Sarah Cody's Daytripper Blog

• Selden Island

  This was a really, really cool DayTrip....different...and so interesting. It was a gorgeous Sunday morning. We met our tour guide, Andy Griswold, in Chester and jumped on a small boat bound for Selden Island, in the middle of the Connecticut River. Andy is the director of the Connecticut Audubon's EcoTravel Division....which hosts more than 100 daytrips annually, as well as excursions outside the country. Our journey to Selden is sort of a preview of one of EcoTravel's public trips....they bring a group out to the island 2 or 3 times each year. There is still room to buy a ticket for the October 31st trip. At any rate, our boat ride was incredibly delightful. Sunny, bright and brisk. The River sparkled in the early morning light and it seemed so empty. I had never really experienced it like that. Peaceful....calming. We pulled up on the island and started our hike to the summit. We opted to take the fastest route, which is also the steepest! So, we were huffing and puffing! On the way, we learned the history of this 650 acre island...the largest island in the river and in all of Connecticut. Now, the island seems so primitive....pristine and totally natural. But, in the early 1900's, it was home to a sizable quarrying operation. 300 people lived and worked there....and the forest was decimated. Hard to believe, the way you see it today....but, refreshing to know that we are actually restoring a forest in these modern days. You cans still see piles of rubble and several steel barrels used for the quarries. When we arrived at the top, the view was SPECTACULAR! The colors of the foliage were everywhere....the water was blue, blue...as we looked down towards Chester and Deep River. The EcoTravel trips provide visitors with information from a botanist, a bird enthusiast and a historian....so, you can appreciate nature in many different ways. Andy is somewhat of a bird expert...he has traveled the world learning about them. So, our conversations were fascinating. If you can't make it on one of the EcoTravel trips to Selden, you can book a private tour....there are also 4 campsites on the island...you can reserve a space through the ranger at Gillette Castle. Selden Island is a very cool place to visit. I felt like an explorer! And the sole of my hiking boot fell off....very funny...but, that's another story! Cheers!

• Litchfield Leaf Peeping

  There is truly nothing like fall in Connecticut...and, boy, did we experience the beauty of the season during our day in the Litchfield Hills. First, we visited Wood Acres Farm in Terryville....a beautiful place that primarily hosts country weddings on its gorgeous grounds. But, visitors can call up Ken Wood and order a private horse and buggy ride...what a treat! How often do you get to experience that these days? Ken suited up his 1700 pound horse, Sunday, and took us for a lovely ride through some back roads....it really felt like we were stepping back in time....a unique chance to appreciate mother nature's colors at a slow pace. After a really enjoyable carriage ride, Ken asked if I wanted to take the reigns and steer Sunday into the farm. Of course! It was actually harder than I expected...she was very sensitive to each and every movement of the reigns....but, with a few "Woahs" and one close call with our Jeep, I managed to "park" her near the stable...very fun. Something you just don't get to do everyday! When our fun at the farm was over, we met Janet Serra, tourism guru for the Litchfield Hills. We interviewed her at Topsmead State Park....a really lovely spot that features an English cottage once owned by an heiress named Edith Chase. Visitors can take tours of the house on weekends, and explore the park's grounds and hiking trails. Janet told us that we are really lucky to live here....Connecticut has a national reputation for foliage season.....and there are many hidden gems to find during a DayTrip to Litchfield. We continued on to one more spot....we were having fun in this great neck of the woods...and I wanted to see Lake Waramaug....since I had just read a travel article about it. WOW. Janet took us to an incredible spot overlooking the lake....the water was shining and sparkling....ducks were swimming....the leaves looked so pretty and the air was crisp and cool. Honestly, I felt like I was on vacation....it couldn't have been a more scenic spot. All in all, a great adventure! Don't forget to appreciate the season, right here in our lovely state. And, if you're looking for a casual lunch, check out the Bantam Pizza place....YUM. Have fun!

• Walden Pond

  I grew up in the Concord, MA area....so, this DayTrip was a little crazy for me! A great walk down memory lane. Walden Pond is as beautiful as I remember....it's really clear....and not too cold...and it just has this totally peaceful aura. The beach was busy and fun with kids running around....but, many people had walked around the pond and found their own little quiet place...to sunbathe, swim or read. Henry David Thoreau lived at Walden for 2 years, 2 months and 2 days in the mid-1800's...seeking a life of simplicity. Visitors can hike about 1/2 mile and see the site of his sparse cabin...and a really cool tribute to the famous philosopher...people have left statues (cairns) made from rocks from all around the globe. Moving. You can swim, hike, fish, operate non-motorized boats in this gorgeous kettle pond...which is really unique. Concord is really gorgeous and historic...we ended our visit with stops at The North Bridge, where a Revolutionary War battle was fought....The Old Manse where Nathaniel Hawthorne lived...and The Orchard House Museum, home of the Alcotts....where Louisa May Alcott wrote "Little Women"...I used to give tours there when I was in High School...it was fun to return! We ate lunch at my old favorite haunt...."New London Style Pizza"....another Concord gem you don't want to miss! My son is currently whipping super-balls at my head....must run. Have fun!

• Disc Golf!

  OK....I'm totally willing to put myself out there for the good of a story. Jet Skiing? No problem...I managed not to look like a total idiot....but, Disc Golfing? I was HOPELESS! Apparently, my small Frisbee skills as a child have completely waned because I was throwing here, there and everywhere...and not exactly at my target (except Photog Mike's shin). BUT...the good news is that we had a blast! The 18 hole course at Wickham Park in Manchester is very cool. Some holes are virtually hidden in the woods...and one of them is incredible. The experienced disc golfers throw up a hill, through a small passage of thick trees...woah. My "band of merry golfers" - as I called them -- included Dave Mourad -- a teacher by day, disc golfer extraordinaire on the weekends. Thanks, Dave! You were very supportive...even when I was a total mess! Wickham Park is gorgeous. If Disc Golfing isn't your thing, explore what this Manchester property has to offer. There is an aviary, a nature center, many gorgeous gardens and an incredible view of the Hartford skyline....where Fox 61 web master Doug Stewart used to sled when he was a youth! Our Tour Guide Jeff Maron was great...and told us that the Park's new Sensory Garden will be completed soon...it's very cool. My oldest son was starting Kindergarten the day after we shot this story (yes, Mike, everyone knows, why not blog about it?) and I was worried and distracted...but, the Disc Golfers totally captured my attention and we had a lot of fun! Give thid growing sport a try....maybe YOU will show some SKILLS!

• Harkness Memorial State Park

  Mike and I visited Harkness on one of those ridiculously hot August days....apparently, there is usually a gorgeous view of Fisher's Island from the shore there....but, it was so hazy and humid that we couldn't see a thing. It didn't really matter, though...the place is BEAUTIFUL. The grounds are pristine....I'm a beach lover...and the beach is amazing. The sand is really white and soft...and there's a really neat creek running off of the beach and into the reeds and marshlands. I could imagine my boys tromping through that creek, collecting shells and rocks. Real swimming is not allowed....which is sort of a bummer...but, the kids can wade and people can fish. There are large picnic areas and places to view the rare birds, like terns and piping plovers. But, I have to say, I probably enjoyed the tour of the mansion the most. Our tour guide was really smart and interesting. He told us all about Edward Harkness and his wife, Mary Stillman....who were extremely wealthy but really used their money for good. She was a humanitarian -- setting up Camp Harkness for sick children....and he donated millions to archaeological digs and prestigious educational institutions. The manison is used for weddings now...so, the first floor is largely empty...but, the second floor sports in-tact bedrooms, filled with original furniture. I found the "servants quarters" to be really interesting...pretty, little rooms with nice views....it seems so weird to even talk about "servants quarters"...but, apparently the Harkness clan was close with their employees...and they were really nice people. Standing outside the mansion - with this incredible view of the beach -- I could really imagine living here in the '20's....we thoroughly enjoyed our visit...kids would love running around the extensive grounds....and grown-ups will be fascinated by the history. Enjoy! This is a great destination for fall excursions!

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