Stony Creek is such a great town to visit especially in the summer. Situated right on the water,…read moreand only five minutes from I95. This small town has everything within walking distance. You can seat on a park beach,and have a beautiful scenic view of some of the Thimble Islands, take a swim, and soak up the sun at the town beach, use the town boat launch to kayak around the Thimble Islands, or you can take a relaxing cruise around the Thimble Islands.I love it here and visit two or three times each year.

What a pretty place to stroll around and take in the beautiful coastal scenery…read more You'll see the busy waterfront with a spider-web of docks for the hundreds of boats of every size and description, everything from kayaks and paddleboards to the sightseeing charter ships. The scenery also includes twenty five small islands collectively known as the Thimble Islands. Technically a section of Branford, Stony Creek is pretty small, but it includes a public beach and a miniscule business district with a few stores and places to eat. We had a very enjoyable visit here.

The Florence Griswold Museum is more than just a beautiful museum. To show even more support this…read moreyear, I decided to buy a family membership. For years my family has been visiting the museum in the fall for the Wee Faerie Village, an extraordinary outdoor display of faerie villages that are created by local businesses and individuals. There isn't enough room for me to gush about this event. The beauty, creativity, and the scavenger hunt keep us coming back. The museum offers a glimpse into history, beautiful art, extraordinary gardens, breathtaking views of the river. and more.

We ventured to Old Lyme, Connecticut on Sunday for the final day of Mystical Murmurs: An Enchanted…read moreEnvironment by Adrien Broom. The exhibit features a fairy ring of gigantic mushrooms. The artist was born and raised in Old Lyme. The installation is meant to encourages us ponder the magical mysteries of the forest. We also really enjoyed the Amanita sculptures outside the main building housing the museum's permanent collection. We were able to photograph these just before one of the museum staff sold them off to a local mushroom enthusiast (since Sunday was the last day of the mushroom exhibit). While we came specifically for the mushroom installation, we also really enjoyed our visit to the other galleries. The museum showcases the work of the artists of the Old Lyme Artist Colony, a nexus of American Impressionism and has some beautiful impressionist landscape painting, including many by female artists of the 19th and early 20th century. The grounds here are also beautiful with gorgeous views of the Lieutenant River. There was also an exhibit of small fairy houses when we visited. Beautiful spot with nice staff and docents. Would definitely return here!

Completed in 1922, it was designed by Thomas Ellis Brown, a former chief engineer at Otis Elevator…read moreCompany, and built by the J. E. FitzGerald Construction Company of New London. What sets it apart is its rare implementation of the Brown Balance Beam Bascule, a patented design that was revolutionary for its time. Brown's design makes use of a multi-link counterweight system, in contrast to conventional bascule bridges, which pivot on permanent axles. This enables the bridge's enormous concrete counterweights to rotate only 69 degrees, but its 85-foot movable span spins a full 90 degrees. The key to a smoother, quieter functioning is a double-pivot hanger linkage that moves the effective lever arm while in motion. The bridge uses a self-locking worm gear system and its own imbalanced mass to maintain position instead of toe locks. The bridge's architecture is simple yet attractive. The bridge is framed like bookends by squat concrete towers that hold its exposed mechanical components, which include driving motors, bull wheels, and counterweights. Even though these towers aren't decorative, they have an air of industrial elegance, particularly when the bridge raises to allow sailboats to pass across. There was way too much traffic and zero parking nearby so we were not able to stick around to see the bridge open today. [Review 1069 of 2025 - 122 in Connecticut - 24623 overall]

This is a moveable bridge that goes over the Mystic River. It opens for the boats to float on by; I…read morewas lucky enough to see it in action while waiting in line for ice cream. It opened in 1922 and serves pedestrians as well as vehicles. This bridge was built to replace the 1866 bridge that used to be there. I am a fan of bridges and historic landmarks, so of course I had to review it! I enjoyed walking on it, driving on it, and seeing it open/close. It's definitely an iconic landmark in Mystic, you can't miss it!

We visit the base to use the commissary and NEX. There is a submarine museum near here too, which…read moreis excellent, and in an area that does not require a military ID to access. First off, you do need a Military ID to get on base (every adult in the car) and again when trying to purchase items on base. To bring a guest on base stop at the visitor office next to the main gate. The base itself seems to have under gone some updates to road signs and basic curb appeal which is very nice for those who live and work here. The commissary and NEX are good sizes, include the expected items, (uniforms, national brands, etc.) and share a parking lot. Grab your shopping cart before entering. Baggers at the Commissary work for tips so bring a few dollars cash; they pack, carry your bags out and put them in your vehicle. NEX is two stories with a food court and restrooms near the entrance. Escalator, elevator and stairs available. Sporting goods, clothes, jewelry, cleaning supplies, H&B, liquor. All the stuff.

The police at the gate were extremely helpful. I had brought a service man back to the base and the…read moredirections I had brought me to the wrong gate. The officer that was checking ID's advised me where to and gave me directions as well as they were super efficient, and extremely kind. I always appreciate police, but in this instance, I double appreciate these gentlemen for not just their service as officers, but their service to our country as well. Thank you so very much!

Things I learned from the Deep River Historical Marker:…read more They had a bustling manufacturing and shipping industry here way back in the 1600's. Things like wood barrels, lumber, pianos, shipbuilding, and the ivory trade represented Deep River's early industries. This is a 2-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. It's located right in front of the Deep River Historical Society. The marker was dedicated in 1980 and is in pretty good condition. I did notice some fading on the blue background on the front side of the marker. 170th marker visited. All CT Towns accounted for.

This is a really neat and very historic old burying ground in the middle of the town. There really…read moreisn't a sign identifying it, but you cannot miss it. I have never in my life seen grave stones for the War of 1812 or the French Indian War.

Beautiful colonial era home with outbuildings. The smiths discovered granite on the property and…read morestarted a granite business. The house was restored to its colonial origins in the 1920's and is furnished in a manner consistent with the wealthy colonials. Our volunteer docent was descended from the Smiths and was extremely knowledgeable and proud of what they had achieved there. They have also established a granite museum that provides a brief history and a depiction of the granite harvesting and refinement process. We called for reservations and flexibility is key.

Took a road trip out here this holiday break to check out the sea food market and the lobster bouy…read moretree what a treat to run into this lighthouse!! The architecture is beautiful!!! The views are breathtaking along the shore line of the east lawn!!! Of course in December it was chilly and we missed being able to tour the lighthouse and the captain house by a week , but we will be back in the fall when we can get into the home . We were able to tour the grounds! I look forward to getting back up there to see this beautiful piece of historic architecture!!!