Welcome to the October 27th edition of our Hiking Adventures in Pictures

Welcome Hiking Fans!

This past week Rob, Deb, and I traveled out to the Chatfield Hollow State Park in Killingworth, Connecticut. This is the same trail that has famously become known as the "Bee Hike."







See everyone next week!
Joe

Welcome to the October 20th edition of our Hiking Adventures in Pictures

Welcome Hiking Fans!

This week, Deb was not able to join us, so I thought that it would be nice if I invited my niece, Ashlyn to balance us out. Here is how it went.

I was running a little late getting to Sof and Rob's this week because I offered to pick up Ashlyn at the last minute. Thank God Deb wasn't with me, cause she would have been all up in arms. But to be fair, I really should have planned on leaving the house earlier. And Sof said I was fired, so I really need to be on time next week. :-)



We ended up wasting even more time when we finally arrived at our trailhead to find about 7 or 8 pickup trucks, with hunters with their orange vests on, getting ready for a the first day of hunting season. We quickly decided to retreat and take our chances with hiking around Green Falls instead. Look... see... even a little squirrel was worried... hiding out, hoping to get through another hunting season.



The different types of terrain that the trails allow the hiker to surround themselves in around Green Falls really are quite varied, and beautiful. At one point, your stepping over rocks and roots that follow the water along Green Falls Pond. Then towards the back side of the pond, there are an abundance of large ever-greens overhead, which then turns into an area that is the most stunning, where a stream cuts through a fairly large, steep, rocky canyon. The picture below is at the dam, which is at the far end of the canyon where the pond feeds the stream.



After the hike we ended up at the Starbucks in Montville, and then struck-out trying to have lunch at a few places, but eventually eat at Astella's in Norwich.

See everyone next week!
Joe

Welcome to the October 13th edition of our Hiking Adventures in Pictures

Welcome Hiking Fans!

This week, the girls weren't able to make it, so I got in touch with Rob and my brother Rich, and we had a go of it.

Rob suggested that we meet at the intersection of RT 201 and RT 2 and hike towards Wyassap Lake on the Narragansett Trail, and then turn around to double back once we reach the lake. We started off at about 10 after 8 on Saturday morning.

The weather was a little chilly at first, but it warmed up fairly quickly. And usually this trail is very wet in numerous spots, but this time out, it was relatively dry. Also, the stream crossings were all fairly easy. Most of the rocks that were needed to step on were all significantly above water, and for the most part, stable. Although, Rich did slip on one rock, and fall, getting a little wet in one spot.




We ended up stopping at the beaver dam and took a few snapshots. And after a short drink, onward we went...

We eventually reached our half-way point, Wyassup Lake, and encountered a duck that we think wasn't doing so good. He (or she) either wasn't very afraid of us, or was not feeling up to par enough to try to get away. Here's Rob getting a better look at him.




We rested a bit, hydrated, and then did our loop-d-loop there in the parking lot before heading back.

Here is another picture of us almost at the end, overlooking the trees at one of the best scenic overlooks on that leg of the trail.



We ended up walking about 7.6 miles in about 2 hours and 45 minutes. Not too bad.

See everyone next week!
Joe

Welcome to the October 6th edition of our Hiking Adventures in Pictures

Welcome Hiking Fans!

This past week, Deb and I met Sof and Rob at Rocky Neck State Park in Niantic, CT.

We hiked about 4 miles, doing one loop around the grounds there. Towards the end of our hike, we enjoyed the warmth of the sun for a good while relaxing on the big stone deck at the pavilion and also on the benches overlooking the ocean. We then finished up by taking a leisurely walk along the beach, back to our cars.



Here's some history related to Rocky Neck I found on wikipedia.org

Rocky Neck is a 710-acre recreation spot located on Long Island Sound in the town of East Lyme, Connecticut. The public now enjoys use of the park because of a few conservationists who secured the land in 1931, using their personal funds until the State Legislature authorized its purchase.

In the 1930s, relief agencies constructed the curved masonry building of native materials and crafted supporting pillars with wood cut from each of the state parks and forests.[citation needed] Diverse trails within the park providewalks to the salt marsh and to such points of interest as Baker's Cave, Tony's Nose and Shipyard. Family camping within walking distance of saltwater bathing is also popular, with 160 wooded and open campsites offering vacationers overnight accommodations.

Bounded on the west by a tidal river and to the east by a broad salt marsh, Rocky Neck was known to early inhabitants as a place of abundant fish and wildlife. Today, high spring tides allow schools of herring to swim into Bride Brook toward inland spawning grounds. The osprey is a frequent early summer visitor. In the fall, cranes, herons and swans wade among cattails and rose mallow. Seasonal changes provide opportunities to fish for mackerel, striped bass, blackfish, and flounder.

We then pampered ourselves with lattes, hot chocolate, cream filled pumpkin muffins, and banana bread outside on Starbuck's patio furniture, under the sun. Then for lunch, we decided to sit out on the deck, soaking up more of the sun, at the Muddy Waters cafe in the middle of downtown New London, on Bank Street. Saturday really was a beautiful day.

Hope to see everyone next week!
Joe