The Eagle

New London, CT

This is the sailing barque Eagle, used by the US Coast Guard Academy as a training vessel.  The academy is located in New London, and one can often see the Eagle moored in New London harbor.  It is the only commissioned (operational) sailing vessel in the US maritime services. 

Scenic Overlook

Mystic, CT

If I stopped at every scenic overlook I pass in my travels to take pictures, I would probably never get anywhere.  I've stopped at this particular scenic overlook a number of times trying to capture an image that would do the scene justice.  I don't think I've succeeded yet.  The view is of the Mystic River.  To the left of the image is Mystic Seaport, The Museum of America and the Sea, one of my favorite places to visit.  Somewhere in the hills to the right is the site of the first massacre of Native Americans by European settlers  in 1637, during the Pequot Wars.  This event was featured in the History Channel miniseries, "10 Days that Unexpectedly Changed America".  I find it very interesting that such a historic site has no historical marker other than the plaque located at this scenic overlook, at least as far as I know.  I haven't been to find the exact location of Fort Mystic, the site of the massacre, which might now be a part of someone's private property.  Considering the significance of this event, I would think there would be some sort of historical marker, marking the site.

Talcott Brother's Mill

Vernon, CT

I've often wondered what some of these old buildings must have looked like in their heyday.  At first I was not sure what kind of business went on here, but I assumed it was some sort of mill, since there are so many abandoned mills here in Connecticut.  My curiosity led me to do some searching on the web, and I've found that this is the Talcott Brothers Mill, which was built in the 1870's and was one of a number of mills built along the Tankerhoosen River. The mill was operated by the Talcott family until 1940.  More about the history of this area can be found here.  Additional pictures can be seen here and here.  It's amazing what one can find these days on the web with just a few clicks of the mouse.

Fountain

Branford, CT

Another Gazebo

Branford, CT

Readers of this blog have seen other images I have taken of gazebos.  Most that I have found are located in town squares and village greens types of places.  I found this one in Branford, right on the water in a nice little beachfront park.

Boardwalk

New Haven, CT

Yale University

Branford, CT

The weather in Connecticut has been very mild this winter, and from all signs, spring has come early.  During my lunch hour on a recent warm, spring day, I took a walk around Branford Center and came across this monument, commemorating what was essentially the founding of Yale University.  Ministers from the colony of Connecticut met near this site in 1700 and gave books to the Collegiate School, which is now known as Yale University.    

Time to Shop

Montville, CT

I've posted images of this fellow previously.  From the looks of it, he's ready to do some serious shopping.  He must be getting ready for Easter.  I never knew that T-rex needed to shop. 

Weekend Reflections

Branford, CT

I first submitted a photo to the blog Weekend Reflections a couple of weeks ago.  Since then I have not seen nor photographed any dramatic reflections until I ran across this scene earlier this week.  You can see more reflections here.  Thank you to James for hosting Weekend Reflections.

County Courthouse

Medina, OH

Firehouse

Medina, Ohio

There were many colorful buildings surrounding Public Square Park, in Medina.  Of course, the red one here is the firehouse.  

Fountain

Medina, Ohio

This memorial fountain was given to Lathrop Cooley by his wife.  Both were involved in  the temperance movement and extolled the virtues of clean drinking water.  It probably is the most ornate drinking fountain I've ever seen.

WW II Canon

Medina, OH

Barbershop

Medina, OH

Every town square must have at least one barbershop.  This one looked like a pretty classic barbershop.  The only thing really missing is a real barber pole, and of a course  a good quartet. 

Public Square Park Gazebo

Medina, Ohio

Soldier

 Medina, Ohio

                               

I found this soldier doing his duty outside of where else? Why an Army-Navy Store of course.  He seemed to have a lot of character which I tried to capture in the number of photographs I took of him. 

Key Bank

Medina, OH

I can't think of a better name for this bank.

Public Square Park-Benches

 Medina, OH

Judging from the number of park benches found in Medina's Public Square Park, this must be a pretty popular place.  All the benches looked alike and each was attached to a concrete slab, making for a very neat and clean appearance.  

Flat Land

I had lived in the midwest for about 30 years in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan after having grown up in New Jersey.  The landscape in the midwest is quite different from that seen in Connecticut and throughout New England.  The land is very flat. The horizon is only obstructed by buildings, and trees.  There are very few hills and nary a rock to be found anywhere.  Although boring, it does have its own kind of beauty.

Motel 6

Medina, OH

As far as Motel 6's go, this one was pretty nice.  They had an indoor pool.  The rooms were clean and the beds comfortable.  Just what we needed after close to 12 hours on the road. 

Easy On & Off

I-80, near Stroudsburg, PA

This past week found me and my family attending to family matters in Ohio.  We travelled from Connecticut to Ohio along I-80.  After driving all morning, this was seen at the a place we stopped at for lunch.  It takes a long time to drive through Pennsylvania, and we had just entered the state when we stopped for lunch. The rest of the afternoon would be spent in Pennsylvania.  

Long Trail Home

Rocky Shore

Bluff Point State Park

All these boulders were left here by the glaciers which once covered this part of the country.  The glaciers would push and carry all this stuff as they flowed south.  At the southern end the glaciers would melt and recede, leaving behind everything they carried.  This process repeated itself over many thousands of years, until the last glacier receded, approximately 17,500 years ago.   Perhaps in another million years or so, this could be a nice beach.  

Hardy Tree

Bluff Point State Park

Due to the rocky landscape along the coast here, as well as the weather conditions, not much can grow along the shore.  This tree must be pretty hardy to survive here.

Split Rock Close Up

Split Rock

According to old stories, during the winter of 1779 to 1780 on a very cold night, this rock split with a sound like a canon shot.  Whether the story is true or not is not known.  It is known that this was once one rock, probably deposited here along the shore by a glacier.

Rocky Coast II

Bluff Point State Park

Rocky Coast

Bluff Point State Park

Bench and View

Bluff Point State Park, Groton CT

This park bench is not quite as ornate as some of the other ones I've posted on this blog.  It was very comfortable, and came at just the right time during a recent walk in Bluff Point State Park.  While resting, one is treated to the a lovely view of the Poquonnock River shown below.

Poquonnock River

Waterfall

Some of the landscape companies go to great lengths to show off their work.  There were many examples of fountains, ponds, and backyard waterworks.

Cricket

No garden or landscape project would be complete without the addition of this guy.  He reminds me of Jiminy Cricket.

Garden Statue

Along with the flowers on display, there were many landscape displays, and various garden ornaments.  I was so intent on concentrating on focus, exposure, composition, etc., that I never noticed the price tag on her arm until I opened the image on my computer. I'm sure someone highly skilled in post processing could clone it out, but I just left it in to serve as a reminder to be more attentive to the subject when I'm photographing.  It's not quite so obvious below.