Hammonasset Beach State Park, CT.

It was Christmas day and I was surprised by the number of people who were at the beach! We drove along the road inside the state park and headed towards East Beach and Meig's Point, which is the rocky side of the beach, but when we saw the number of cars in the lots we decided to head over to West Beach, which was slightly less crowded. As soon as we stepped onto the boardwalk we were hit with a strong, relentless wind that blew the sand right up into the air. People pulled up their hoods and stayed on the beach pushing against the wind, and some even walked along the edge of the water. Others chose to avoid the worst of the wind and could be seen meandering the trails that run through the grassy marshes and sandy dunes that sweep out on either side of the road. The sky was deep blue and the day was clear enough for us to see Long Island laying across the southern horizon. I've never gone to the beach on Christmas day, but I found it an uplifting experience, and perhaps it will become a new tradition!

Hammonasset Beach State Park, CT.

Merry Christmas!

Old Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts

While driving along we saw signs for Old Sturbridge Village and decided to take a look. There were no events that day and the temps were frigid so the Village was fairly quiet except for a coffee shop and gift shop that were open and decorated nicely for Christmas. A few people had ventured into the cold to browse the unique merchandise in the shop or to sip coffee near the beautifully lit trees that glowed in the coffee shop.

Old Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts

I loved the look of this small forest because of the tall straight trees and flat carpet of pine needles on the forest floor. I also loved the way the sun was shining between the trunks of the trees.

Winchester, New Hampshire

This park wasn't actually my planned destination, but it's not uncommon for us to find ourselves in a different place if I get us lost while trying to find the actual spot we were going to visit. I wasn't disappointed though because this turned out to be a beautiful place to walk and explore. We had quite a range of weather starting with gray skies and rain sprinkles, and then it went back and forth between blue skies and sunshine, and dark skies with light snow flurries. The trail we were on was just right for strolling dog walkers. It was wide, flat and easy to walk along. On the north side of the trail the forest floor gently sloped upwards, and on the south side it sloped down into a shallow valley. We could see the rolling ridge line of hills that stretched out beyond the woods, and we also saw a small brook winding back and forth below the trail. I'm sure that once snow is covering the ground this park will be quite a wonderful sight. And with 9 trails to choose from you'd never get bored.

Winchester, New Hampshire

Here's a sight you don't usually encounter along a hiking trail! The box is marked "Friends of Pisgah State Park" but we couldn't determine whether it was for receiving mail or a place to get maps of the trails.

Winchester, New Hampshire

Ashuelot, New Hampshire

If you really like covered bridges then New Hampshire is the place to find them. They're all numbered and in the area we were exploring I saw signs for 6 different covered bridges. A few years ago we were exploring an area of the state well north of the White Mountains and came upon a covered bridge along a desolate back road that ran through some open farm country, so it seems that New Hampshire is definitely the state to see covered bridges!

Ashuelot, New Hampshire

Guilford, Vermont

The Vermont Welcome Center, approximately 5 miles over the border from Massachusetts, is almost a destination in itself. We stop there every time we visit Vermont, and I always come away with a bagful of maps, brochures,Vermont magazines and a cup of Green Mountain coffee. For someone like me, who stays pretty much with outdoor attractions, this is one opportunity to see local Vermont art on display. Large painted wall murals depicting rural scenes is the backdrop for the displays of Vermont crafts, furniture, pottery and clothing. There is an outside display of small vintage farm equipment, and of course, a place to walk Fido. On this most recent trip there was quite a northern chill in the air and even a few flurries swirling down from the sky. A hot cup of coffee and another bag of free maps is just what I needed.

Guilford, Vermont

Quick Stop # 1

East Hampton, Connecticut

Happy Thanksgiving! The Old Comstock Bridge, right off route 16 in East Hampton, Connecticut, is one of New England's old covered bridges. Built in 1791, it spans the narrow, but beautiful, Salmon River, which is actually a great place for trout fishing (go figure). There's a fairly easy walking trail that runs along this section of the river, or you can go just up the road to a large nearby picnic area that also sits right along the banks of the river. It was a bit frosty this Thanksgiving morning, but there was still one lone fisherman out trying his luck, along with a few walkers, and a cyclist who was riding his way through the Salmon River State Forest. This state forest is a great place to enjoy some wilderness without getting too far away from civilization.

East Hampton, Connecticut

Tolland, Connecticut

Tolland, Connecticut

Tolland, Connecticut

The Benton Homestead from the backyard looking out onto Metcalf Road. At the time I took this shot an entire busload of school children on a field trip were exploring the inside of the old house. The grounds were quiet, however, and the woods surrounding the property had gone completely gray since all the leaves had recently been swept from the trees, due to rain storms, and were now covering the lawn. The property is reputed to be haunted by a young, heartbroken woman who died from smallpox, and while I've heard a few locals claim to have seen some "strange stuff", I haven't had any paranormal experiences while visiting the homestead.

Lighthouse Park, New Haven, CT.

Although any location in New Haven isn't really "off-off the beaten path" this park is still a very nice stop along the road. Like all New England beaches in the fall this one has been somewhat abandoned until the next hot summer season, and it will now be visited by a few cold loving dog walkers and solitude seekers. There was a bit of a November chill in the air, and the usual wind coming off the water, but otherwise very pleasant and sunny. I was excited to be able to walk right up to the lighthouse rather than just see it from a distance. The water was fairly calm and I watched the surf gently sweep in and out on the small beach below the base of the lighthouse. I stood for awhile and just listened to the whisper of the waves. Christmas lights are strung from the top of the lighthouse down to the ground so that seems like a good excuse for a return trip some night very soon.

Lighthouse Park, New Haven, CT.

The keeper's house is a small, charming little brick home surrounded by a thick hedge. The yard within was covered with autumn leaves. There was a gate in the hedge and it was standing open like an invitation to enter the yard, but it appeared as if someone actually lives in the house so I decided to give them their privacy. The view from the house is a beautiful, sweeping look at Long Island Sound, and I imagined the stunning sunsets the occupant of this house has enjoyed throughout the year.

Lighthouse Park, New Haven, CT.

Windsor Locks, CT.

Rocky Hill, CT.

Storrs, CT.

This area on the campus at the University of Connecticut in Storrs really leaves you feeling like you're actually in the heartland of America. Rolling pastures, cows, pigs, chickens, horses and plenty of open sky to enjoy. These cows were just as interested in us as we were in them, and they were close enough to get themselves some nose rubs.

St. Johnsbury, VT.

St. Johnsbury, VT.

One of the things I love most when I'm vacationing in Vermont is getting up early in the morning, getting a coffee, and just watching the mist slowly dissipate off the hills and mountains. The gray fall mornings eventually turn sunny and clear.

Groton State Forest, Vermont

This state park, located in a larger state forest, was a brief stop on our road trip for that day. We originally stopped for a quick look and to let the dog out of the car for a few minutes. While there were many people in other parts of the forest, we were very much alone in this area, until we attracted the attention of a trail guide who works in the park during the open season. He was quite passionate, and knowledgeable about the whole forest, and thanks to him, and a map he gave us, we were able to explore much more of the landscape than we had originally planned.

Groton State Forest, Vermont

Groton State Forest, in northern Vermont, is home to several state parks, and is a great place for hiking and walking along wooded trails. Just driving along Route 232 was beautiful with all the yellow fall leaves, brilliant in the late morning sun. I really enjoyed riding along with the car window open so I could take in all that color and the earthy forest air. The combination of so much yellow foliage and the deep blue sky was a striking sight. We both rode, and walked, on this trip, and we passed horseback riders, dog walkers, a few serious hikers, and many avid photographers along the way.

Destination: Duck Pond Rd., Lower Waterford, VT.

Duck Pond Road, in Lower Waterford, is like many Vermont roads, it starts out paved but eventually the pavement runs out and becomes something like packed dirt. Where this road ends is a mystery to me, but on every trip north we make time to visit this pond and enjoy some authentic back road solitude. I always walk along the road from one end of the pond to the other so I can enjoy the view, and to remind myself that my feet are firmly planted on a woodsy back road that's more than 200 miles north of my own neighborhood. The air was cool enough for us to feel that fall is definitely in the air, and best of all, was the deep pine smell that I've come to associate with the Northeast Kingdom.

Lower Waterford, Vermont

There wasn't much color on this back road because it's mostly pine trees, however, it's still a beautiful spot. The trees were reflected almost perfectly in the still water. The sun was a deep, late afternoon gold, and the only sound we could hear was the slow trilling of the crickets.

Lower Waterford, Vermont

Because of the mountains and hills around this region the sun can be setting in one area while it's still fairly bright in another, and at this time of the year, as soon as the sun disappears there's a noticeable dip in temperature. Although the sun was still shining when we pulled off the road, it quickly set and left us standing in a peaceful twilight.

Back Road Destination: Bolton, Connecticut

Bolton, Connecticut

A great local back road ride is along Birch Mountain Road, off Route 94, in East Glastonbury. This narrow road winds through beautiful dense woodland, and as we drove along during the mid-morning hours we were able to see the changing leaves at their best. Orange and russet leaves were scattered across the pavement and many more drifted slowly down from all the trees closely lining the roadway. At some point we passed the Bolton town line, and the road was now called Villa Louisa Road, a stark contrast in names.

Shortly past the Bolton town line is a small pond set at the edge of a wild meadow. In the summer we enjoyed walking around the pond because it was so peaceful and quiet, the only sounds were buzzing insects and the gentle breeze rustling the thick grasses and weeds that surround the pond. Now, in the fall, we enjoyed the crisp morning air and the crunch of dry leaves beneath our shoes, along with bright colors that could be seen on some of the trees that sit at the edge of the meadow.

Destination: Route 17, South Glastonbury, Connecticut

One great back road stop is a place called the Old Cider Mill in South Glastonbury, Connecticut. We recently visited there to enjoy some autumn atmosphere, feed the goats and look over the pumpkins. I especially love the view of the orchards and farmland that can be seen rolling out beyond the barn and animal pens where the visitors park and walk the grounds. The Cider Mill is on Route 17 in South Glastonbury, a road that is lined with farms, orchards, and plenty of farm stands. It's apple time so we stopped by one of our favorite stands, Draghi Farms, which is closer to the Portland end of Route 17, and bought plenty for apple pie! It just isn't fall in New England if you don't get some apple pie!