Driftwood and Dumbbell

Niantic, CT

It's always fascinating to walk along any beach just to see what has been washed ashore.  Driftwood is  pretty common sight, but I don't think I've ever seen a dumbbell before.  I wonder where it came from.  It obviously has seen better days

Rocky Shore

McCook Point Park, Niantic, CT

Although there are some sandy beaches along the Connecticut coastline most of the shoreline is rocky. Often times one can see exposed bedrock, eroded by the glaciers which covered the state over 14,000 years ago.  Since the shoreline here is protected to the south by Long Island, the action of the waves has done little to erode the bedrock.  In other places one can see the what the glaciers left behind, as shown above.  

McCook Marker and Reference Mark

McCook Point Park, Niantic, CT

There is a sense of permanence to anything attached to bedrock, at least on a human time scale.  These markers were found close to one another at McCook Point Park.  The first remembers John James McCook who was a rector of St John's Episcopal Church in East Hartford back in 1869.  He would spend summers here and purchased the land back in the late 1800's.  Today the land is owned by the city of East Lyme and is maintained as a park.

The second marker is a reference mark used in obtaining precise measurements for land surveying.  From what I was able to quickly learn by a search of the web, this reference mark is pointing to a main base station or triangulation station.  The next time I'm visiting the park, I'll have to see if I can find the base station marker.  I'm sure both markers will be here for many, many years.

Overlooking Crescent Beach

McCook Point Park, Niantic, CT

Although the temperatures were still in the mid 30's and there was a good breeze coming off Long Island Sound, at least the sun was shining and there was blue sky.  Maybe spring will come to Connecticut soon.  This tree stands guard over Crescent Beach and must be pretty hardy, having survived two major tropical storms and this year's blizzard.  

Wine Barrel

Jonathan Edwards Winery

North Stonington, CT

Ready for Spring

Niantic, CT

I've always felt that boats need to be in the water.  When seen like this, they look sort of unhappy.  This one, though, looks like it's ready for spring.

Sculpture-Two Views

Connecticut College, New London, CT

This sculpture adorns the entrance to Castle Court,  the site of the yesterday's post. I think the buildings surrounding the court yard house the visual and performing art departments at Connecticut College.  I would like to think this sculpture represents a dancer.

Bronze Sculpture

Connecticut College, New London, CT

I found this interesting sculpture on the campus of Connecticut College.  The piece makes sense once one reads the title of the sculpture.  The college was originally founded as Connecticut College for Women in 1911.  The name was changed in 1969, close to the date when this sculpture was created, when the college began to admit men.   The sculpture seems very appropriate.

Empty Docks

Niantic, CT

It won't be long before each of these slips will be occupied by a boat of some sort.  In the absence of any boats, the posts did make for an interesting reflection.  You can find many more interesting reflections by visiting Weekend Reflections hosted by James.  Enjoy the weekend! 

"There's no need to fear......."

Niantic, CT

Those of us who grew up back in the 60's and early 70's can complete the title of this post.  This is a very unique boat and certainly one I have not seen before. Usually you can tell by looking what type of boat  it is, whether it be a pleasure craft, a fishing boat, a tugboat, or dredger.  I have no idea what this boat is used for.  It must have some very specific use necessary for bridge building or bridge demolition.  I can see this boat coming to the rescue, but exactly what type of rescue, I'm not sure.  

Blackhawk

Niantic, CT

It appears that each of the charter fishing companies here try to out do each other in adorning their offices.   I've never done any fishing on a charter boat, but it's something I'm going to try one of these days.  I certainly have a number of choices here in Niantic.  I think I'll chose a charter fishing trip based more on what the boat looks like rather than how colorful their offices are.

Capt. John's

Niantic, CT

Here's another of the many charter boat businesses that operate out of the Niantic River.  I like the rustic, weathered look of this building.

Shed

Niantic, CT

On my walk near the Niantic River, I ran across this shed containing some equipment and two office chairs.  There has been a lot of construction in this area the last couple of years as Amtrak has been building a new railroad bridge across the river and also removing the old bridge.  I would imagine this shed had some purpose at one time to support all the construction, but now it has out lived its usefulness.   I obeyed the warning sign posted, and didn't trespass.  I found the writing on the door quite humorous though.

Sunbeam Fishing

Niantic, CT

I don't live too far from downtown Niantic, which is the only village/town along the coast in Connecticut, whose downtown area is right on Long Island Sound.  Just a little east of the downtown area is the Niantic Rivera with its marinas and docks.  There are a number of charter fishing boats that operate out of the Niantic River but not during March.  I'm sure things will get real busy around these docks in another month or so.    

Un-named Boats

Stonington, CT

Notice anything about these boats?  They were moored not far from other boats that I have featured in some recent posts from Stonington, CT.  I'm sure they're part of the commercial fishing fleet that is based in Stonington.  One can tell they're well worn.  What I noticed when I found them is that they have no names, at least not on the bow of the boats.  I've always liked the colorful and whimsical names boat owners come up with when they name their boats, so I felt it kind of sad that they lacked a name.  I didn't get around to view the stern, however, so their names might be on display there.  

Stonington Docks

Stonington, CT

Back Walls

Norwich, CT

Many times the back sides of buildings don't look all that attractive, since they're usually out of sight.  These buildings don't look so bad from behind.  One doesn't see this amount of brickwork in today's buildings, which is one reason, why I'm attracted to this older architecture.

40 Main Street

Norwich, CT

I'm not sure if this building is being used or not.  It does look like it's occupied and kept in good shape.  It was located a little ways up the street from yesterday's old bank building.  Norwich has a number of older buildings which are in the process of being renovated and put to good use.  Then there are some other buildings that are not so lucky.  

Old Bank Building

Norwich, CT

Nestled amongst some of the older buildings in Norwich is this old bank building.  Apparently now it is being used as a professional building. One can barely make out the name of the bank right above the arch.  I think it reads Merchant's National Bank

Norwich Harbor

Norwich, CT

This is the northern most reaches of the Thames River, which has been featured in previous recent posts.  Here in the harbor at Norwich, the Thames River meets the Yantic, Shetucket and Quinebaug Rivers which flow into this harbor.  In the spring and summer months, the harbor is alive with activity catering to pleasure craft of all sizes.

More of the Fleet

Stonington, CT

The sky was overcast, and there was very little sun the day I took this picture.  It didn't make for the best reflections, but I hope it's still worthy of posting to Weekend Reflections hosted by James.  Perhaps in the coming weeks, as spring approaches we'll see a bit more sunshine and some much better reflections.  Have a nice weekend and thanks for looking. 

The Fleet at Stonington

Stonington, CT

Followers of this blog know that I really like boats of all kinds.  I have featured wooden boats, some antique boats and the occasional ferry in some of my posts.  These boats are true working boats, making up part of the commercial fishing fleet calling Stonington their home port.  Although not as pretty as some of the other boats I have featured here, they still have a charm all their own.

Lobster Pots

Stonington, CT

Seen along the docks in Stonington Borough, these lobster pots were stacked, waiting to be put to good use.  Stonington is home to the last remaining commercial fishing fleet in the state of Connecticut.  

Pier

Stonington, CT

Waterfront Gazebo

Stonington, CT

I'm not sure if this can be considered a gazebo or not.  It's not as fancy as the ones I've found in parks and town greens and was found overlooking the bay in Stonington, CT.  Luckily it survived last fall's hurricane.

Oasis Pub and Kelly's

New London, CT

I find the city of New London fascinating from an historical aspect.  At one time due to the natural harbor here, New London was the third busiest whaling port in the world, behind New Bedford and Nantucket.  This of course brought a lot of wealth to the area.  After the decline of the whale trade, there was considerable commercial shipping that came through the port of New London.  I'm sure there is still some commercial shipping to this day, but it's not as important to the area as it once was.  More recently, the city has attracted some large cruise ships using the harbor as a port of call.  I can imagine what the downtown area must have looked like back in the mid to late 1800's with its hotels and taverns   serving all the "needs" of the sailors who worked the ships.  It must have been a pretty rough and rowdy part of town.  A number of buildings remain from that time.  I would guess to say that a number of taverns also remain, updated with today's conveniences with new names and owners, but serving a slightly different crowd these days.  I sense it's not quite as rough and rowdy now a days.

Royal Hotel or Hotel Royal

New London, CT

There are a number of historic buildings along the waterfront in New London.  Depending upon which sign you read and believe, this is either the Royal Hotel, or the Hotel Royal.  I'm not sure why there's a discrepancy but in any event, at one time I bet this was a nice place to stay.

Urban Murals II

New London, CT