Pivot and Pause in New England

CT: New Haven County-Milford- Silver Sands

Silver Sands is golden!

I love to travel the shoreline and Silver Sands is one of the best with 3/4 mile of all weather boardwalk skirting the sound and the Marsh.

The other unique aspect of Silver Sands is Charles Island seen below which is a bird sanctuary which you can reach at low tide based on a landbridge (tombolo). Although folks stress the importance of not hanging out and getting stuck there as a dangerous undertow is created when the tide starts to return.

Go on the tombolo!

Charles Island apparently includes ruins from early structures with a degree of eeriness looming. I have not taken this adventure yet. I’ll need a posse with me I think! However, with appropriate planning I have seen many enjoy the adventure!

I consistently find opportunities to play with the environment to take more unusual photos than on any other Connecticut shore.

Please recognize that there is no biking on the Boardwalk but before and after it is part of my coastal ride. I just walk with it or lock it up when I reach Silver Sands. This park is 100% fee free and is open to the public year round. Please also note there is a gate that locks at dusk (yes I know this from experience when I took the moon rise above)

Inspiration: First Flight

The birds were waiting lining up in a row
The sun’s ascent to cast a rich glow.
One by one they then each took flight
Returning to tell of the beautiful sight.

Captured at Silver Sands, Milford, CT, November 14, 2020

TIP: Park at Walnut Beach and walk to silver sands for sunrise. Dress warm and wear appropriate shoes as the Boardwalk is icy in the morning if going in colder months.

CT: Tolland & New London- Airline Trail (Hebron & Colchester)

Follow the ghost train!

Originally an inland railroad connecting New Haven to Boston, the airline trail was blasted amongst the ridges, woodlands and valleys to transport its passengers as the shortest path to be made through the “air.”

More recently, this trail is now used for recreational walks and biking with scenic views over 44 miles. An easy bike trail with many points of interests along the way which likely was true as well when the bright white “ghost train” used to ride through.

Today’s bike journey began at the intersection Route 149 and Route 2 at the commuter lot.

At first I was disappointed in getting a flat but an unexpected message on a bench and my subsequent discoveries in Colchester with a bike shop and good food made me otherwise feel fortunate. Refer to separate blog on Red Rose Desserts and more.

But when near Colchester, a great stop would be to grab some farmstead cheese at Cato corner! See separate blog about my favorite cheese and pictures of their farm and animals.

Within the town of Hebron lies Grayville Falls park. A very short detour off the trail, I decided to check out if the name meant there was a water feature. To my surprise a long meandering waterfall appeared which reminded me of a water slide. Long and low I can imagine returning on a warm summers day (#rola).

I was naturally allured by the fallen tree across the waterfall in hopes to capture a unique perspective. Not sure that I succeeded but I had a really great time trying.

The route also sent me through the Raymond Brook Marsh in Hebron. I honestly was so taken by the number of turtles and reflecting watercolors luring me into the marsh.

The above is a small portion of this 44 mile trail! The biking is easy and if you choose to stay present and pivot and pause the number of turtles, waterfalls and babbling brooks are encouraging your attention.

More blogs to come on other sections of the airline trail! Meanwhile read my blog on fun things to do in the Colchester area!

https://btographytravels.com/2020/11/26/ct-new-london-county-colchester-tour/

This link has some history and an old photo of the train.

https://www.lebanontownhall.org/air-line-trail-state-park/pages/history

CT: Litchfield County-Roxbury-Mine Hill Preserve

What were the 1800s like in CT?

Mine Hill Preserve gave me a touch of that understanding. With a pair of roasting ovens, a furnace and old mines and great markings of an old town that apparently was thriving for only about a decade.

As I walked I saw dogs and kids enjoying the structures and running through the tunnels created by the artifacts. (#ROLA)

There is a donkey trail which is the main road used for transporting so is an easy and flat part of the hike. Moderate but short is the hike to the mines. It was a remarkable cold breeze that came out of the old mines.

The trail is filled with history of the former town Chalybes and markings of where structures had previously been. I was so impressed by the fact that they employed so many that payroll during those times was over $10,000 a month!

Below is the link to the history and the maps.

Mine Hill

For a bite nearby I have enjoyed Marketplace kitchen and bar in Woodbury.

Inspiration- Embracing the fog

Professionally, my focus has always been to create a path, overcome roadblocks and clear the fog in an effort to achieve an organizational goal.

I let that bleed into my everyday approach to life which meant I was constantly trying to fix something for either myself or others. Not always a bad thing but exhausting.

I have now learned to embrace the fog. I write this both literally and metaphorically.

No longer do I look away and try to find a clearing. I see the beauty and mystery in it. It sends me to new thoughts when I think about the fog itself instead of seeing it as a hindrance and when and how to clear it. Seems also appropriate to share, today, Veterans day, where we celebrate all the men and women who serve the country when their path is so uncertain. They go into the unknown, they embrace the fog.

Observe how the fog seems to float on top of the forest. It also reflected the light through and created a glow beneath that lit up a path I had forgotten.

With each new thought your mind and spirit grows- even if only briefly I invite you to embrace the fog and don’t let it prevent you from seeing something new.

Follow me to learn of opportunities to embrace the fog!

CT: Fairfield County-Southport- Southport Beach

Secret Sunrise!

After the beach season ends the doors open to so many wonderful sights otherwise restricted to town residents.

Although small, Southport beach is a cove right off the road making it quite easy for a stop whether driving or biking. Please note that while there aren’t many parking spots, my suggestion is to go off season.

I first discovered this beach by biking the coastline of Fairfield County Connecticut. This is very well marked if you follow the east coast greenway signs.

I decided early one morning to catch the sunrise and was delighted to confirm that indeed Southport beach was a beautiful spot.

CT: New London County-Colchester-Cato Corner Farm

Do you like cheese? I mean real cheese?

I very much enjoy biking the airline trail (separate pending blog) and when I do I will always reward myself by jumping off the trail and heading to Cato Corner. Check out the link below for their cheeses, meats and other items.

https://www.catocornerfarm.com/

My go to are their “womanchego” and “bloomsday”. Additionally you can walk around the farm and get to know the cows, chickens and ducks that roam around (#ROLA)

I was fortunate enough to meet twin cows only three weeks old – Lucy and Peter. Although we are uncertain which is pictured above. Having grown up in NYC this was my first experience with a 3 week old cow.

Coming to Cato Corner is not a short trip for me but it’s well worth it so stock up! Please note they now have a stand outside their door with sanitizer due to the pandemic so all very safe.

I very much enjoy pairing their cheese with wine from Hopkins Vineyard and bread from Bantam Bread in Litchfield! Isn’t that Connecticut Wonderful!

In the link below are other activities in Colchester I have enjoyed.

https://btographytravels.com/2020/11/26/ct-new-london-county-colchester-tour/

CT: Litchfield County- Washington Depot- Macricostas Preserve

Pick your adventure and go – a mix of meadow, farmland, wooded ridge and wetlands with two amazing lookouts.

I have frequented Lake Waramaug, Hopkins Vineyard and Hopkins Inn and had heard of the preserve that began with an “M” near by. I will no longer forget the name of Macricostas preserve as it left an impression.

There are four main points of interest and on this visit I saw the two overlooks.

Judea Garden

I look forward to returning in the spring to see the garden as well as come back with my baby cousins to walk Story Walk (#ROLA). From there the walk began to the lookout.

Macricostas Lookout

There are two paths to get to the lookouts. A shorter steeper climb versus a longer more gradual one. While I took the shorter one, the longer one is only about an additional 15 minutes.

The lookout was awesome. Although it was past peak, the minimal leaves facilitated using the trees as frames for photo ops. Additionally I could see the Bee Brook River meander through the marsh from the overlook.

Waramaug Rock & View

The rock itself was massive and quite impressive when viewed with the student reading at the top. It was awesome to have a clear day and see both the lake and the mountain ranges beyond. I do recommend a walking stick for the climb back down.

Marsh Viewing Platform

While I didn’t make it to the platform today, I look forward to returning to see Judah’s Garden and will couple it with the platform.

As touched upon above, I have enjoyed Hopkins Inn for a bite which overlooks Lake Waramaug on the other side of the lake with Hopkins Vineyard next door. Both with blogs pending.

https://steeprockassoc.org/macricostas-preserve/

Let’s together find more easy moments of inspiration in nature!

CT: Litchfield County- Washington- Steep Rock Preserve

Don’t be deceived by the name. Steep Rock has options for everyone.

Steep Rock preserve certainly has character with its bridges, train tunnel, rock scrambles and summit. There are different levels of trails for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding.

Along the Shepaug River there were many wonderful vistas and opportunities to pause with picnic tables.

I did a trail loop around the river clockwise. I have read some have recommended counter clockwise. The clockwise route starts flat beside the river.

There is an opportunity to then go onto the trail that leads to the train tunnel. Which had a majestic look as you enter into the darkness, within as you listen to the echos and as you exit to the light with the colorful trees beyond.

Returning back on the other side of the river was a different type of hike. There are portions that are indeed a rock scramble where you need your hands as well as your feet to get over the rocks along the side of a narrow path.

There are other trail options as well as a hike to a summit which I look forward to when I return.

I recommend having lunch at GW Tavern which is also along the river with outdoor dining. They’re food and ambience deserve and has its own blog.

CT: New Haven County- New Haven- L’Orcio Restaurant

Ciao from L’Orcio!

After my bike climb to the summit of East Rock Park and seeing an awesome sunset, I felt I deserved a good meal if I could find one outdoors.

Approximately 5 miles away I found a beautiful outdoor venue at L’Orcio. It has a well decorated outdoor patio with socially distanced tables. While reservations are highly encouraged I was able to secure a lovely spot in a corner with a heat lamp overhead.

Channel 8 CT happened to also be filming this evening and so I learned of the love story behind the Italian husband and the US wife who met in Italy and returned together to create this family owned restaurant.

Not surprisingly, there was a quality wine selection and menu options. I was so aromatically impressed by the Branzino with a scent of fresh rosemary upon arrival. It was not only delicious but a fun surprise to find it had been stuffed with a fresh sprig.

While I rarely engage in dessert I made an exception here as not only did they make the dessert on premise but I found a unique option in the chocolate mousse cake with rum soaked almond amaretto cookie crust . . . With whipped cream of course!

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Metered parking is also available across the street for the area.