Pivot and Pause in New England

CT: New London County-Colchester Tour

Fun Fact: The town of Colchester delayed Thanksgiving in 1705 as they didn’t have enough molasses! Known as the Great Molasses shortage of Colchester, the write up in the link at bottom shares the background about the postponement due to the impact on baked beans, brown bread and pumpkin pie!

Founded in 1698 and knowing about the Great Molasses shortage made it that much more fun to post about the places I would recommend visiting while in Colchester. Where I already have a blog on the specifics I have it included below otherwise it may be forthcoming.

Comstock Bridge

Great place for photo ops and feeling a part of the history in the area. Also has parking for Salmon River trail. Blog pending.

Salmon River

Great place for biking along side the river, hiking, walking, wading, fishing, picnicking! Blog pending!

Airline Trail

Great place for walking, biking, photography. Even a waterfall slide (as I call it). Refer to blog below.

https://btographytravels.com/2020/11/13/ct-tolland-new-london-airline-trail-hebron-colchester/

Cato Corner Farm

Great place for fresh farmstead cheeses and other pairings as well as seeing the farm animals. Refer to blog below.

https://btographytravels.com/2020/11/09/ct-new-london-county-colchester-cato-corner-farm/

Savitsky Farm

Great place for fresh farm eggs and produce coupled with holiday ornament shopping Conveniently across the street from Cato Corner. Blog pending.

Sunshine Cycle Bicycle Shop

If you forgot something for your bicycle or it unexpectedly needs to be serviced while on the airline trail (like me!) this was a great stop! They are also the ones who recommended Red Rose Desserts for lunch!

Red Rose Desserts and More

Great stop for lunch and more! Refer to related blog below.

https://btographytravels.com/2020/11/28/ct-new-london-county-colchester-red-rose-desserts-more/

Feel free to follow my blog for additional outdoor opportunities to be present during these unique times!

How the Great Colchester Molasses Shortage Nearly Ruined Thanksgiving

CT: Fairfield County-Darien-Pear Tree Point Beach (off -season sunset)

In my continued quest for off season drive up sunsets (i.e., places in season for residents only), brought me to 8 acre Pear Tree Point Beach in Darien on this November evening.

As I approached the beach I already felt like I was on a European vacation. I knew the feeling would only be for about an hour but it certainly is an hour that balances me from the stresses of the day.

The below shot was on my way to the beach. Oftentimes I find myself driving to a destination and thinking about something else I need to do. Happily I saw the site of the reflecting bridge in front of the ball of fiery sun. I pulled over to see the metal gate and stone walls angled in front of the water. This was my gift today for being present.

This evening, there were actually more cars than expected in the lot. Turns out it was for a surprise birthday shout out and car honking for a surprise guest. Since the pandemic I have seen and heard of many car parades for such special events. I note for us to recall the pandemic and things we needed to do to remain uplifted- as hopefully soon it will pass.

Happy to otherwise find the gazebo available, I took my spot to experience the magical natural prism of colors, reflections and shadows.

Join me off-season to find more drive up sunsets!

Inspiration: A Heavenly Sunrise

For those that love sunrises and sunsets, there is little more inspirational than seeing the amazing colors of nature.

This sunrise at St. Mary’s by the Sea in Bridgeport unified all those present as we shared the amazing sight.

November 2020

Join me to see how the sunrise will differ with the seasons.

CT: Fairfield County-Stamford-Stamford Nature Center (Bendel Mansion Special Event)

Are you a Biophiliac?

Biophilia- literally means “the love of life” and the living world such as nature. If you are a Biophiliac the exhibit at the Bendel Mansion is quite impressive.

Biophilia: A Dialogue with Art, Nature and Science from October 1, 2020 to January 10, 2021.

The Stamford Museum and Nature Center describes in the link below that Psychoanalyst Erich Fromm defined biophilia as “the passionate love of life and all that is alive.” Artist, naturalist, and New York Times bestselling author Christopher Marley is known for his unique ability to reveal the obscure beauty in nature and in this extraordinary exhibition creates a visual experience of the love we all have for life.

The exhibit includes artistic colorful and mosaic capture of nature to include beetles, butterflies, snakes , parakeets. It shares we don’t only love nature because it’s beautiful but because we are a part of it.

The Bendel Mansion was originally built by the fashion designer and department store owner Henri Bendel around 1929. Unfortunately he died unexpectedly in 1936. Eventually purchased by the Stamford Nature Center, the mansion holds changing exhibits and special functions. The circa 1850s horses water fountain in the backyard has been the backdrop for many as has the welcoming sunroom.

Admission to the nature center includes the museum exhibit. If you are a Biophiliac you will surely enjoy everything else the nature center also has to offer for which a separate blog with its offerings is being written.

https://www.stamfordmuseum.org/exhibitions-and-adults/biophilia/

I am a proud Biophiliac! Follow me for other opportunities to be one with nature.

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

This is the highest point within 25 miles of the coastline from Connecticut to Florida!

Choose any difficulty level to reach Castle Craig.

In season (early May through October) you can drive up to the castle. Off season you could walk the 2.8 mile out and back road or you can hike the mountain.

All routes will lead to a stunning view at the top. While it can be easy to get to, please note that these are trap rock ridges and care needs to be taken to keep kids away from the edges.

You can climb the metal staircase to the top for 360 views.

My research found that these ridges were originally created by volcanoes. The land was donated by Walter Hubbard, a businessman, who only asked that it remain free to include no for-profit concessions inside the park.

Meriden Land Trust has a nice trail map to include topography as some of the in mountain trails can be difficult. Hubbard Park is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Click to access hubbard_quad.pdf

CT: Fairfield County-Bridgeport- St. Mary’s By the Sea Park (Sunset)

It’s a Fairytale walk. At sunrise, during the day, or sunset. Go for the haunted lighthouse sunset and return for the sunrise lighthouse angel!

Stupendous views of Long Island Sound and Black Harbor including two lighthouses.

There is a walkway directly along the sound with a small Marsh on one end and the Black Harbor lighthouse at the other. You can also see the Port Jefferson ferry ride by as well as a nice view of Jennings Beach in Fairfield. This small slip has a bit of it all.

The Fayerweather lighthouse 1808 then 1823) is at the end of Seaside Park and Penfield Reef Light (1874) in the distance. Penfield Reef is said to be haunted by its former innkeeper Fred Jordan who was taken by the Sound.

St. Mary’s was a chapel which stood from 1893 to 1925 at one end of this park. According to the New York Times, “ It was a New York City stockbroker by the name of Thomas W. Pearsall who built the log Episcopal chapel from which the area derives its name. Constructed on the point of the peninsula in 1893 for Mr. Pearsall’s wife, the picturesque steepled church on the beach was a familiar landmark to passing ships. After Mr. Pearsall’s death, the church gradually fell into disrepair, and it was torn down in 1925.”

This is a place where one contemplates the sea.

Tip: Parking is by permit only. I have generally parked beyond the park and biked in or sat by my car to watch the sunset or sunrise.

Sunsets and then the sun will rise. Follow me to see what happened next!

Inspiration: Mud & Sticks

Capturing the colors of the sky with subjects in its shadows is especially rewarding once the leaves fall off the trees.

That led me to learn that in Vermont they actually have named two more seasons – Mud and Sticks!

Mud season is the period after the snow melts and before spring when the ground is wet and muddy.

Stick season is the period after the leaves fall and before the snow arrives.

The benefits of stick season includes:

Improved views at vistas and overlooks
Increased sightings of birds and animals
Crowds have lessened
Costs for lodging are off peak rates.

Enjoy the expanded view of colorful designs in the sky filled with branches during stick season and the liberation of playing in the dirt in mud season!

Don’t be a stick in the mud! I have found some awesome opportunities in stick season and look forward to mud season too!

CT: Litchfield County- Goshen- Thorncrest Farms & Milkhouse Chocolates

A happy cow yields yummy chocolates!

Being from NYC and traveling the globe, I thought I knew the best chocolates. At this working dairy farm, the chocolatier, so very dedicated to her cows and her chocolate creations, you can taste the difference.

The family farm is not only a fun place to visit but also a fun place to support. The environment is filled with love – from their approach to raising their cows to how they decide, based on the milk from the cow, the chocolates to make.

You can visit the cows and walk around the farm as you consider which of the wonderful chocolates and truffles to select from their adorable shop (#ROLA)

Personally, I have enjoyed selecting the chocolates and pairing them with one of the wines at a local vineyard. I even have a Connecticut made cheese board to add to my Connecticut picnic!

After you try one, you might find like me that you should buy a few boxes as gifts. The last time we also bought some of their fresh vanilla milk as a pairing. Absolutely delicious!

Being present and pausing at this farm will make everlasting memories your mind and your tastebuds will never forget!

This article from Litchfield magazine does a beautiful job in describing their zen approach to raising the cows in a stress free environment and creating unique chocolates based on the flavor of the milk from each individual cow!

The Magic of Thorncrest Farm

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CT: Fairfield County- Drive-Up Off-Season Sunsets (Part 1)

Many of the Connecticut shoreline beaches which are otherwise either off limits or prohibitively expensive for non residents can be accessed post season.

I was asked recently to list those which I enjoy in Fairfield County. What a great idea to collect in one place and share. We all just can’t go at the same time!

Here are my favorites in some of the coastal Fairfield County towns for which separate full blogs are being created.

Greenwich- Tod’s Point
Stamford- Cove Island Park
Norwalk- Calf Pasture
Westport- Compo Beach
Fairfield- Sasco Beach
Stratford- Lordship Seawall (Drive up anytime!)

Greenwich- Tod’s Point

Please keep in mind that if you’re a nonresident of Greenwich you can not enter without a parking and individual pass if it’s in-season. The season ends late at Tod’s point at the end of November 2020.

Sunsets move quickly and are most fun when captured with another subject. I highly recommend staying focused and looking for trees, rocks, birds, boats, docks, etc. with which to capture the colors.

Stamford- The Cove

The sun is not over the water at the Cove. This sunset is more indirect than the others but the reflections and hues are worth the stop. Need a pass or pay for parking in season.

Additionally, since the sun sets earlier in the fall and winter and its cold, I have found it to be a great end to my day when otherwise I may have been inside.

Norwalk- Calf Pasture

Best vantage point is in the water – on a dock or on a kayak for example. Have successfully captured sunset as well as moon rising.

Westport-Compo Beach

Grab a hot chocolate and then go to this easy drive up with loads of parking off route 1.

Fairfield- Sasco Beach

Takes a little more effort to get to this location but also easy drive up.

Stratford- Lordship Seawall

A bit of a drive to get to but lovely in and of itself through marshes.

Follow the sunsets with me! Part 2 and other counties in progress!

CT: New Haven County- New Haven- Lighthouse Point Park (Winter Event)

A storybook sunset at Lighthouse Point Park as they prepare for their Fantasy of lights!

In 2020 it’s the 26th year of Fantasy of Lights in New Haven presented by the Goodwill of Southern New England.

Taking a stroll as they prepare for the event was an awesome time to use the images for a storybook sunset. These were my gifts of being present on this night.

Fantasy of Lights is a drive through the park event to view their holiday lights around the park (#ROLA)

Dragon Climbs Five Mile Point Lighthouse

Chubby Boat Bumps into SW Ledge Lighthouse

Held at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven, CT each night from November 20, 2020 – December 31, 2020

Hours: SUNDAY – THURSDAY 5pm-9pm | Friday & Saturday 5pm – 10pm
Admission: Car/Family Van $10 | Minibus $25 | Full-size Bus $50

https://www.ctvisit.com/events/26th-annual-fantasy-lights