Gillette’s Castle State Park, East Haddam, CT

26 04 2022
Early saxifrage was abundant
The ferry was running
Exploring the river frontage: my feet got wet!
Remains of the Aunt Polly, Gillette’s boat
One of train tunnels
Gillette’s assistant Osaki’s house
Lunch at Two Wrasslin’ Cats

As part of: 2022 DEEP Sky’s the Limit Challenge List





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

17 10 2021

Lunch at the Goose and Gander, Thomaston, CT

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

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





Chatfield Hollow SP, Killingworth, CT

7 05 2021

Red Covered Bridge

Good flow of water

This fella caught his first fish in two years just below that flow of water

Signs of spring

Lots of history here

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





East Haddam CT Preserves: Sabine and Hammon Mill

3 01 2021

SABINE: a gracious walk that includes a pleasant stop along Moodus Reservoir. Due to the abundance of recent rains, mushrooms were prolific.

HAMMON MILL: a fascinating historical site of an old mill and sluiceways, dedicated to the Kashanskis, whom I knew. Erosion along the stream was striking.

East Haddam Preserves were visited as part of the Find the Chairs Challenge. I was grateful to discover these sites that I’d never seen in town. They were clearly identified along the road and trails were well marked.





East Haddam CT Preserves: Duncan and Urbanek

27 12 2020

DUNCAN: with an initial path through an historic church site, this area falls and rises through interesting rock formations to reward with a lovely view of the Connecticut River. A cold and startled ribbon snake and hidden rock caves delighted.

URBANIK: named after the uncle of a high school classmate, this tranquil pond reflected the sky’s turbulence of the day.

East Haddam Preserves were visited as part of the Find the Chairs Challenge. I was grateful to discover these sites that I’d never seen in town. They were clearly identified along the road and trails were well marked.





East Haddam CT Preserves: Hatch Lot and Hidden Valley

20 12 2020

HATCH LOT: an unassuming name to a very nice spot. Near the parking lot, native plants are being introduced. The ascent to the vista did cause some difficulty breathing, especially due to wearing masks. But the view of the sliver of the Connecticut River and hint of Long Island Sound were well worthwhile. We encountered some hunters within the parcel and appreciated our orange vests we were wearing, as it was not a Sunday.

HIDDEN VALLEY: a relatively short trail to a charming spot along the Moodus River. Due to recent rains, the flow was pleasantly noisy. Efforts to follow the trail on the other side of the river were hampered by proximity to neighbors.

East Haddam Preserves were visited as part of the Find the Chairs Challenge. I was grateful to discover these sites that I’d never seen in town. They were clearly identified along the road and trails were well marked.





The Preserve

13 12 2020

I find it presumptuous that this place is called The Preserve, as if there is no other.

I’m grateful for its preservation, despite its multiple same-colored loop trails that provide no insight into which direction is home.

I celebrate the new sign, in perhaps the newest state forest?





Meshomasic State Forest

6 12 2020

As the oldest state forest in New England, this area seemed a priority to visit. The entrance off Clark Hill Road was not marked by name, although the state forest boundary markers were apparent. The forest access road crossed the Shenipsit blue-blazed trail, which I took up to the Great Hill lookout.

The view of Great Hill Pond and the Connecticut River from the top of Great Hill were extraordinary.

Turkey vultures soared overhead on the perfect autumn day I visited.

(This is part of the DEEP Sky’s the Limit 2020 challenge which encourages us to get outdoors.)





Nayantaquit Trail

22 11 2020

This trail, In Lyme, is a loop trail that has some ups and downs.

The fall beauty was lovely and rock formations were interesting.

Lots of mushrooms after our recent rains, also.

(This is part of the DEEP Sky’s the Limit 2020 challenge which encourages us to get outdoors.)





Lone Pine Trail

15 11 2020

This trail ascends and crosses the Braemore Preserve, which is a 95-acre scenic holding of the Town of Guilford, before joining the Mattabesett Trail.

Fall colors abounded on my hike; the crunch of leaves under foot and some interesting features, such as large quartz nuggets and unusual root uplifts made this an interesting walk.

(This is part of the DEEP Sky’s the Limit 2020 challenge which encourages us to get outdoors.)