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Tag: Halfway River Park Newtown CT

  • Ponds, Streams and Rivers of Connecticut

    Ponds, Streams and Rivers of Connecticut

    I enjoy being around ponds, streams and rivers in Connecticut. I find them very calming. Below are some photos I’ve taken through the years.

    I hope you enjoy them.

    Bartlett Arboretum Stream Stamford CT

    I took this photo a couple of weeks ago. Since this is a blog about landscaping I’ll point out that the yellow flowers closest to the camera are spicebush (Lindera benzoin). The Bartlett Arboretum is rarely crowded and a great place to collect your thoughts or learn about plants.

    Bartlett Arboretum Stream Stamford CT

    Halfway River Newtown CT

    If you need a quiet place to think there is no better. Wear shoes with good tread, it’s a downhill walk to the river with some mud at the bottom. Halfway River Open Space Preserve has some traffic noise but the views are worth it.

    Halfway River Newtown CT

    Covered Bridge Southford Falls Southbury CT

    Southford Falls is a fun park with a moderate climb to a fire tower. If you’re climbing to the fire tower the ‘easier’ climb is found by walking past the pavilion. Going over the covered bridge will get you to the fire tower but the middle of the hike is almost straight up. Here is the Southford Falls Trail Map.

    Covered Bridge Southford Falls Southbury CT

    Housatonic River Upper Paugussett State Forest Newtown CT

    Every time I hike the Upper Paugussett State Forest I’m amazed at how far from civilization I feel while being so close to civilization. This park has an ‘easier’ trail through the middle with plenty of more, or less, challenging trails around the perimeter. The river you’re looking at is the Housatonic River.

    Housatonic River Upper Paugussett State Forest Newtown CT

    Warner Pond Newtown CT

    I tried to find the state forest this pond is in but had no luck. I did find Elia Kazan’s obituary which explains the piece of property. This view of the pond is gorgeous.

    Warner Pond Newtown CT 1920x1080

    Lilypads Oxford CT

    While driving down a small road in Oxford, CT I saw this view. I brought my camera the next day. Such a beautiful place.

    Lilypads Oxford CT 1920x1080

    I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the ponds, streams and rivers of Connecticut.

  • My New Favorite Park

    My New Favorite Park

    For the last week and a half I’ve visited a small park in town.  The park starts level by the road but quickly drops off to a small rolling river below.

    I’ve gotten in the habit of getting a bacon, egg and cheese and stopping at the park to eat my breakfast.  It’s on the way to where I’m working.

    My breakfast nook. 

    The path entering the park.

    The real treat comes at the bottom of the hill when you get to the river.  It’s a great place to collect your thoughts.

    If you look through the crystal clear water you can see the ledge beneath.  There’s no mud, just coarse sand below.

    Looking up the river you can see the hemlocks that flank it.  What a peaceful place.

    I couldn’t stop taking pictures.

    The old foundation of some sort of building.  It’s been a long time since that building served any purpose.  

    It’s neat how this maple tree grows even though the dirt washed away around its roots.  I wouldn’t be surprised if something lives under that tree.

    This yellow birch started life growing between two boulders and continues to thrive.

    If you live in Newtown, CT you can find the park about a half mile up from where 34 meets 110.  You have to look hard or you’ll miss the little parking lot.  It takes about 10 minutes to get to the river.

    Here’s an article about the Halfway River Open Space.