Stonington

Saturday #7

    

    Last Saturday, we drove to Stonington. We started out walking at the Dodge Paddock/Beal Preserve. It's a very short trail along the ocean and through a little wetland where they've reclaimed a very old industrial area. There are a few quiet benches facing the ocean. and a trail that winds back away through the wild roses and native plants. There were cormorants on the ocean and a yellowthroat stretching its neck as high up as it could to belt out its song. 

    We were there on a cool Saturday that threatened rain, so I don't know what it would be like on an 80-degree Saturday in July. But this morning, we were one of two people parked at the six-car lot for the preserve, which is in walking distance of everything else mentioned here. There is also maybe 15 parking spots at Stonington Point, but I'm guessing those fill up first and driving all the way down there -- through a mix of one-way streets and very narrow two-way streets -- was a little dodgy. 

    Next, we went to the Stonington Lighthouse Museum. We actually paid an entrance fee and went to the top of the lighthouse. First time since we've been here. The museum was perfectly small.  Just six rooms packed with War of 1812, steamboat and whaling artifacts -- scrimshaw, old flags, uniforms, sailing tools -- and an unaccompanied visit to the lighthouse tower. 

    We walked up to Noah's Cafe. There's a nice little walk along the Stonington Seawall that goes by a pier and a bay. Beautiful. 

    Noah's Cafe was busy but not too busy. I had a great chicken quesadilla and Bettie got a "boro bowl," their version of a Buddha bowl. They some cool photos displayed for sale. Mostly local stuff, like drone shots of Stonington Point and a tree full of cardinals and blue jays, but also classic travel stuff, like an artsy Eiffel Tower and one of those Greek islands with the little homes packed onto the steep hill that leads down to the ocean. 

    Really pretty drive too, especially Al Harvey and Flanders roads on the way into Stonington. 

    Buttonwood Farms Ice Cream is another great ice cream shop. They make their own with ingredients from their farm. 

    Then we checked out Hopeville Pond really quick. It had a crowded campground and a boat launch where you could kayak in the "pond," a dammed up section of the Patchaug River. After looking closer at the map when we got home, I wished I'd checked out the Patchaug State Forest. Looks like there are some dirt roads and boat launches to explore there. 

    Anyway, another great day in Connecticut.