Happy Halloween

Gay City State Park

Graveyards around Halloween seem just a little bit spookier, even in broad daylight.  This small cemetery is one of the few reminders that there was once a community in what is now Gay City State Park.  The upper headstone marks the grave of Rev Henry P Sumner, one of the founders of his community and it's religious leader.  The lower picture is the grave of Matilda, Henry's daughter.  At one time the small religious sect that settled in this area in 1796, reached a  total 25 families, the majority of which had "Gay" as their surname.  The area was originally known as Factory Hollow and in keeping with the spirit of Halloween, the place has been reported as being haunted.  But one can say that of just about any place here in New England.  Happy Halloween.

White Trail at Gay City State Park

Gay City State Park

Autumn is slipping away, and I think the fall colors have reached their peak here in southeast Connecticut.  Before all the colors were gone I was able to get out for a nice hike in one of our fine state parks.  I had not been to Gay City State Park, and was looking forward to finding the ruins of an old mill and some other structures, that were left here when this area was once a thriving community.  I found the trails there well marked and the hiking was pretty easy.  I'll have some more pictures and some history as well, about this state park in future posts this week.  

Early Morning Fall Color

Branford, CT

Bows

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT

Just part of the collection of small watercraft housed in the Collections Research Center at Mystic Seaport.  

Aida

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT

I have photographed this sailboat many times this summer.  In fact it has been the subject of a couple of posts in this blog.  I think one image was in black and white, and the other featured a nice reflection.  Recently I was reading Mystic Seaport's Fall Magazine and came across a small article about his particular sailboat.  It was designed by N.G. Herreshoff and built in 1926.  It is the subject of it's own book, where it is described as being the finest shallow-draft yawl built by Herreshoff.  She had four owners and was recently restored and donated to Mystic Seaport.  Apparently she is a pleasure to sail.  

Shiver Me Timbers

West Yarmouth, MA

Barnstable Home

Barnstable, MA

The Victorian Inn

Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, MA

When traveling, my wife and I enjoy staying at local Bed and Breakfasts, some of which have been the subject of a couple my blog posts.  The Victorian Inn looks like a lovely place to stay, although I think it's a little more lavish than your typical B&B.  On this trip, we didn't need to spend the night, so we didn't have the chance to stay here.  Maybe on our next trip to Martha's Vineyard.....

Row Boats

Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard, MA

I've had some other priorities lately, and have not been able to get out much to do much photography.  I guess that means I'm too busy.  I usually like to post recent photographs, but for the next few posts, I'm going back some photos taken at the end of August on Martha's Vineyard.  

Velvet Mill

Stonington, CT

An old velvet mill in Stonington has been repurposed into space for a number of businesses.  There is even a craft brewery here, Beer'd Brewing, whose beers I highly recommend, after having sample them on this particular Saturday afternoon. 

Tina Marie and Lil Bit

Stonington, CT

Charlotte Elizabeth

Stonington, CT

Tradition

Stonington, CT

I remember reading somewhere that Stonington is the only town along the coast of Connecticut that still has a commercial fishing fleet.  This is just part of the fleet.

Mystic River Morning

Mystic, CT

The photo was taken on Saturday, October 12, and things sill looked pretty green around this part of Connecticut.  I've noticed a lot more color in the area this week in my drives along I-95.  It's amazing how fast the leaves change.

I'll be away from my computer for the weekend, and won't be able to respond to comments.  I hope to find some time this weekend for photography, but in the meantime, I've scheduled some posts for the weekend.  Enjoy the weekend!

Canon Square

Stonington, CT

During the War of 1812, the British decided to attack the town of Stonington.  So on August 9, 1814 four British ships under the command of Capt. Thomas Hardy, appeared off of Stonington Point.  A hand written letter was transferred by rowboat to the towns people of Stonington, warning them that they had 1 hour to leave, before the village would be destroyed.  Little did the British know that hidden in a shed nearby were these two cannons.  The people decided to stay and fight, rolling out these canons, and over the next 4 days inflicted heavy damage on the British ships and successfully defended their town.  The victory had a huge psychological impact on the war for this small town defeated a much more powerful British force.  These are the actual cannons used to defend Stonington, now standing in Canon Square.