Frozen and icy cascading waterfalls amongst a rocky incline! I am learning where and how to go hiking in the winter. Short hikes to waterfalls is a sound bet.
If I can do it, most can! I even took out my lens ball!
Beauty in all directions can best be seen in the lens ball scene as the falls appear to be running backwards up the icy terrain.
It was a short hike along a small piece of the blue blazes Metacomet trail.
Each section offered its own unique view of the falls and ice sculptures.
I also was happy to learn that my waterproof hiking boots successfully withstood in accidental dip into the icy pool as I sought to capture the falls from bottom to top! Ooh! That was close!
My version of where’s Waldo
There’s absolutely no way I would have climbed over icy rocks in the past simply to get a good shot. I am cautious and slow but I feel great once I make it! A great excursion!
Collis P Huntington State Park was my second kayak launch site. Bigger than the lake at Seth-Low Pierrepont but still narrow enough to feel safe and potentially see wildlife by the waters edge.
Now that I am a bit more comfortable I decided to have a bit more fun!
The beginning of the launch was great into a narrow sliver of water to then traveling under not one but TWO foot bridges.
After the first footbridge you can continue to the left or you can go to the right under the second foot bridge. When you go to the right the alcove is even narrower so you can imagine yourself in some far off land. But you have comfort in viewing the larger lake right beyond!
What was also fun about this more intimate setting is being able to talk with others on the lake. We learned about recommended corners to find wildlife and it’s always fun to be introduced to the dogs which lead the way!
One area I like to photograph is a small stone lighthouse on an island. The island is a bit buggy so remember to check for ticks on these jaunts but was fun for a quick stop
This was definitely a fun local jaunt for a relaxing evening kayaking and looking for some photo ops! On to find other kayaking adventures!
My first kayak launch was in July 2020. I chose a local venue in Ridgefield, CT with a small lake. It was a perfect first launch at Seth Low Pierrepont State park. Truth is I was nervous but I bought the kayak anyway because of the pandemic.
I bought the kayak at REI. All the pretty, slim and sleek kayaks were front and center but there was my chunky sit on top “don’t want to get wet” kayak waiting for me on top of a high column above my head. I felt fortunate to find it as they were hard to find during the start of the pandemic.
When I got it to the park I loved how the kayak blended into the surroundings with its blue and green hues against the water and the sky’s reflection. My perception kayak also can be used as a single or a double so I loved the versatility. It tracks easily and I never have felt it topple.
While it does weigh in on the heavy side my friend and I did a great job figuring out how to get it down and back up. We even captured it on a time elapsed video as many claimed it couldn’t be done!
The lake itself offers a loop around a small island. You can clearly get to a shore quite easily and can even see to the bottom so you feel really secure. This was a perfect first launch.
In addition, there is some wildlife to capture as well. We saw ducks, swan and turtles and stayed around long enough to capture the sunset over the hills.
Now to be honest my goal with kayaking was to find other opportunities to be outside, feel safe and enjoy nature- a relaxing goal. My first launch I was a bit nervous to ensure I didn’t topple and wanted to ensure I could track the kayak where I wanted. As we would go out further we were a bit apprehensive but comforted by the ducks and swans and also by the kids jumping in from a dock. I am happy to report my goals were accomplished and I felt I was overcoming a fear as I did it! On to find my next launch. Perhaps a bit longer. Perhaps a bit deeper.
So if you are doing your first launch, overcoming a fear, practicing some tricks or want to get a new rider or some kids acclimated to kayaking, this was a perfect venue. I have also come to Seth-Low for hiking. I don’t recommend a picnic here as it’s a bit buggy. So couple this with lunch or dinner on Main Street in Ridgefield for a great day!
My favorite places to kayak are those with wildlife and interesting landscapes. There are two bodies of water at Bigelow Hollow for kayaking so I compared them. 2020 is my first year kayaking so I have a sit on top big plastic kayak to remain the most sturdy on the water so I can take pictures without fear of getting wet. This visit was in October 2020.
Bigelow Pond
Soon after you enter the park you will find Bigelow Pond. Easy access boat launch on a gravel road with about 15 parking spots.
From the launch you can go right or left to various alcoves around the pond offering many opportunities for fauna, herons and turtles.
Had I more familiarity I’m sure there is much more that others might see.
But for this NYC gal this was a great adventure.
Mashapaug Pond
As this is a lengthy car ride for me to get to I thought I better go and see what the other body of water had to offer. Mashapaug pond is at the end of the park road also with an easy launch access. It was definitely the more popular of the two and the one more often recommended for a true day on the water.
For everyone else I could see why. It was much larger and offered true fun on the water with areas to pull off and have a picnic. For me, it was a windy day so it was harder for me to navigate the kayak and there wasn’t as much wildlife to be found. So apologies as I don’t have pictures there since the wind and current was too strong and choppy. I later read this is considered a more moderate paddle. But it’s awesome for the true water lovers and great in the fall with the changing colors!
So while my vote is door number 1 (Bigelow Pond), you may like door number 2 (Mashapaug Pond).
Breakneck Pond
I definitely will be back to try a hike likely around the third body of water, Breakneck Pond. My understanding is that there is no easy way to launch there so it’s more of a hiking opportunity.
One of my inspirations for my outdoor adventures is pausing at a site of a 9/11 memorial (original link for my inspiration at bottom). I find the memorials especially poignant this year, 2021, which is the 20th anniversary of the tragedy.
I find each memorial has a uniqueness and they each are in a special spot for their area. This one bordered the Hudson River on the Westchester River walk greenway in Peekskill, NY.
This was in front of the Peekskill train station so it was an easy place to park. The memorial honors the fallen firefighters and was unveiled in July 2010 in a beautiful waterfront setting.
Per the Daily Voice, Sam “Oitice, a longtime Peekskill resident, was a member of the New York Fire Department but he started out as a city ambulance corps member and later became a Peekskill police officer.”
The Voice goes on to write, “The bronze statue features an anonymous firefighter kneeling in front of Oitice’s fire suit and helmet. The names of the all the emergency responders who perished on Sept. 11 2001 are listed on plaques around the monument. The monument also features a bell that was rung following the deaths of seven city firemen in the 1918 Fleishman’s yeast factory fire.”
Behind the statue is a steel beam from the WTC.
Similar to the pandemic, 9/11 spawned a new normal. It’s been 20 years. I seem to recall us to be more united as a nation then. There so much we should never forget.
This morning I spilled my morning coffee on my puffy white robe and cream colored couch. I tripped over my dog as he searched for his toy. I burnt my toast while cleaning the couch. I then grew disappointed that I missed driving to find a sunrise by the shore and was uncertain what to do with the day.
I walked out the door to throw out some recyclables and then I saw this . . .
A pivotal moment. A choice I made.
I then successfully blotted the couch and the robe is now in the laundry. Cheese and avocado fixed the toast. Decided to leave the laptop closed and get ready for a sunny day somewhere.
I’ll figure it out on my way there. I chose to pivot and have a beautiful day.
More challenging is finding outdoor adventures on a blustery winter day. I let my curiosity decide and went to the an Abandoned Fairy Village in Middlebury/Woodbury referenced in Atlas Obscura.
It may not have been my number 1 choice for excitement but I imagined Mr. Rogers coming out any minute to show me his neighborhood and suddenly the little village had more flair.
In researching this site there is uncertainty as to its origin but I came across what appears was the final answer. The larger structures were related to an old gas station and the miniature village to what was going to be a plant nursery. So much so that the village houses had electricity intended to light them up in its day. I admit the structures were clearly ornate with stone and iron fencing. Below is a link to a write up.
Deciding to find this abandoned fairy village, I stumbled upon a dedicated biking/walking greenway with amusements along the way. Thus below is my plan for a future adventure based on my drive but which made the trip worth while!
Start at Maggie McFlys parking lot (parking permitted at upper lot for the trailhead)
Start on the Middlebury Greenway and make a first right to cross over to Old Waterbury Road and walk into access road
Go to the Abandoned Fairy Village highlighted above
Return to the Greenway and continue to Bristol Park (named after William H Bristol who invented the “Bristolphone” for talking movies and later loud speakers.
Bike through the town of Middlebury for food or drinks including a nice gourmet cafe (Vyne).
Follow the trail to Meadowbrook Park which includes a lake and playground.
Continue to trail end at Lake Quassy Amusement – free entry, pay as you play!
I look forward to biking this 4.5 paved dedicated trail out and back in a warmer season. Meanwhile I may try and make my own fairy village in my backyard based on some ideas I got today!
Won’t you be, please won’t you be, my neighbor! (Always loved Mr. Rogers and all he represented).
Winter hiking was never on my list of to do’s so I am selective on where I go. Chatfield Hollow State Park met my core attributes.
I do a little homework before I go on a winter hike. First I prefer those with paved trails just to be a bit safer from icy falls. Secondly, I like locations which have known destination photo opportunities (e.g., a covered bridge, a historical reference). Finally, water views or overlooks are always a plus!
Chatfield Hollow has a lake and brooks, a covered bridge as well as a waterwheel. It also has a “fat mans squeeze” although I have not yet had the pleasure.
To my surprise, when I arrived the parking lot overflowed to the road on both sides and quite a bit notwithstanding the cold. I have learned how to dress in several layers for these hikes as I can get warm along the way but at first I’m always cold. As mentioned above for this winter hike I decided to stay on the main paved road for today and it offered me loads of fun in and of itself (black line in the map above).
Starting up the path there was a lake with these falls at its base with the house reflecting on the water beneath the arch of pine trees.
From here you can go to either side of the lake for a paved path ultimately to the covered bridge. Having seen so many shots of covered bridges, I try and challenge myself to take a unique shot of some type. I decided to take out my lens ball to try and capture both the bridge and it’s reflection in the ball, ultimately turning one covered bridge into four! To do this of course I needed to balance myself on the rocks in the brook and remove my long winter coat so it didn’t get wet. This was at the amusement of some onlookers and I expected to see myself on Facebook as the crazy old lady with a lens ball. Hey but I got the shot! 1,2,3,4 red covered bridges and I didn’t fall into the icy water and met a few smiling folks along the way.
On the other side of the bridge the brook babbled over the rocks. I leaned over and placed the camera as close to the splashes to try and capture the feeling. This is one of the main reasons I keep my old camera going as I wouldn’t dare do it with a new one.
What do you think? Can you sense the cold babbling and splashing water in the picture below?
The road continued to the water wheel. For next time I will research the history but for today I found that I could move the wheel with just a push from my hand and tried to take some shots in a more dramatic setting.
As I noticed kids walking along the wall in front of the wheel I decided to find out if I can achieve any unique perspective from that vantage point.
Indeed there was with this compass that appeared along the wall directing me to an icy water snake slithering down a waterfall.
Icy water Snake biting a branch
I then headed back to the car and decided to held to the shore to Hammonassett State Park for a sunset in Madison. On a warmer day I would also suggest a stop at the Madison Beach hotel as well for a bite along the beach. Refer to separate blogs.
Chasing winter sunsets is not something my younger self anticipated doing. I am not a fan of the cold. But with the pandemic, I have become drawn to finding all Connecticut has to offer.
Hammonassett State Park had been on my sunset seeking list and tonight’s sunset offered me such fun! These were taken on the beach at the furthest parking lot after the nature center lot.
I decided to try my lens ball the moment I saw the stone cairns by the shore. But my challenge was to determine if I could balance the ball on top of the final stone.
Fortunately the sand was made up of millions and millions of seashells. I played with several before I found one that could both sit well on top of the stone and balance the lens ball!
Success! I was so pleased and so were several around me! Once again strangers come together in awe and joy by the sunset and the simplicity of the cairns and the balancing ball.
Even if the world can sometimes feel upside down.
I couple this with a stop at the Madison Cheese shop. Best grilled cheeses around!
Mansions in back country Greenwich is the approach to Babcock preserve where I found a full lot of cars together with lots of beautiful dogs prepping for the hike. If you want to lose yourself in a forest finding natural destinations as your landmark this is the place!
We were directed to the blue trail as the most popular hike. Having read up on the preserve I noted that the markers can be an issue at one point – I unfortunately was reminded of this fact!
One of the features I look for in a hike is varied terrain and destination options. Soon after the hike began we encountered a rustic rock bridge which was a cool kick off to the experience!
As we continued we found so many fun gifts of the forest! A teepee tree with my friendly gnome protecting himself from the cold and a heart shaped carving (natural or made uncertain) greeting us.
Quite suddenly we were on top of a boulder with a wire secured to a tree challenging us to descend! We gave it a photo op try before simply turning to the right to continue our easy hike.
The path flattened with various little ponds with leaves reflecting onto the icy delicate patterns. I felt fortunate to have captured a bit of the illusions.
We did ultimately get lost but fortunately the forest gave us fun destinations to recognize we had gone in a loop within the red trail! we parked at north street but appears it may be fun to place a car at Lake Avenue to follow the blue trail from end to end.
After our hike we enjoyed a walk down Greenwich Avenue where we lunched outside at Meli-Milo. A great purchase I made was an outdoor portable heater which kept us particularly cozy.
Pivot and Pause in New England 