Beth Lapin

Osbornedale SP/Derby & Black Rock SP/Watertown, CT

17 10 2021

Lunch at the Goose and Gander, Thomaston, CT

Black Rock, view from the top (no, this was not “easy to moderate,” as claimed by DEEP)

Thanks for Angie for her company, photos, and trail confirmation

As part of: 2021 DEEP Sky’s the Limit Challenge List

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Tags: Black Rock SP, Connecticut, Osborneborne SP
Categories : Beth Lapin Blog, DEEP Sky's the Limit

Salmon River State Forest, East Hampton/Colchester, CT

11 10 2021

Yummy rewards at Po’s Rice and Spice in East Hampton, CT

As part of: 2021 DEEP Sky’s the Limit Challenge List

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Tags: Po's Rice and Spice, Salmon River
Categories : Beth Lapin Blog, DEEP Sky's the Limit

Devil’s Hopyard SP, East Haddam CT

28 09 2021

Cooler weather has renewed my interest in hiking. Cherry and I set out to explore Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Haddam, Ct.

Recent rainfall has Chapman Falls flowing strongly

Eight Mile River from the covered bridge

Of course we had to have lunch afterwards. Two Wrasslin’ Cats was our choice. I remembered to snap a photo just before we finished!

As part of: 2021 DEEP Sky’s the Limit Challenge List

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Tags: Devil's Hopyard, Two Wrasslin' Cats
Categories : Beth Lapin Blog, DEEP Sky's the Limit

Cockaponset SF, Haddam/Chester CT

22 06 2021

Amazing rocks and forest, ferns and trails in this large state forest

Historically, the area was timbered extensively. This is the current view of the overstory at the old fire station. Impossible to spot any forest fires from this area now.

Moutain laurel was just past peak bloom. Here is an interesting growth formation of one laurel shrub

Collier’s hut remains included its fireplace. Hard to envision this use of the forest.

Beautiful Hackney Marsh, a Ducks Unlimited project.

Unfortunately, turtle eggs were discovered, probably by a raccoon, and eaten at the edge of the pond.

Hike was followed by a delicious lunch of turkey reuben at Deb’s in Higganum. No photo — eaten too quickly!

As part of: 2021 DEEP Sky’s the Limit Challenge List

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Categories : Beth Lapin Blog, DEEP Sky's the Limit

Silver Sands SP, Milford CT

27 05 2021

Low tide and the tombolo to Charles Island

Refreshing water

Moon jellies

Great egrets

Great Lunch! The Greek Spot

As part of: 2021 DEEP Sky’s the Limit Challenge List

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Categories : Beth Lapin Blog, DEEP Sky's the Limit

Sherwood Island SP, Westport CT

24 05 2021

Back marshes

Beach rose, Rosa rugosa

Dune restoration

Tip-up mound with all vegetation still alive and well

Sept 11 Living memorial

As part of: 2021 DEEP Sky’s the Limit Challenge List

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Categories : Beth Lapin Blog, DEEP Sky's the Limit

Dinosaur SP, Rocky Hill CT

19 05 2021

Dinosaur foot prints led to the establishment of this park

Huge blood root plants indicate rich soils from the eroding trap rock

Wild ginger

A fun butterfly garden sign

A spotted turtle (spotted by Cherry)

Witches’ hats on Witch Hazel: formed by the plant’s reaction to an aphid egg being laid on its surface

As part of: 2021 DEEP Sky’s the Limit Challenge List

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Categories : Beth Lapin Blog, DEEP Sky's the Limit

Wharton Brook SP, North Haven CT

13 05 2021

Allen Brook Pond is the prominent feature at the entrance of this state park.

Swamp pink was a lovely sign of spring.

Low-bush blueberries were flowering.

But the major attraction was the pitch pine forest here. It had been at least 30 years since I’d visited this sandy scrubby forest tucked into North Haven.

Sadly there was no canopy of pitch pine, but some scraggly stressed trees putting out needle bundles all along their trunks.

At its densest, the forest was sparse. Since its establishment as a natural area, the lack of fire/management apparently led to the replacement of the pitch pine with other trees.