Jordan Cove

Waterford, CT

This is being linked to Weekend Reflections hosted by James.  Please check out that blog for other reflections.  Have a nice weekend, and thanks for looking

Ocean Beach Park

New London, CT

Beaches are quiet and lonely places in the late fall, and winter seasons.  On this particular afternoon, there were a few people walking the boardwalk, but I had the beach to myself.  

Sea and Sky

Ocean Beach, New London, CT

No Wheels

Westbrook, CT

I'm assuming those in authority here don't want any roller skating, roller blading or skate boarding on the jetty.  This was found at the Town Beach of Westbrook,  CT.  I'm not familiar with the beach  and had not seen it before Hurricane Sandy, so it was hard to assess the damages here.  It was obvious there was sand in places where there shouldn't be sand and some erosion of the beach.  I would like to believe that this concrete block is supposed to be exactly where it is and was not moved from some distant place as a result of Sandy.

Hewitt Flyfishing Pond

North Stonington, CT

This is a view of the pond mentioned in my previous post.  It's also known as Gallup Pond.  I've never done any fly fishing, but might pick it up as a retirement activity, just so I can spend some time at this hidden pond.

Two Dams

Waterford, CT

This dam is at the site of an old grist mill which operated in Jordan Village from 1731 until it was destroyed by fire in 1905.  Some structural elements of that mill remain.  A modern woolen mill was built on the site in 1920 and is well preserved and used for specialty manufacturing today.  The bridge connects the old mill site across Jordan Falls, where Jordan Creek enters into Jordan Cove, to a small park.  Unfortunately the bridge is closed and unsafe to cross.  I couldn't find another entrance to the park.  A very similar bridge is pictured below.

North Stonington, CT

This bridge was built in 2007 and crosses the Shunock River and is in much better shape than the bridge in the first picture.  The dam forms Hewitt Pond, also known as Hewitt Flyfishing Pond or Gallup Pond.  It's a popular fishing spot.  The bridge was made possible by the Thames River Chapter of Trout Unlimited.  

Utility Poles

North Stonington, CT

I'm not sure what moved me to photograph these utility poles.  They seemed a little out of place running through the middle of this field.  There were no houses nearby and they were far removed from any main street.  Still it does appear that they can be serviced as evidenced by the tracks, although I didn't see an obvious way any truck could get to this field.                                                              

Mystic River Reflections

Old Mystic, CT

It's been awhile since I've posted a reflection at Weekend Reflections.  I haven't seen that many good reflections in my wanderings for photo opportunities.  Lest anyone think I've forgotten about Weekend Reflections, here's my contribution for this week.  Thanks to James for hosting.  You can find many more reflections here.

Mystic River Bridge

Mystic, CT

The bridge was built in 1920 and connects both halves of Mystic, CT.  It carries Route 1 across the Mystic River.  It's an example of a "bascule"design, a drawbridge having counterweights to balance the moveable span.  Each of the concrete counterweights on this bridge weighs 230 tons which doesn't quite balance the moveable span's weight of 660 tons, but offsets the weight enough to allow two 40 hp electric motors to open and lower the bridge.  Currently the bridge is undergoing extensive repairs, which is best done during the winter months when there is much less boat and vehicular traffic.  During the summer months, it opens every hour at 40 minutes past the hour, backing up traffic along Route 1 in both directions.

Happy Thanksgiving

Jonathan Edwards Winery

North Stonington, Ct

I'd like to take a moment to wish all readers of this blog a Happy Thanksgiving.  

Jordan Schoolhouse

Waterford, CT

This schoolhouse was built in 1740 and is the oldest surviving public building in Waterford.  It was relocated to the historic Jordan Green in 1972 and is maintained by the Waterford Historical Society

Wagon

Waterford, CT

Along with some historical buildings, one can see this antique wagon on the grounds of the Waterford Historical Society.  

Beebe Phillips House

Waterford, CT

The Beebe Phillips House is a farmhouse built in 1838.  It was moved to it's current location in 1974 where it serves as one of the buildings operated by the Waterford Historical Society as a museum.

Church Steeple

Mystic, CT

Apple Store - New Haven

New Haven, CT

I have used Apple products for quite some time now, and I'm a big fan.  I recently visited this Apple retail store in New Haven to make a purchase and noticed how bright and inviting the store seemed to be in the early evening, which is quite dark this time of the year at 5:30pm.  I have yet to visit an Apple Store anywhere, which isn't busy, no matter what time of day. 

New Haven Evening

New Haven, CT

I don't work too far from New Haven, home of Yale University.  I really need to spend some more time  in this city.  There is so much culture and history here as well as marvelous photo opportunities.  

Saturday Afternoon in Portsmouth

Portsmouth, NH

Portsmouth, NH has become one of my favorite cities in New England to visit.  I've been there a number of times and no matter what time of the year, or day of the week I've visited, there is a certain vitality evident in just walking around.  The scene pictured here is pretty typical of what one would find at any time or day.  

Boat House

Falmouth, ME

Casco Bay

Falmouth, ME

Pigeons

Freeport, ME

Pumpkin Portraits

Freeport, ME

This year our weekend in Freeport, ME coincided with a huge Pumpkin Festival.  Part of the festivities involved pumpkin carving, and I heard that about 8000 pumpkins were carved.  At the end of the day, these pumpkins lined all the walkways and the main street in Freeport.  As you can see, all levels of pumpkin carving skills were on display.

Moose and Bear

LLBean, Freeport ME

There are any number of ways one can sign up to go with a noted photographer on a wildlife Safari and learn how to do real nature photography.  As much as I'd love to participate in such an adventure, at this point in my life, I don't have the time nor the resources.  One could visit a local zoo and with some skill and patience capture some wonderful images of animals "in the wild", or at least a reasonable facsimile of being in the wild.  I, on the other hand, wandered around LL Bean in Freeport, ME and found some nice examples of wildlife on display.  These guys were very cooperative and posed nicely.

Cat and Frog

Freeport, ME

I discovered these sculptures on our annual pilgrimage to Freeport, ME to get a start on the holiday shopping season.  This has become an annual ritual for my wife and me.  We stay at a Bed and Breakfast, shop all the stores, have some nice dinners and just have a nice weekend together.  We can't visit Freeport without stopping in the Edgecomb Pottery store, and making a purchase or two.  Not only do they make great pottery, but they have some very interesting sculptures on display.  I wonder if the frog was inspired by Michigan J Frog? 

Federal Cigar

Portsmouth, NH

I don't smoke, and never have, save for one cigar on the occasion of the birth of my first daughter.  For those that do appreciate a good cigar or fine pipe tobacco, I'm sure you can find both here. I thought their sign was pretty unique.   I found this shop on a side street in Portsmouth, NH.

Cannon

Portsmouth, NH

The inscription on the cannon says that it was taken from the British by Commodore Perry at the Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813.  I'm not sure how it found its way to Portsmouth, NH.

Fort Griswold III

Fort Griswold II

Fort Griswold

Groton, CT

On September 6, 1781 forces under the command of Gen. Benedict Arnold arrived at the mouth of the Thames River.  He dispatched his forces to both sides of the river to attack both the city of New London on the west, and Fort Griswold on the east side of the river.  New London was captured and all properties of "military" significance were burned.  Fort Griswold, under the command of Col. William Ledyard refused to surrender to the advancing British troops.  Eventually the fort was overrun by the British and by some accounts, Col. Ledyard was killed by his own sword, after having surrendered it to the ranking British officer, Major Bromfield.  A massacre ensued resulting in the deaths of 85 of the defenders.  

To commemorate the Battle of Groton Heights, the obelisk was erected between 1826 and 1830.  The fort is preserved pretty much the way it appeared in 1781 and is one of the finest examples of earthen forts which were built in that era still existing today. 

A Little Late......

Portsmouth, NH

I know Halloween is past, but due to hurricane Sandy, I was not able to post this picture earlier in the week.  I had hoped to post a number of "halloween themed" photos this past week, but Sandy had other plans.  Fortunately for us, we had no damage to my property, but we were without power from Monday until today.  Now I'll be able to resume blogging and commenting.  Thanks to everyone who sent their wishes.  Please keep everyone in this part of the country in your thoughts and prayers.  There are many who were not as fortunate.