge was the best part.

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No matter, it’s still a lovely place to stroll.

And as we were pulling out of the driveway? We passed a time appropriate vehicle.

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😊

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Continuing our tour of Doris Duke’s Rough Point estate… the morning room.

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Because when you’re rich, every time of the day has its own room.

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Family crest stained glass windows.

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The dining room was odd as it was a huge, mostly empty space.

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Doris preferred her table, without extensions, in front of the window

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And this was her absolutely favorite piece.

She loved it so much, she took it with her when traveling.

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Apparently a house is not a home without a giant silver swan.

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I thought this was a nice touch.

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Doris’s record collection only contained vintage albums.

Husband chose Louis Armstrong as he was a frequent guest. You can’t go wrong with Satchmo.

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Multiple kitchens.

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With old, but still working appliances.

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The kitchen was 3 separate rooms.

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All with nice views.

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It’s a very workable space.

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Though I could have done without the plastic veggies…

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And pots full of plastic boiling potatoes.

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I get it.

It’s a kitchen. There was food.

😉

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Fourth morning in Newport, Rhode Island…. fourth balcony selfie.

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I’m nothing if not consistent.

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First stop of the day? Rough Point… heiress and famous philanthropist Doris Duke’s residence.

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Built by a Vanderbilt in 1887 and purchased by Doris’s father, James Buchanan Duke (of Duke energy and Duke University fame) in 1922… this plaque recognizes the original owners.

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Ironically, considering they were pushed off the land along with all the other Eastern tribes.

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Doris Duke’s father died when she was 12 and she was the sole inheritor of his fortune. She grew up here, spent summers for many years, and then lived here year round, off and on until her death in 1993.

Doris was quite a character. Deemed the richest little girl in the world, her life was full of privilege but laced with sadness.

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Entering the home, some history.

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Doris inherited $80 million dollars in 1925.

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A shrewd business woman, she gave away over $400 million in her lifetime.

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A news correspondent, a jazz pianist and the first non Hawaiian woman to take up competitive surfing…Doris lived a full life.

Her “cottage” is a bit different from others we’ve visited.

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Yes, it’s huge.

And grand.

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But it’s also a veritable museum.

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Oh, there’s a Van Dyck.

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There’s a Gainsborough…

And sure, there’s a Renoir in the bedroom.

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But Doris lived here until the early 1990’s, so there’s also a microwave in the kitchen and a record player in the dining room.

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The solarium?

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Had some stellar views.

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And…

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Yes, Doris had two pet camels.

As one does.

Doris loved music, and entertaining.

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The Yellow Room…

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And the Music Room hosted impromptu performances by friends Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra.

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Doris knew how to throw a party.

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