Mural

New London, CT

Swing Bridge

New London, CT

Bank St

New London, CT

Sea Gull

New London, CT

Gulls are pretty easy to photograph.  I wish they were a little prettier

Ferries

New London, CT

Here Come the Irish!!

Notre Dame Stadium

Ok, I am a bit prejudiced, but to me there is nothing quite like the excitement of big-time college football, especially at Notre Dame.  

Hesburgh Library

University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN

Officially the mural which adorns the front of the Hesburgh Library is titled, "The Word of Life" and was created by artist, Millard Sheets.  It depicts the  resurrected Jesus Christ.  Unofficially, everyone knows the mural as "Touchdown Jesus".  This picture was taken from atop Notre Dame stadium just prior to the start last Saturday's game against Brigham Young University.  I find it hard to believe that close to 40 years ago, I would spend many an evening in that library.

Cypress Cemetery

Old Saybrook

This cemetery is aptly named with many of the historic headstones nestled amongst and protected by the many large cypress trees. 

The Collegiate School Site

Old Saybrook, CT

In 1701 a charter was granted for the establishment of a school at this site,

“wherein Youth may be instructed in the Arts and Sciences [and] through the blessing of Almighty God may be fitted for Publick employment both in Church and Civil State.”

Originally called The Collegiate School, it was moved from Old Saybrook to New Haven in 1716 and re-named Yale College in 1718. Such  humble beginning for what is today one of the great universities of the world.

Roundhouse

Old Saybrook, CT

There is quite a bit of history at Old Saybrook Point.  This site was once occupied by a fort which eventually made way for a roundhouse serving the Connecticut Vally Railroad.  The railroad ran between Old Saybrook and Hartford starting in 1871.  The rail line eventually became a part of the New Haven Railroad in 1892, and operated up until 1968.  Today part of the railroad is still being used by the Essex Steam Train, which was pictured in this post.  Today, this is all that is left of the roundhouse and turntable

Lion Gardiner

Old Saybrook, CT

Lion Gardiner was a military engineer who was contracted by Gov. John Winthrop in 1635 to build a fort and lay out a town, which would become Old Saybrook.  He arrived in what is now Old Saybrook in March, 1636 along with his wife, Mary and began to build a palisade.  His wife gave birth to his son, David in April, the first recorded birth of an English child in Connecticut.  

Tree Against an October Sky

Old Saybrook, CT

Salt Marsh

Old Saybrook, CT

Two More for the Road

Allow me two more antique autos.  I have many more pictures from this year's Antique Auto Show, but it's time to move on to other subjects.  I'll save some others for a later date, when I'm desperate for a picture to post.  

 1907 Maxwell Model R/L Tour About

1910 REO Delivery Wagon

1912 Overland Model 59R Roadster

I think I saw cars at this show representing all of the major American automobile manufacturers of today.  There were many Ford Model T's and Model A's, as well as Chryslers, Dodge, Buicks, Cadillacs, and even a Chevy.   I had never seen, nor do I know anything about this particular manufacturer.  At one time there were many more automobile manufacturers than there are today.

Bentley

I'm pretty sure this is the other antique automobile on display that is valued at over a million dollars.  It was parked right next to the 1928 Mercedes-Benz which was posted last week.  I didn't catch what year this model is, but I would imagine it was circa 1925.  Notice the leather belts holding the engine cover/hood in place.

1903 Franklin

According to the placard, this is the oldest 4-cylinder car in America that's still running. I'm pretty sure it was the oldest car I saw on display at the show.  

Rolls Royce

Rolls Royce Reflections

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT

Today's automobiles don't have nearly as much metal and chrome trims as some of the antique auto's on  display.  Lots of interesting reflections are possible with these cars.  I'm linking this to Weekend Reflections, hosted by James.  You can see many more interesting reflections here.  Have a nice weekend and thanks for looking.

1926 Pierce-Arrow Model 80 Runabout

Since I started blogging over a year ago now, I have found a number of blogs that interest and inspire me not only from a photographic standpoint, but in also the subject matter presented.  One of my many favorites is A Second Look, by John D Linn.  His photos always truly deserve a second look.  By coincidence, the week after the Antique Car show, one of John's posts was a picture taken at the Pierce-Arrow Museum near Buffalo, NY.  When I read that post, I knew I had to post this picture of a 1923 Pierce-Arrow,  presented here as John might have posted it, although probably not nearly as well as he would do it. To see what I mean, you can check out John's Pierce-Arrow here.  Still, if for only being a somewhat rare, antique automobile, I hope this picture garners a second look.

Model T Thursday

By far, the most prevalent auto on display was Ford's Model T.  Some of the Model T's are now over 100 years old, one of which is pictured below.

1911 Model T Touring

1915 Model T Roadster

1915 Model T Roadster

1928 Mercedes Benz

Readers of this blog know of my love for Mystic Seaport, the Museum of America and the Sea.  I spend a lot of time there and look forward every year to a number of their special events.  In fact the very first picture I posted on this blog was taken at the Seaport during their annual antique auto show just about a year ago.  That picture was of this 1928 Mercedes Benz.  This year's show featured a return appearance of this classic car, along with approximately 100 automobiles, most of which were made before 1930.  

There was a rumor going around the Seaport that this car is valued at a million dollars now, and it was one of two cars on display that are worth a million.   I'm not sure what's more impressive to me; the level of craftsmanship that went into the original automobile, or the level of craftsmanship needed today to maintain this auto, as well as all the others that were on display.  I'll be posting other pictures of classic autos for the remainder of the week.  You'll have to return later this week to see the other million dollar auto on display.

American Elm

Old Lyme, CT

Dutch Elm Disease virtually wiped out the population elm trees in America.   It's caused by a fungus spread by a number of varieties of bark beetle.  The trees were very prevalent in Connecticut at one time.  In fact the city of New Haven is known as the Elm City.  Now a days, it's rare to find a mature elm tree.  This one is located on the property of the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, CT.  

One Year Later.....

Oswegatchie Hills, Niantic, CT

After a very nice hike through the Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve, these benches were just what the doctor the ordered and provided a comfortable spot to sit and rest.  This is a somewhat special post, in that it marks the first year my blog.  When I started, I wasn't sure what to expect.  I wanted to share some of my photography with others, both the good pictures, and the not so good pictures.  Hopefully someone out there has enjoyed the pictures.  I've made some new online friends, and I'm grateful for everyone who has visited the blog and left a comment or two. 

Gorton Pond II

Niantic, CT

Here's my contribution for this week's Weekend Reflections.  Have a nice weekend everyone, and thanks for looking.  You can see many more fine reflections here.  Thank you James for hosting Weekend Reflections, now going on three years!  

Cairn

Oswegatchie Hills, Niantic, CT

The dictionary defines a cairn as a mound of rough stones built as a memorial or landmark, typically on a hilltop or skyline; or a prehistoric burial ground made of stones.  As much as I'd like to believe this cairn to be of prehistoric origins, I think it was placed here in modern times.  I have come across other cairns in this preserve.   I'm not sure who made them or why they were made.

Rock Ridge

Oswegatchie Hills, Niantic, CT

Following along the red trail, I came upon this ridge of solid rock.  It's amazing that even without any soil to speak of at this part of the trail, somehow trees have taken a foot hold in the bedrock and can survive.

Rock Formations

Oswegatchie Hills, Niantic, CT

The trail passed many interesting rock formations like the ones shown here.  Readers of this blog know that I'm fascinated by rock formations, and have featured them many times in my posts.  I wonder how old these formations are and how they were formed.  I also wonder how long they have been in their present location.  

Saturday Morning Hike

Oswegatchie Hills 

The Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve is a 420-acre preserve which overlooks the Niantic River to the east.  The trails there are very well marked and it's a great place to take a hike, as I did a couple of weekends ago.  There are wetlands, dense forest, and interesting rock formations.  I started along the Red Trail with my camera in hand and although I've posted some pictures from the preserve before, I always find something else interesting to photograph.  

Tavern by the Sea

Wickford, RI

The historic Village of Wickford is located on a little cove/harbor just off of Naragansett Bay in Rhode Island.  It gives a glimpse into what a New England village looked like about 100 years ago.  There are many churches, and houses dating from the 1700's there.  Today it offers boating, shopping and some fine restaurants, like the one shown above.