CT: Fairfield County-Redding- Collis P Huntington State Park (Spring 2021)

My first kayak launch in 2021 and I chose this location due to its proximity as well as its character. Park at the end of Dodgingtown Road where you can conveniently drop off and park.

All around you see people mountain biking, hiking, canoeing and walking their dogs. There is an approach to two bridges under which you need to crouch when the water is high. Getting through to the lake opening is always exciting.

A beautiful sight was watching a Momma goose resting on her nest. The Papa goose was nearby screeching to stay away. Ooh he was mad.

I admit, going out after a long workday takes some self motivation and the traffic took me quite a bit of extra time. I always enjoy finding any wildlife checking me out and wondering what they’re saying to one another.

But once out on the water hearing the natural music of the woods and watching the sun set, it felt like the most therapeutic place to be.

NY: Dutchess County-Dover Plains- Dover Stone Church Trail

A short path (about .5 mile) takes you to Dover Stone Church – a cool water cave with a waterfall.

Keep in mind the signs take towards it and the final sign directs you to the other hiking trails to the left not reflecting you are to go to the right for the cave.

Once by the cave, should you choose to enter, ensure you’re wearing hiking shoes and be aware that the rocks can be slippery and unsteady. notice the waterfall in the back and the sun peeking through the top.

Remember to turn around and also look from the inside out! Cool to take pictures both ways!

If you go, know that there is no parking for the site per se. Appears people park at the school just down the road. According to the Dover Stone Church site, Parking is allowable at Dover Elementary School (When School is NOT in Session) 9 School St, Dover Plains, NY 12522

https://www.nynjtc.org/park/dover-stone-church-preserve

I coupled this day with a walk at Innesfree Garden in Millbrook, NY.

CT: Fairfield County- Trumbull- Parlor Rock Park (Spring)

Cascading falls and rock mountains and yet it’s Trumbull! Even biking in the rain turned out to be a great time at Pequonnock Valley Trail!

Biking or walking this trail is a great experience in and of itself. However, pause and literally walk off the beaten path to find yourself taken back to another time where folks frequented the swimming holes and cooled themselves off in the river.

I could sit for hours watching the reflections in the water and the different flows of the water- smooth, bubbly, cascading and always inviting.

Amazing to find this in between main roads and outdoor malls of Trumbull, CT. There’s so much opportunity once you decide to pull of the road and peek.

Referenced below is a blog where I captured some of its background and history.

https://btographytravels.com/2021/02/23/ct-fairfield-county-trumbull-parlor-rock-park/

CT: Litchfield County- Salisbury- Farmington Canal Northern

Part of the Farmington Canal trail, this is considered the northern most portion. I ride it in sections and there’s always so much to see and do I come back and vary it a bit.

Unfortunately due to the pandemic, the flower bridge no longer has flowers to minimize the attention. I came here several years ago to find it adorned with potted flowering plants. I hope to return one day soon to find the same. However, the nearby lot is a good place to commence this portion of the ride.

This is likely one of the easiest trail rail rides I’ve been on. Very flat, wide and I felt no true grade in either direction.

There were also several opportunities to pause and take in the grandiosity of the farm land around.

Fortunately I hooked onto a few cyclists that were riding at a descent but not overwhelming pace which I leveraged to practice for some upcoming rides.

This trail takes you right up to the Massachusetts border. Can’t wait to continue on to learn of their trails as well.

This ride was about 15/30 miles out and back. Below is the link to my write up on the Southern section.

https://btographytravels.com/2021/03/28/ct-new-haven-county-farmington-canal-trail-southern-ecg-biking/

CT: Fairfield County- Stamford- Stamford Nature Center

A special adult event: Farmer for the Evening at Stamford Nature Center was awesome! Bring out your inner child visiting and feeding the farm animals.

The staff brought a small group around to the different areas to meet the cows, horses, ducks, rabbits donkeys, goats and pigs!

The baby goats were just precious. I was most taken by Cinnabon. he was hard to leave.

The environment was beautiful as well going after hours and having the venue to ourselves.

The staff could not have been nicer ending the evening with drinks and snacks. I highly recommend this event. Remember there’s no business venture associated with this blog. I just love to share great events and places to go especially with this pandemic over us all!

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CT: Fairfield County- Stamford- Cove Island Park

I challenge myself to fine new perspectives in a park I’ve often been. I enjoy finding the uncommon in the common.

A waterside shed with a rusty wheel through which park benches overlook the tributary to the Sound.

A collection of bird houses against the cloudy sky. The birds were very busy.

A birds paradise

And a beautiful set of trees behind a gazebo in which I ate my picnic dinner.

Loved the tree I framed it with the playground equipment.

The sun and clouds created a complex palate against the emerging leaves.

The water looked silver with glowing blue hues.

It was a new walk in a familiar park, Cove Island. It’s a great respite from a busy day to intentionally focus on something else.

CT: Hartford County-Manchester to Andover (Biking)

This ride is part of the East Coast Greenway which stretches from Key West to Canada!

This portion of my ride began at Charter Oak Park in Manchester which is referred to as the Charter Oak Greenway.

The Charter Oak Greenway offered a paved path with numerous picturesque bridges along a slivering river.

Soon into the Charter Oak Greenway was the Highland Park market which is an easy stop for water, coffee or a snack.

It later connects to the Hop River Trailway. The trailway in contrast was a hard packed gravel which worked well with my road bike.

This included a tunnel in which a stream meandered within with dripping boulders along the sides. Very cool!

This path was through a forest and offered a cascading waterfall near the Bolton parking lot which was an awesome place to pause.

I chose to end my ride at the covered bridge in Andover. For the 10-12 mile return for a total of about 24 miles.

It was a ride filled with character! Link to greenway map of this segment below.

Click to access CharterOakHop-RiverMap2020.pdf

CT: Fairfield County- Trumbull

Better than a restaurant, I enjoy grabbing a bite from a market and finding a nice park with a view.

The Trumbull Historical Society is an unexpected find for this with an old apple orchard.

I love to stare up at all the unique orchard branches especially now as the apple orchard spring awakens.

The flowering trees reach up to the light.

I always enjoy the main house with the commemorative flag

A very quiet place to reflect with character and history.

CT: Fairfield County-Old Greenwich-Tod’s Point

Today a friend asked me to join her for a walk at Tod’s point in Old Greenwich. I wrote a bit of its history in a prior blog below.

https://btographytravels.com/2021/01/02/ct-fairfield-county-old-greenwich-tods-point-off-season/l

While I have walked the loop many a time, she was right, it’s different with each visit as there is so much character on the property.

With a beach, boats, the old crumbling estate house, marsh, wildlife and a view of NYC you almost don’t know which way to turn!

This is definitely a sunset spot. With all the character around even in the haze I had fun with shadows capturing the golden glow.

The sun completed setting as we left the park and the gates began to close with a pink kiss goodnight.

CT: Fairfield County- Shelton- Indian Wells State Park

Indian Wells became a state park in 1928. Unbelievably almost 100 years ago. It was one of the first state parks I went to when I first started traveling around CT just for having a bite by the Housatonic River. I heard of a waterfall however so I returned. I’m so glad I did!

I was surprised to find the cavernous setting of the waterfall. The above photo is a panoramic of the cavern I’m actually all the way to the left to better gauge the size.

Continue up the mountain and you’ll reach a beautiful overlook of the Housatonic River.

The pool beneath the falls had water so clear and I can appreciate the request for no swimming.

The cascading water down to the river was fun to scramble the rocks and logs to find unique photo ops. Hard to pick which ones to share!

As I tried to find the angles I suddenly saw a resting bull frog who patiently posed.

After the hike, follow the new beach path to the river and have a relaxing bite. You can even grill down here!

Next time hope to bring a kayak to ride the river! Here’s the trail map!

May 2021