Welcome to the July 21st edition of our Hiking Adventures in Pictures

Welcome Hiking Fans!

This week's adventures we shook things up a bit. On Thursday after work Deb, Bill, and Becky hiked a loop around Bluff Point and then enjoyed their picnic baskets afterwords. I ended up working a double shift on Thursday, so I was not able to make it but I heard that everything went well. Below is a very nice picture of Bill and Becky showing off their stuff close to the water's edge.



On Saturday Deb and I met Sof, Rob, and Kali in Norwich in route to a trail we haven't conquered before called the Air Line Trail in Hebron, Ct. Sof and Rob found an article in their local newspaper about it and we wanted to go over there and take a look. The trail is part of the Connecticut State Park System, and has a very interesting history. Here's a link to the trail's Wikipedia article for more of that. Also, I found a detailed map and brochure which everyone should take a look at. It's really quite good, and it's in Adobe Acrobat's pdf format. The brochure is an exact replica of one of the signs that's displayed at one of it's many entrances.



This picture was taken under a bridge that crosses a beautiful stream. But up above us, the trail is very flat and straight. It's ideal for hiking in inclement weather, especially in ice and snow because there are virtually no large rocks or other obstacles to trip on. The trail was very busy with hikers, bicyclists, and runners. I imagine that we will be revisiting this trail again, especially in the winter months.

ok folks, I hope to see everyone this coming weekend.
Talk to you all soon,
Joe

Welcome to the July 14th edition of our Hiking Adventures in Pictures

Welcome Hikers!

This week, Bill and Becky picked up Deb and I at our house, and then drove us all over to the trailhead at the far end of the Arcadia Management Area for our Thursday night adventure. We were not able to hike this past weekend because we were celebrating Christina's 19th birthday in New York City.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTINA!!!



We entered Arcadia closest to the bridge traversing over the Stepping Stone Falls, on the Ben-Utter Trail. It wasn't long before we were awe-struck by an extremely large moth we found stretching out on a tree, which I took a few pictures of. Deb and I had seen a similar moth at her brother John's house, and since then, Deb did a bit of research about them. Maybe she could give us a little incite about them in a reply.



We shortly thereafter stopped to take in the scenery (and more pictures) in and around the remnants of an old griss mill.



At our loop-d-loop point, we then took some more group shots. This first shot was taken on the trail itself, while the next one was taken off to the right a bit, closer to the stream that the trail was following.





After invigorating our senses, and in need of a refreshing drink or two, we decided to have dinner at the South County Tavern. Dinner was really nice, and we ended up staying there quite late enjoying each others company.

We all are planning on meeting at Bluff Point again on Thursday after work if anyone wants to join us. Also, we are all bringing a picnic basket filled with goodies so that we can enjoy an evening snack afterwords.

See everyone on Thursday!
Joe

Welcome to the July 7th edition of our Hiking Adventures in Pictures

Welcome Hikers!

Again this week we have managed to hike once during our busy week, and again on the weekend.

On Wednesday, after work, Bill and Becky picked Deb and I up and we all met Sof, Rob, and Kali at Bluff Point with plans to hike once around, and then enjoy a picnic afterwards. During our walk, we stopped to snap a few group shots at the water's edge.



After our picnic, we all stopped at DQ and ate much more ice cream than we should have. At least I did. I hope we are able keep this week-day hike going, especially after all that ice cream!



Here's a picture of Bill before we got our picnic baskets out.



On Friday, July 4th, Deb and I met Sof, Rob, and Kali in Norwich. When we arrived, we got an extremely excited welcome from Kali who immediately understood that we were going hiking again. She was jumping up and down and making high pitched joyous yelps that made us all laugh. Kali enjoys our adventures just as much as we do.



We all jumped into Sof's truck while Rob drove us to the trail head. It was a wet and extremely humid morning, but the rain and the clouds did help to keep the temperature below the boiling point. The Wolf Den is a wonderful trail to hike while it is raining because the tree cover is dense enough to partially shelter us from the rain. We did get wet, but not nearly as much as we would have if we were out in the open.



Our lunch after the hike this week was one of the best on record. We drove into downtown Putnam hoping to eat at the Bistro, but it was closed because of it being the 4th of July. So we decided to make do with what was available at the Victoria Station Cafe. At least it was open.

Since the last time we were at that cafe, they moved to the other side of the block and we were impressed with the comfortable atmosphere, poetry reading nights scheduled, and a musician at a large grand piano. We all ordered croissant and egg sandwiches, various types of quiche, and our favorite lattes. Then we proceeded to relax on a couch that was in front of an unlit fireplace/bookcase surround with a rendition of Charlie Brown's Christmas playing live in the background. The croissant sandwiches were exceptionally well prepared, and our lattes were delicious. Sof and Deb eventually relaxed even more by sitting on the floor in front of the coffee table that we all sat in front of. For dessert, we had chocolate cookies, cannoli, and cherry cheesecake. We all chatted and joked leisurely the whole time, leaving feeling rejuvenated from our vigorous adventures. We all were impressed by the unexpectedly good time we all enjoyed and talked of having to go back there again. Later that day we were all relaxing in Sof's pool, and it turned out to be a wonderful day.

ok, see everyone next week,
Joe