Thames River Fog II

New London, CT  2017

2:49:59 PM, Sunday, Sept 17

2:50:44, Sunday, Sept 17

Fog can roll in quickly, drastically changing visibility in less than minute.  The changing conditions made for some interesting photos. 

Thames River Fog

New London, CT  2017

On this particular Sunday afternoon, the weather conditions were such as to provide some very interesting light.  There were some very local patches of dense fog, along with areas illuminated with bright sunshine.  I'm sure this picture doesn't do this scene justice, but you can see that the fog was thick enough that one couldn't see the other side of the Thames River, yet the boats were bathed is rich sunlight.  I hadn't seen anything quite like it before.  

Tripping

New London, CT  2017

Old Ford Truck

New London, CT  2017

Obviously a work in progress....  I was more interested in the name on the door, "Pleasant Days, Short Hills, NJ".   I grew up not too far from Short Hills, NJ but have no recollection of such a place or business, but this truck is lot older than I am.  

General Lee

New London, CT  2017

I was never a big fan of the TV series "The Dukes of Hazzard", (1979-1985) which featured this automobile, "The General Lee".  I will admit to every now and then watching just to see the leggy Catherine Bach, as "Daisy Duke" wearing those denim shorts.  

Batmobile "The Tumbler"

New London, CT  2017

Batman himself was present, seen here standing next to the "The Tumbler", a version of the Batmobile introduced in the 2005 movie adaptation "Batman Begins",  directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale as Batman.

Batmobile 1966-1968

New London, CT  2017

The main attraction of Motorjam 2017 was a number of Batmobiles that appeared in the TV and movies adaptations of the Batman comic hero.  This particular version of the Batmobile appeared in the very camp TV production of Batman, starring Adam West as Batman and Bruce Ward as Robin in 1966-68.  It was designed by George Barris and was built using  a 1954 Ford Futura concept car.  I'm not sure if this is the original Batmobile, or one of the many licensed copies that were produced later. Those of my generation remember this TV series well and would tune in religiously each week at the "Same Bat-time, Same Bat-channel" to watch.  

Chevy Impala

New London, CT  2017

Car enthusiasts take a great deal of pride in restoring and maintaining these classic automobiles.  They always enjoy showing off the engines and in this case, the owner installed mirrors on the inner side of the hood to show off this particular engine.  Very cool..... 

1959 Ford Skyliner

New London, CT  2107

A lot of engineering went into making this hard top convertible.  I don't believe the model lasted all that long, but it was pretty novel.  One drawback however was the lack of trunk space.  

Studebaker

New London, CT  2017

One doesn't see too many Studebakers around, especially ones restored to original condition. 

Cadillac

New London, CT  2017

I think this model is from the early '70's?   Not having seen one for a while, I was surprised to see just how big these cars were from that era.  Very little plastic on this beauty.

Chevy Bel Aire

New London, CT  2017

This is one of the autos on display at an event called Motorjam 2017 held at Ocean Beach Park in New London.  Car enthusiasts brought their cars to display  and to be entered into various contests.  I'll be posting some pictures this week of some of my favorite cars.  I think this one is a Chevy Bel Aire, perhaps from the mid to late '50's.   

Shoreline East

New London, CT  2017

The Shoreline East is a commuter train that runs between New London and New Haven.  With all the weeds seen, you'd think this is an abandoned track, but it is just one end of the line.  

Thames Barbershop

New London, CT  2017

I'm not sure if this barbershop was just closed at this time, or closed for good.  

Fort Trumbull

New London, CT  2017

The first fort on this site was built in 1777 to protect the harbor of New London.  The current structures were built between 1839 and 1852.  The fort was in use right up until 1996 and opened up as a state park in 2000.  

USS Cole (DDG-67)-Another View

New London, CT  2017

Thames River Heritage Park

New London, CT  2017

USS Cole (DDG-67) and Coast Guard Cutter Thunder Bay

New London, CT  2017

These two ships were docked near downtown New London as part of the city's Maritime Heritage Festival.  The USS Cole is a guided missile destroyer, which survived a suicide bomber attack while refueling in Yemen in 2000 that killed 17 crewmen and injured 39.  The Thunder Bay is an ice breaking tug based in Rockland, ME.

Wine Barrels

North Stonington, CT  2017

Sunflowers

North Stonington, CT  2017

Fruit of the Vine

North Stonington, CT  2017

Side Entrance

Norwich, CT  2017

Barbershop and Shoetique

Norwich, CT  2017

I've never seen a shoetique before.  I was really interested in the heart shaped window, which you don't see too often.

Scenic Norwich

Norwich, CT  2017

There are some scenic spots in Norwich, but not right here.  Look closely and you might be able to make out an unintentional self portrait.  I know that's not very scenic! 

Artspace

Norwich, CT  2017

Like a number of other cities in New England, Norwich has a number of industrial mills, mostly old textile mills.  This particular one was converted to apartments and now offers 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments.  The apartments were designed with the artist in mind, and among the amenities offered is a large community room which is perfect for hosting art shows, events and other gatherings.  

Norwich City Hall

Norwich, CT  2017

I'm sure I've posted a picture of the Norwich City Hall in some previous blog post.  I don't believe I've ever seen a more ornate city hall

Submarine

New London, CT  2017

New London, or more precisely Groton is the home of the Naval Submarine Base New London, the worlds first, and finest submarine base.  It is the home of the Submarine Force, and often one can catch glimpses of the subs as they leave for or return from deployment.  Recently while having coffee in New London with a colleague of mine, I spotted this submarine way down river returning to port.  I had enough time to run to my car for my camera and walk out to the end of city pier to attempt these photographs. Subs are not the easiest subjects to photograph.  Even when on the surface, there is very little above the waterline. You might have to click on the pictures for a larger view to see it more clearly.  They certainly don't stick out much on the water.   A far more skilled photographer than I would have done a much better job getting a better exposure and more than likely would have had a much longer lens available.

I'm not sure which Navy submarine this is, or to which class of subs it belongs.  There were no markings of any kind on the sub.  This sub might have been built right here in Groton in the General Dynamics Electric Boat Div, pictured behind  the sub in the top picture. 

Antique Outboards

Some of the antique marine engines on display this year's exposition looked like they've hardly been used.

Others obviously have been well used.

It appeared that Evinrude engines made up the majority of engines on display.

 Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT  2017