MERRY CHRISTMAS 2009

Merry Christmas to everyone! Anytown U.S.A.

Lights, Suburb Style

Blue Light Special

Snow Day

South Glastonbury, Connecticut

The holiday season has officially begun and like most Thanksgivings we started the day off with a drive and some coffee. While riding along a local road I was struck by a different kind of beauty fall has to offer.

Lyndon, Vermont

Victory, Vermont

This wonderfully unspoiled area is great for a little solitude, peace and quiet.

Happy Halloween 2009

Lyndon, Vermont

Northumberland County, New Hampshire

Remember when...?

Remember when going on vacation meant stocking up on film and then dropping them off at the lab afterwards and waiting patiently to see your pictures? There was a time when I worked in a photo lab and I loved seeing people's vacation pictures. Shots of people laughing around the campfire, or mugging for the camera on a scenic mountaintop, or whooping it up on cruise ships, etc. There was also the thrill of buying new camera merchandise like filters or that great backpack carrying case. And best of all was working hands-on in the darkroom creating beautiful black and white prints that can tell a story within one frame. Now everything is digital. Editing software instantly turns color images to black and white, or cartoon pictures, or fisheye shots, or anything you can imagine. Honestly, I miss the film days when good images were the result of experience, imagination and some photography knowledge.

Littleton, New Hampshire

If you're a New Englander then you've heard the saying, "if you don't like the weather just wait a minute". The northern towns around the White Mountains in New Hampshire probably understand the concept behind that old blurb. It was sunny that day, but when we left a nearby general store to return to our car, this is what we saw in the sky. A few miles up the road it was spitting some sleet and rain on our windshield, and then it was sunny once again. On past trips we've driven through sun, wind, rain and snow on the same ride. We've had storms follow us along the road and we've seen snow on the mountains as we gawk at the scenery while wearing t-shirts and soaking up the sun. When I get back from a northern New Hampshire/Vermont trip people always ask about the weather, and that always means a long answer.

World's Longest Candy Counter

I didn't make that up either. Chutter's, on Main Street in Lancaster, New Hampshire, is in the Guiness Book for having the longest candy counter in the world. As I write this, I'm chewing on some cherry flavored bubble gum. Next to me is a white bag filled with maple candies, root beer candies, banana gum cigars, mint julep chews and Cow Tales, just to name a few. I also bought barbecue sauce (Kick Yo' Ass Hot), maple hot chocolate, a moose bookmark, moose shaped cookie cutters and cookies n cream fudge.

Goodbye Summer of '09

The time has come to say farewell to summer. Honestly, I'm not a big fan. I like summer, don't get me wrong, but I hate heat and despise humidity and bugs. I love the wildflowers along the roads and I love the smell of cut grass. I also love lazy evenings just sitting out and watching the junebugs light up the yard. And vacations! I do love vacations! Enjoy the memories everyone.

Note: That dark blue strip on the horizon is Long Island.

Willington, Connecticut

I found this little wildlife preserve while driving along Moose Meadow Road. It was a very peaceful spot and I enjoyed just sitting by the water and listening to the crickets. We had driven down a dirt road that took us through the woods and soon we arrived at a fork. Choosing the left fork we eventually landed in someone's front yard. Talk about secluded living! I later found that the right fork was suitable for walking and reaching hiking trails into the woods. Maps are available in the parking area at the park entrance.

Simsbury, Connecticut

Abington, Connecticut

Abington is in "the quiet corner" of Connecticut and the whole area is full of wonderful rural scenery. Travel route 44 and jump on route 97 or route 244, either way you'll find peaceful roads and plenty of summer beauty. This general store is a nice stop, with wide plank floors, old style wooden shelves and local milk in reusable glass bottles. If you're wondering, they have brewed coffee and snacks too.

Marlboro, VT

Green River, Vermont

When you explore Vermont you have to like dirt roads. When it comes to pavement it's a "now you see it, now you don't" kind of proposition. On this drive we ran out of pavement in about two miles. Approximately an hour later we made it back onto a main road, but we were rewarded with sights of beautifully serene farmlands, dense shady forests and some great views of the Green Mountains.

Damage in Old Wethersfield, CT

Damage in Old Wethersfield, CT

Railroad Bridge, Old Lyme CT.

Old Lyme, Connecticut

Old Saybrook, Connecticut

Happy Memorial Day 2009

Thank you veterans, past and present!

Newbury, Vermont

The peaks in the bottom picture are actually the White Mountains in New Hampshire. I was standing on Route 5, and as a little aside for my fellow Connecticut residents, this is the very same Route 5 that runs through our state.

Shelburne, New Hampshire

This is a unique and beautiful area because it's miles and miles of birch trees. Route 2 runs right through this scenic section of northern New Hampshire and these millions of birch trees are quite a sight in the Fall. If you're ever riding along this road stop at the little information cottage at the rest area and sign the guest book. A very nice lady working behind the counter told me that the state is trying to save money by closing these little stops and that would be a shame. What traveler doesn't like to pull off in some scenic place where you can go in and use a rest room, load up on maps and brochures and get some good info from a friendly local?