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