The Lyman Viaduct

I was on a mission during my recent hike along the Air Line Trail State Park.  Having learned about the trail and the history of the Air Line Railroad I set out to find one of the engineering marvels I had read about, the Lyman Viaduct.  A quick Google search for the viaduct will turn up all sort of images and some history.  Originally built in 1873, the Lyman Viaduct carried a single track across Dickenson Creek supported by a wrought iron post deck truss design. It was over 1100 feet long and rose to height of 137 feet above the creek.  A picture of what it looked like back in the day is shown below and reminds me of the classic train scenes one sees in old western movies.

It must have been a very impressive site to see, and the views afforded along the viaduct to train passengers must have been magnificent.  As the trains became heavier, the structure became unsafe. So to support the heavier loads, the valley was filled in with sand and gravel, burying the entire trestle and preserving it intact.  Even though it is easy to see pictures of what the viaduct looks like today, I needed to see it for myself.  Here's what I found.

Lyman Viaduct, Colchester, CT

I know long time residents of Connecticut know all about this, but I find this fascinating.  More pictures along the viaduct will be posted in the coming days.

Atop the River Road Bridge

Colchester, CT

This is what the Air Line Railroad looks like today.  Most of the original line is now a linear state park and is a trail popular for hiking, horseback riding and cycling.  This is how the trail looks as it crosses over the River Road Bridge, the subject of yesterday's post. 

River Road Bridge

Colchester, CT

I finally had a chance to do some walking along the Air Line Trail State Park, near Colchester, CT.  The trail follows the right of way of an old railroad line that was the most direct route between New Haven and Boston.  The original railroad began service in 1873 and had a pretty tumultuous history characterized by many mergers and owners.  Eventually it became apparent that the shoreline route to Boston was more economically feasible and the Air Line Railroad ceased to provide passenger service shortly before the start of World War II.  Nevertheless, the construction of this railroad resulted in some great engineering feats some of which exist to this day and can be found along the Air Line Trail.  This brownstone arch bridge was built in 1887, the brownstone blocks coming from a local quarry.  The bridge is 22 feet long and carried the trains 18 feet above the River Road.  

Beware!

Mystic, CT

Buoys

New London, CT

Bouys are floating devices that can serve many different purposes.  The two buoys shown are used to mark a channel and both the color and shape of these buoys are significant. In North America, as one returns from the ocean and is entering a port or a river, the green buoy having a flat top should be kept to the port side or left side of your craft.  The red buoy with the triangular top should be kept to your starboard, or right side.  By doing that, you keep your craft within the channel.  I found these buoys on display out side of the the Custom House Maritime Museum in downtown New London.  You can enter the museum by keeping  the red buoy to your starboard and the green buoy to your port side.  

John's

Mystic, CT

There are a number of "Irish" pubs in Mystic and the surrounding towns here in southeast Connecticut.  I'm proud to say that I have a significant Irish heritage and I have been known to down a pint or two at some of these fine establishments, even here at John's.  I do find it a little disconcerting that according the the sign above the door, which you might not be able to read in this photo, John's was established in 1967,  making it 14 years younger than I am.  For some reason I think all Irish pubs should be hundreds of years old or at least older than 60 years!  Despite being a mere 47 years old, John's did have a nice reflection and for this reason,  I'll be sharing this with other much more outstanding reflections from around the world at Weekend Reflections.  Have a nice weekend and thanks for reading.

Jason's Furniture

New London, CT

I know that Jason's Furniture is still doing business in New London.  Their showroom is located not far from this store front, and looks a lot nicer. So I think they've just moved.  I'm not sure if this location is used anymore by Jason's.  I doubt that placing colorful chairs atop the marquee really helped their business. 

Bulkeley House Saloon

New London, CT

Currently a restaurant/saloon, the Bulkeley House was built in 1790 by Capt. Charles Bulkeley, who was a privateer and an officer in the Navy during the Revolutionary War, sailing with John Paul Jones.  The original building on this property was destroyed when the city of New London was burned by Benedict Arnold in 1781.  Capt. Bulkeley died in 1848 and the property was purchased  by Charles Klink who converted the building into a meat market and ice house.  New London Landmark preservationists saved the house from demolition in 1976 and during the '80's, the house was restored.

Dinin inn

New London, CT

At one time, I bet this would have been a nice place to have a dinner.  Like so many buildings in New London, this inn has seen better days.  

The Eagle - The Bow

New London, CT

Allow me one last picture of the US Coast Guard barque Eagle.  I hope some day to see this ship under full sail.  I'm sure it would be a very impressive sight.

Happy Easter

Montville, CT

Not exactly my idea of an Easter egg.  Happy Easter to all who celebrate.  With Easter comes the hope of some nice spring weather, after a long winter in Connecticut.

Aboard the Eagle-Ship's Bell

New London, CT

Reflections of New London

New London, CT

I've been spending some time walking around downtown New London lately and this reflection caught my eye.  Knowing a little about New London, where I was standing, and looking at this reflection, I thought that it would be hard for this window to catch the reflection shown.  It didn't take too much of a change in my angle of view to snap the picture below, a portion of which is framed in the reflection above.  

In this case, a very wide angle of incidence equaled a same wide angle of reflection.  I learned something from high school physics! I'm sharing this with Weekend Reflections hosted by James.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend and thanks for visiting. 

Aboard the Eagle- The Rigging

New London, CT

I'm amazed that all these lines don't get all tangled up.  

Aboard the Eagle - Helm II

New London, CT

I should've found a Coast Guard cadet to explain to me the purpose of all the helms on board.  This one was located aft and only consisted of a single wheel.  

Aboard the Eagle- Helm

New London, CT

The US Coast Guard barque Eagle is 295 feet long.  I guess you can't steer a ship of that length with only one helm.  This was only one of two "helm stations" I found while taking my self guided tour.  This one is located amidships.  There is also a single-wheeled helm located aft.  

Aboard the Eagle- Lines

New London, CT

There is a very rich and colorful lore to sailing and sailing ships.  There are colorful terms for each part of the ship.  To those not familiar to sailing, these just look like neatly coiled ropes.  On a sailing ship, however any rope that has a purpose is called a line.  These all look like lines to me and not just mere ropes.

Barque Eagle

New London, CT

New London is the home of the US Coast Guard Academy as well as the home port for the barque Eagle, which I've featured in previous posts on this blog.  The tall ship was recently berthed at a pier in downtown New London and was open for a self guided tours.  I couldn't pass up the opportunity to board this vessel and will feature some photos taken while I toured the decks open to visitors.  

Blues Mural

New London, CT

With the blue coloring of this mural, I can't help but think the musicians pictured here are playing the blues.  I guess they could just as easily be jazz musicians.

Mystic Homes

Mystic, CT

I hesitated a long time before posting this picture of homes along the Mystic River nicely reflected in the still waters because it is very similar to a picture I posted a number of weeks ago, but a slightly different view along the river. With this image,  I think I've exhausted my current supply of reflections worthy of sharing with Weekend Reflections.  I'll make it a point this weekend to keep my open for other unique reflections.  Enjoy your weekend and thanks for looking. 

Drummer Mural

New London, CT

Musical Mural

New London, CT

This mural adorns the outside, of all things, ... a music store in downtown New London.  

Whale Mural

New London, CT

New London was once the thirst busiest whaling port in the United States behind only New Bedford, MA and Nantucket, MA.  This mural pays homage to the role that whaling had in the development of New London.  Male sperm whales can grow to a length of over 60 feet and can weigh over 56 tons.  Based on that, this could almost be a life-sized portrait of a sperm whale. 

Nashua Store Fronts

Nashua, NH

Sign Selfie

I need to be much more observant when I'm out on photo walks.  I few weeks ago I was walking around downtown Nashua, NH looking for various photo opportunities.  Along with some very interesting architecture and restored buildings I came across some very colorful signs like the one shown above.  At the time I didn't pay too much attention to the subject of the sign.  Only when I began to edit the photo did I think that the building pictured in the sign looked very unique and familiar to me.  Sure enough, during the same walk, I had photographed the building pictured in the sign due to the striking turret along the corner of the building.  I never connected the two until I started editing.

Nashua, NH

If I realized the connection, I would have tried to photograph the building as it appears in the sign. 

Ancient Mariner

Mystic, CT

Mystic CT has a number of fine restaurants, and in the years I've lived in the area and have been visiting Mystic, I've dined at just about all of them.  I haven't found a bad one yet.  I had a very nice lunch here one day and would recommend it to anyone visiting Mystic.  

Catherine Elizabeth

Mystic, CT

I think this boat is named appropriately.  I have never met a Catherine or an Elizabeth who wasn't a beautiful person, so I've always like those names.  I would bet the owner of this boat feels the same way.  I'm sharing this with Weekend Reflections.  Have a great weekend.

Nashua Street Scene

Nashua, NH

Clocktower Place II

Nashua, NH

Clocktower Place

Nashua, NH

This building was once the home to the Nashua Manufacturing Company, a textile manufacturing company that was founded in 1823. The company prospered throughout the 1800's and as it grew so did the city of Nashua, NH.  The company was acquired by Textron in 1945 and the mill here was closed in 1948.  Now a number of the buildings on this site have been converted into luxury apartments.  It's great to see these old buildings kept in good shape and re-purposed into other uses.  It's a shame more cities can't revive these mills like the city of Nashua has done here.  It's even great that the clock still works, and shows the correct time.