CT: Fairfield County- Ridgefield- Ballard Park (Spring)

Likely my favorite town in Fairfield County is Ridgefield. It has lovely stores, a great mix of restaurants from fast to fancy and lovely outdoor parks and events.

Highlights of my early springtime walk in Ballard Park included the gazebo and the garden. In the summer there are wonderful free “Chirp” concerts here (with a recommended donation that I would encourage as the events are top notch!)

I followed this up with a walk down Main Street with a bite at a local restaurant and a cupcake from the Cake box!

The Cake Box offers delicious cakes and cupcakes that are peanut and tree nut free. So for those with such allergies this is hands down my favorite for my son. It offers him the opportunity to taste unique flavors without risk of cross contamination. Hats off to Cake Box!

NY: Ulster County- Marlboro-Benmarl Winery

One of my favorite trips was biking in Napa Valley and stopping at vineyards along the way. Seeking a touch of Napa on the east coast, I stopped at Benmarl Winery in Marlboro NY.

According to an article it’s the oldest vineyard in America. I admit I am a bit skeptical so I will see if that comes with some caveat and report back. They did share that they have vineyards in the Fingerlakes as well as on Long Island from which many of the grapes are sourced.

My visit was brief but impactful. Unfortunately with only a few photos. But it had a lovely view, wood fired pizza and decent wines (that’s a big statement from me as a Napa snob :). It also appeared quite family and dog friendly.

This is also part of the Shawangunk Wine trail which offers a passport to the 15 local wineries for a low cost in comparison to going individually!

If you do the wine trail I might recommend having a designated driver that day and relax and enjoy! Makes for an awesome day. For now, I’ll just get back on the bike and continue enjoying the scenery!

NY: Dutchess County- Beacon

It has been quite a while since I ventured outside of Connecticut. Not too far over the border is the town of Beacon, NY in the Hudson Valley.

This town and its surrounding area has a little bit of everything- cute stores, museums, waterfall, restaurants, biking friendly and loads of hiking with spectacular views.

I started with shopping! With the pandemic, I need a new wardrobe a size larger. The shops are worth of photo ops themselves but harder juggling my mask and sanitizer with the browsing!

Stunning as always is a jaunt to Fishkill Falls which sits in town with a great restaurant at its base. I have eaten here several times before running over to the farm fresh ice cream shop across the street.

The falls are worth walking across the town bridge over to each side to get a different angle of its beauty. Being spring time it was roaring so I included a little video to share.

This time I chose to eat a sandwich I brought in their local park overlooking the Newburgh-Beacon bridge. It was a picture perfect day.

As this was a cycling day, I chose to cross the bridge and go try a rail trail about 20 miles from here. Alas that’s for another blog. For many, stopping here and then taking in the sunset at Long Dock down the road would make for a perfect end to the day. It became overcast or that’s where I would have been.

There is so much beauty in the Hudson Valley. I look forward to seeing it again.

CT: New Haven County- Meriden- Hubbard Park (Spring Biking)

Many go to Hubbard Park in the Fall to take in the beautiful views of the changing leaves at the castle (link to Fall visit at bottom).

But in the Spring there are fields of daffodils – or so I always heard. The weekend crowds always discouraged me. But today is Thursday and it’s my birthday so off I went for the spring daffodils and to take a birthday bike ride up the mountain side to Castle Craig!

The beautiful daffodils had me recall and look up the romantic words of William Wordsworth who wrote his Daffodil poem inspired by a similar sight.

“I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance

The waves beside them danced, but they
Outdid the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not be but gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed – and gazed – but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils. “

The ride up to the Castle was a bit steep at times but so satisfying once you reach the top!

You can see Sleeping Giant beyond on this clear day.

Warning to keep hold of your brakes on the way down! A great day for a birthday!

CT: Meriden- New Haven County- Hubbard Park/Castle Craig (Fall 2020)

CT: New Haven County: Farmington Canal Trail- Southern (ECG- Biking)

The Farmington Canal Heritage Trail extends from New Haven to the Massachusetts border (84 miles). It follows the path of the former Farmington Canal and the New Haven & Northampton Railroad. It’s broken up into two main pieces- the Southern (New Haven to Southington) and the Northern (to MA). Today’s ride was the Southern half – map at the bottom.

While the trail is easy to ride blindly along the path, I suggest pausing at the canal at points recognizing the history of the barges pulled along and the “canal locks” painstakingly created along the way to navigate the terrain. There were also several areas with oodles of turtles which was fun to watch sun and swim in their natural environment. Definitely pause!!

As per Native American shamans, the red tailed hawk symbol with its sharp, eagle-like whistle indicates ‘that you should clear your mind. ‘

That is a long hard task for me. To be honest even when riding a beautiful trail with scenic views my mind tends to wander to solving a problem. I ride with a helmet in which I can play music and allow myself the escape taking in beautiful words, sounds and sights and be present with the surroundings.

I paused once to learn about the canal locks and dedicated a blog to my visit to Lock 12 and it’s history which is along this trail. I share it below.

For this ride I parked at a public trail lot near Mikro Pub in Hamden on Depot Road.

https://btographytravels.com/2020/12/04/ct-new-haven-county-cheshire-lock-12-historical-park/

https://www.farmingtoncanal.org/

CT: Fairfield County-Pequonnock Valley Trail (Biking)

From Bridgeport to Newtown the trail is a 13.5 mile combination of paved and gravel trail with some short road biking between scenes.

Don’t stop due to any gravel! Continue through and get to the next section with new scenes and opportunities!

As long as it’s not private property, go down to the stream – take in the sun rays, the moss lighting up beneath them, the water flowing around the rocks and don’t forget to listen for the frogs mating or the simple sounds of the water rippling!

There are also historic references along the way! This is an old post office and old railroad depot.

The trail takes you through Wolfe park to end in Monroe/Newtown line.

I simply turned around and went back the way I came and returned to a lovely Old Mine Park in Trumbull. Of course you could continue back to Bridgeport.

It’s spring! I pretty much stay on my bike for this season! This is certainly another favorite cycling trail for me – 13.5 mile Pequonnock Trail!

Time it right to end around golden hour in Old Mine Park in Trumbull and you too may call it a perfect day!

Below is a link to the Farmington River Trail blog which may be number 1 for me!

https://btographytravels.com/2021/03/24/ct-hartford-farmington-river-trail-biking/

CT: Hartford County-Manchester- Wyllys Falls

Down the road from the grandiose Case Mountain Falls, a bit off the beaten path, is another set of falls worth finding.

While the parking lot was full at Case Mountain, I decided to try and find Wyllys Falls down the road. An intentional but unmarked path can be found beside a guard rail. Go down to a Brook and cross the Brook wherever you can and follow upstream to the falls. Yes! There they are!

I love to remember the sounds from the flow of the water so I now take a little video clip from my iPhone of the falls.

Likely only about a half mile away. It’s one of those fairytale encounters once you arrive.

If you want to believe, you too can see hearts everywhere you go. Here are two shots of the hearts I saw.

I sat here for quite a while until something reminded me to go find the next adventure.

Neighborhood parking around 569 Spring Street will get you near the guardrail. There is a defined trail down the hill to the Brook from there.

CT: Hartford- Farmington River Trail (Biking)

Distance: 26 miles
Communities: Farmington, Cheshire, Collinsville, Canton, Avon, Simsbury

This is one of the top rail trails for walking, jogging or biking. It runs along the Farmington river for a long portion and provides for a 26 mile loop. There is also an adjunct trail referred to as the Farmington Canal Trail.

I started at mile 0 at the lot at Red Oak Hill Rd. at New Britain Ave. (Farmington) but there are many lots along the loop.

I have bikes this trail in every season. Each season has its benefits. On this visit it is barely spring. The weather is getting warmer but the trees are still bare allowing full views of the river.

The scenes are so picturesque that there are signs referring to the many impressionistic paintings drawn of the area.

While the loop is 26 miles which can normally be done in just a few hours, I find myself pausing every few hundred feet taking in all the views. As such I have only completed the entire loop once.

Stop at Collinsville to the Antique store, ice cream shop and LaSalle Market. Perhaps rent a kayak and paddle down the river! So much to do right here! Come once and you’ll be back too!

https://btographytravels.com/2020/12/15/ct-hartford-county-farmington-hillstead-museum-holiday-event/

Outdoor adventures are my respite. They provide me calm yet are invigorating. I find unity in a world with so much division. I take solace in the spring sounds, smells and sights. 10-12 miles on the Farmington River with a helmet full of music can do just that. 😉

CT: Windham County-Putnam (Biking)

Awesome bike ride along the East Coast Greenway from Putnam to Pomfret and back. Start in town along the Quinipaug River and take rolling hills with farms to the Vanilla Bean in Pomfret and back for a bite at one of the great restaurants in Putnam. About 12-15 mile ride.

I parked at the Price Chopper, 251 Kennedy Drive, Putnam and crossed the street and followed Rotary park.

The Main Street of the town has the river passing right through it with fun sculptures and artifacts.

At the head of the town there is a power fall series of waterfalls.

As you travel out of town following the greenway you pass over rolling hills and many farms.

Continue to the cross of Putnam Road and Pomfret Street and stop at Vanilla Bean Cafe. Makes for an awesome day with the lovely scent of springtime manure! 🙂

CT: Hartford County- Manchester- Case Mountain Falls

5 stone archways make up the bridge. Part natural and part man made by the Case family who owned a paper mill.

You can walk right up almost into one of the archways peering at the water behind!

I found a painted rock, “Brave” as I continue to climb the rocks for a better shot. I decided to place the rock within the falls to depict how I feel when I climb around looking for some unique angles! These painted rocks have caused quite a bit of debate in regard to the “leave no trace” rule of hiking. Call me Switzerland on this point as I’m encouraged by them and they make me smile.

I walked over the bridge climbing down to the other side of the falls.

Each perspective providing a different surrounding – the breeze, the shadows, the mist contributing if you allow them each to envelop you in the moment.

I continue to be amazed at all Connecticut has to offer.