Holidays at the Seaport

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT  2015

During the holidays at the Seaport, if there's a mast....they put a Christmas Tree atop it.   They were still all atop these masts on Jan 1.  I've been told they are all down now.  

Mystic Reflections

Mystic, CT  2014

This image is looking towards downtown Mystic.  The historic Mystic Bridge, pictured many times in this blog is just out of frame to the right.  I'll be posting this to Weekend Reflections.  I hope you have a great weekend.  I think we're expecting more snow.  Thanks for looking. 

Mystic, ca 1870

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT  2015

One of the exhibits at Mystic Seaport is this 1/128th scale model of the Mystic River and what the area looked like back about 1870.  The total model is over 50 feet long and depicts the area of Mystic, shown here, as well as the area which today is part of Mystic Seaport.  There are over 250 dwellings, barns, shops and 5 shipyards depicted here.  The model was started in 1958, and work continues upon it today by some of the original volunteers who started it.  

Blizzard of '15 II

 Niantic, CT  3:36 PM 1/27/2015

All day long the plows were coming through and managed to get our streets and driveways cleared.  They even shoveled the walks up to our front door.  I'm glad to see that my association fees are being put to good use!  Nevertheless I had to do just a small bit of snow shoveling to dig out my car.  It was still snowing when these pictures were taken, but it had tapered off.

 Niantic, CT  3:37 PM 1/27/2015

As I write this, I'm pretty sure the snow has come to an end, but it is still pretty windy outside, so there will be some drifting.  Rumor has it that the sun will be out tomorrow.  I might even be able to go to work.

 Niantic, CT  3:37 PM 1/27/2015

Blizzard of '15

Niantic, CT  7:51AM  1/27/2015

This is what I awoke to this morning.  We have been anticipating this blizzard since the weekend and yesterday the State of Connecticut declared a state of emergency and put in place a travel ban starting at 9:00 PM.  The snow started falling mid afternoon and it hasn't stopped as I write this.  I read this morning that New York City was spared the full effect of the storm having only received 6" of snow in Central Park as of 6:00 AM this morning.  Predictions called for upwards of 2-3 feet in NYC.  I think we got quite a bit more than 6" here.  

Niantic, CT  8:16 AM  1/27/2015

Fortunately I had gotten out over the weekend to fill my bird feeders.  The feeders were very popular this morning, but they'll need to be refilled very soon.   

Niantic, CT  7:54 AM  1/27/2015

The blizzard's near hurricane force winds makes it difficult to get a good measure of amount of snow that has fallen.  We're under a Blizzard Warning until midnight tonight and the forecast calls for more snow all day long.  Fortunately,  we have not lost power... yet, and we have more than enough food to last for awhile.  I'm going to enjoy my day off today, and it looks like I'll have tomorrow off as well.  Life in New England! 

Beneath the Gold Star Bridge

New London-Groton, CT  2015

The Gold Star Bridge carries both US Route 1 and I-95 across the Thames River in New London, CT.    Beneath the bridge there is a public boat launch which gives boaters access to the Thames River.  It also gives photographers some interesting views of the bridge, not often seen.  

Joseph Conrad and Charles W Morgan

Mystic, CT  2015

Each year, Mystic Seaport closes to the public for 6 weeks starting in January.  Before it closed this year, I was able to get some nice shots on January 1.  Notice the Christmas trees atop the masts, a Seaport tradition.  When the Seaport reopens in February, I'll know spring is not far behind.  That's a nice thought to have as we're expecting a storm of "historical proportions" starting today and lasting into Tuesday.

Amtrak Bridge

Groton/NewLondon  2015

Bridges are a favorite subject of mine and this one in particular has appeared in this blog previously, but but not from this point of view.  In deciding how I wanted to process this picture, I opted for the black and white version shown here.  I was surprised to find out that I had made a similar choice about two years ago in this post.

Connecticut Savings Bank

New Haven, CT  2014

At one time this building housed the Connecticut Savings Bank.  One can barely make out the name above the columns.  I'm not sure what became of the bank but I'm glad the building remains.

Reflected Reflection

New Haven, CT  2014

This is my contribution to this week's Weekend Reflections.  We're expecting snow this weekend here in Connecticut.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Palladium Building

New Haven, CT  2014

There is no shortage of beautiful buildings in downtown New Haven, especially in the Ninth Square Historic District, an area encompassing 3 blocks located in the central business district of New Haven.  This area was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1984 and comprises 78 buildings built in the mid to late 1800's  and into the early 1900's.  A number of different styles of architecture can be found here.  The Palladium Building was built in 1855 and was originally known as the "Young Men's Institute".  The building has been ascribed to the famous New Haven architect, Henry Austin and can be described as an example of Anglo-Italianante/Renaissance Revival architecture.

Columns and Handrails

New Haven, CT  2014

Sculpture

New Haven, CT  2014

Bike Rack

New Haven, CT  2014

I've never seen a bike rack that looks more like a piece of modern sculpture.  I guess it might really be sculpture and not a bike rack though.

Chamberlain's

New Haven, CT  2014

Found this old store front not far from the New Haven Green on a recent photo walk.  I like that instead of a street address, the building shows it's global coordinates ( 41°18' 14" N  72° 55' 30"W).  Fortunately on the sidewalk in front of this building there is a plaque from which I learned that Abel C Chamberlain opened a furniture store here in 1832.  The family continued the business it what is known as the first furniture retail family business in the United States.   I'm not sure what became of the business, but at least I can always find this building with my GPS.

New Haven City Hall

New Haven 2014

It was hard to frame a picture of the entire New Haven City Hall with the lens I was using that day.  So I had to settle for some closer shots highlighting the details of his building.  

Robert N. Giaimo Federal Building

New Haven, CT  2014

This federal building overlooks a courtyard in New Haven, and does a great job at reflecting the other surrounding buildings.  I'm sharing this with Weekend Reflections.  Have a great weekend.

Nymph

New Haven, CT  2014

Mayflower II One More Time

Mystic, CT  2015

Allow me one more view of the Mayflower II out of the water.  It definitely is in need of some repairs.  Conservators at the Seaport are evaluating her condition now and documenting everything.  Some repairs will be made in the coming months before she is returned to Plymouth, MA for the summer tourist season.  Repairs will be completed over the course of several years and hopefully will be complete by 2020, in time for the 400th Anniversary of original Mayflower's voyage to America.

Mayflower II Again

Mystic, CT  2014

This photo give some sense of scale.  The Mayflower II  towers over the Shipyard

Mayflower II

Mystic, CT  2014

The Mayflower II has been lifted out of the water and is undergoing some much needed repairs at Mystic Seaport.   I'll be posting some more pictures of her later this week.  Stay tuned! 

Court Building

New Haven, CT  2014

The Kelo House

New London, CT

While not as old as some of the older historic buildings in New London, this pink house played a major role in the recent history of New London.  In 2005, in Kelo vs. The City of New London, the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of New London, who wanted to buy this house and many others in the area around Fort Trumbull for economic development.  The city was declaring eminent domain and felt they had the right to do this.  The Supreme Court decision caused outrage around the country and in more than 40 states, laws were reformed and court decisions were made to protect property owners against the abuse of eminent domain.  The house was moved from the Fort Trumbull area to its present location and stands today as testament to the bravery of Susette Kelo and others who have advocated for the rights of property owners and against the abuse of eminent domain.  The ironic thing about this whole story is that even with the favorable Supreme Court ruling, and the millions of dollars the city must have paid to argue this case, there has been no economic development in area known as the Fort Trumbull neighborhood to this date. 

Harbor Reflections

Norwich, CT  2014

All the boats are gone for the winter leaving lots of open water to catch reflections in this photo taken this past December at Chelsea Landing in Norwich, CT.  I'm linking this to Weekend Reflections, where you can see some great reflections from around the world.  Hope you have an enjoyable weekend and thanks for visiting.

Gulls in a Row

Norwich, CT  2014

Do you know how hard it was to get all these guys lined up for this group portrait?   

Norwich State Hospital

Preston, CT

I've posted pictures of the buildings that were once part of the Norwich State Hospital before.  Most of the site is now being developed by the town of Preston.  As a result a number of buildings have been demolished, or are in the process of being demolished.  I previously posted a picture of this building from another angle here.  I expect by summer time, all that will remain will be the memories.

Rock Art

Norwich, CT  2014

Grasses

Niantic, CT  2014

They're a little nicer to look at during the spring and summer months.  

Rusty Gear

Niantic, CT  2014

I know I have photographed this rusty gear on a number of occasions during my photo walks in Niantic.  I thought I might have posted it once before on my blog, but after having searched my posts here, I could not find it, so I posted it today.  I'm not sure if it is meant to be a sculpture, or art.  It could just be a left over piece of machinery left here to rust away.  

John M Shea Building

New London, CT  2014

Architects used to name their buildings with the name prominently displayed.  I can find little information on this unique building in New London.  It did house a music store at one time.  Don't you like the urns on the roof?

Thames River

Norwich, CT  2014

This reflection shows the Shetucket River as it meets up with the Yantic River in Norwich to form the Thames River.  The harbor here, Chelsea Landing, was first laid out in 1684 and due to having access to Long Island Sound, became an important trading center with the West Indies and places abroad.  The arrival of the railroad in 1840 began the slow decline of the harbor as a significant center of trade.  Today the harbor caters to pleasure craft.  I'm sharing this with Weekend Reflections.  Have a great first weekend of the New Year.

Happy New Year!

United Church on the Green

New Haven, CT  2014

To all my readers, I hope 2015 brings you health and happiness. Thank you all for visiting.