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.