Sighting In Mossberg Slug Gun

I've recently ran into some unexpected trouble sighting in my Mossberg 500 for slugs. The Mossberg 500 combo comes with a field (smooth bore) barrel, and a rifled barrel for slugs. The rifled barrel is equipped with scope mounts.

The riffled barrel is capable of shooting sabot slugs accurately up to 100 yards. Be warned that it could likely take several boxes of slugs to get a tight group at this distance. I came with 4 boxes (5 slugs per box), and was barely able to get the gun sighted in at 50 yards. I've still got some work to do because it's still shooting a few inches low. Right now it's ok, but not perfect. I ran out of slugs, so I'll have to finish up on another day. Keep in mind that a box of 5 slugs can be about $13, so this will end up being an expensive exercise for me.

If I were to do it all over again, I would find some way to try to do some initial bore sighting before actually firing. Unlike a bolt action rifle in which the bolt can be removed for relatively easy bore sighting, there is no way to look down the bore of the shot gun while attached to the stock. Therefore, the only way to bore sight the Mossberg 500 is to remove the barrel from the rest of the gun. This can make fixturing difficult for bore sighting, since a standard gun vice will not hold just the barrel. I suggest using some sand bags to hold the barrel, while the scope and bore are coordinated. If I had done this to start I likely would have saved some ammo.

Deer/Venison Butcher in Central Connecticut

After shooting a deer this year, the weather was too warm to let it hang outside in order to pack the meat myself. Therefore, I had to take the deer to a butcher. The butcher did a much better job than I could ever do anyway. One problem is that it's not always easy to find a butcher that does deer.

I found a butcher in the center of Southington that packs deer. The contact information is below:

Southington Beef & Pork
347 Center Street Southington, CT 06489
(860) 628-7001

The meat is all packaged and labeled. There are steaks, roasts, chops, and ground meat. I've yet to eat any of the meat, but everything looks good. The price was a reasonable $85. Price will vary depending on the size of the deer. Be prepared to wait a while, as it took me 2 weeks to get the meat. As long as your aware of it, the wait is usually not an issue. I was expecting it to be done a little faster, so I grew a bit impatient. However, next time I'll know to expect about 2 weeks.

Book Review -- Historic Photos of Connecticut a Possible Christmas Gift for The Connecticut Yankee on Your List

Note: The publisher sent a complementary copy of this book to me in exchange for a review on Connecticut Outdoors.

The Facts:

Title: Historic Photos of Connecticut

Author: Sam L. Rothman

Publisher: Turner Publishing

Cost: Cover price is $39.95. The book is available on Amazon.com for $28.76

Historic Photos of Connecticut by Sam L. Rothman is a collection of photos, all black and white, chronicling some of the most interesting moments in Connecticut history from 1878 through the 1960s. It's hard cover and glossy, with 206 pages. The book uses captioned photos in chronological order to guide the reader through the coming-of-age of modern Connecticut.

The book starts in 1878. This was the year the state capitol building was completed in Hartford. The book is then split into 4 sections, each titled to with the theme of the time. The first section goes from 1878 through 1916, considered the "gilded age" of Connecticut. The second section from 1917 to 1938 focuses on the impact of the Great Depression, WWI, and the transformation of Connecticut into a manufacturing center. The third section from 1939 to 1945 focuses on WWII. The final section is titled "Peace, Prosperity, and the Future". It runs from 1946 through the 1960s.
Throughout the book, some of the most famous points in Connecticut history are hit. There's a picture of the Charter Oak, Mark Twain's home, WWII soldiers, and the Great Flood of '55.

The book is an easy read, and something that can be thumbed through at leisure. Most of the captions are short, yet descriptive enough to give the background necessary to fully understand the photo. As I examined each photo, I was struck by a few things. First, I noticed how formerly people dressed in years past. Even in a candid shot of men loitering outside a store you see them dressed in full suit and vests. A far cry from the jeans and T-shirt you would likely see on the men today. I also noticed from the photos that Connecticut has always been a cultural melting pot. Several photos going back to the 19th century show people from many different backgrounds interacting together long before "diversity" was a common buzz word. One of my favorite photos in the book is a picture showing 5 young boys sitting on a curb looking at the latest edition of The Hartford Courant newspaper. The headline on the newspaper reads "Germany Surrenders -- Unconditional Terms Accepted". It's V-E day. Although one can't be sure, the boys appear to be of different backgrounds, including one African-American boy.

I come at this book from the perspective of a life-long Connecticut resident. I'm someone who's familiar with Connecticut history, so I was able to grasp the author's general themes for each section. I wonder if someone not from Connecticut would be able to get a full sense Connecticut's character based on this book. The book focuses a lot on life in the larger cities (Hartford, New Haven). Would a non-Connecticut reader understand the dichotomy of Connecticut ranging from the highly industrialized cities to the traditional New England farming communities that existed worlds apart within such a small state? Hailing from one of these small, rural Connecticut towns, I would have preferred a higher percentage of photos focusing on life in the rural communities of Connecticut. To me, the history of Connecticut is not complete without touching on the small towns (think town greens with Congregational churches, covered bridges, and dairy farms) that give Connecticut a true New England flavor, in addition to displaying the industry and wealth that characterized the cities and Gold Coast. However, in defense of Mr. Rothman, I suspect the number of photos he had available to chose focusing on urban life far outnumbered the rural photos.

Aside from this small criticism, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Historic Photos of Connecticut. I gained insight into past life in Connecticut, and boned up on my history while doing it. The photos in the book focus on real life and real people. Through the faces and fashions of the people in the pictures one gets a sense of life in Connecticut that can't be fully understood by reading text book-type accounts of history. I recommend the book as a Christmas gift for anyone with Connecticut roots, or a book that you might consider adding to your own collection.

Late Season Success Puts Venison in The Freezer

On the last day of the rifle/shotgun season I was able to bag a deer on state land. It was not a monster buck, but when you have an empty freezer and the season is coming to an end, one cannot be picky. I ended up getting an average doe. I did not have her officially weighed, but she was somewhere around 100 pounds -- nothing special, but better than nothing. I took the final two days of the season (Monday and Tuesday) off from work with the sole purpose of filling my state land tag. The tag is for either sex deer (buck or doe). I put a lot of time in the woods this year between New Hampshire and Connecticut, so it was nice to not come away empty handed.
The woods in northwest Connecticut seem to be filled with wildlife. In the final two days of the hunting season on public land I saw 2 coyotes, a flock of turkeys, numerous squirrels, and 4 deer.

The venison is presently being packaged at a local butcher. This is a butcher that is totally new to me. Look for a possible future recommendation on this blog if everything turns out well.

Adventures in Connecticut Pheasant Hunting

In the shopping world the day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday. It's THE day for the retail business. In the world of Connecticut pheasant hunting, the day before Thanksgiving is THE day. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the last day for the state to stock pheasant for the year. That's they day the DEP dumps any remaining pheasants. I managed to take advantage, and to get one bird. It should have been more, but once again my poor shooting left my game bag lite. I'll definitely have to find some way to become a better shot with the shot gun between now and the 2009 season. Despite the misses, it was a good, long day in the field. Everyone in my group managed to get a bird.

The pheasants were not eager to fly on this cold day. We found one cock bird in the middle of the ice of a small pond. The ice was probably only about a quarter inch thick, but it was enough to hold the bird and keep him away from us. I think we'd still be standing there waiting for that bird to move if it was not for some other hunters who came along. They led their Springer Spaniel to the edge of the small pond, and once he saw that pheasant he did not hesitate to dive into the frigid water. He scared up the bird so that we were able to get a shot at it. The owners of the dog were nice enough to defer that bird to us, even though it was their dog that did the hard work! Thanks to Skippy and his owners.

Now that pheasant season is all but over in Connecticut, I'll start concentrating on finishing out the deer season, then eventually doing some ice fishing during the cold winter months.

Ruffled Grouse (Partridge) All But Extinct in Connecticut

I just returned from a week long deer hunting trip in the back woods of central New Hampshire. One very noticeable difference between the Connecticut woods and the New Hampshire woods was that New Hampshire had an abundance of partridge. Without even trying I flushed seven partridge in four days of deer hunting. Thinking back on the past years of hunting in Connecticut, in which I’ve heavily hunted pheasant, turkey, and deer, I have not seen or heard one partridge in the Connecticut woods.
The ruffled grouse used to be abundant in Connecticut. It was not uncommon in my youth to scare one up while walking. Although I have not commissioned a scientific study, it’s been my observation that today the ruffled grouse is all but extinct in Connecticut. I spend most of my time in central and northwest Connecticut, so perhaps partridge are still present in Fairfield County or east of the river. However, I recently read an article in American Hunter magazine discussing the decline of partridge in New Jersey, so I suspect the decline I’m observing is statewide.

I’m not sure why the ruffled grouse is able to thrive in New Hampshire, but not in Connecticut, especially considering other animal species previously only observed in the north (black bear, moose) are now calling Connecticut home. New Hampshire certainly has more forested acreage, but it would seem Connecticut would have at least some forest habitat that could support a ruffled grouse population.

Am I alone in this observation? I’d be interested in hearing any theories out there as to why partridge seem to be missing from the Connecticut woods.

Down, But Not Out

Yesterday we finally had some pheasant hunting action. Up until this point, most of my pheasant hunting this year has not been much more than a long walk through wet fields. I had kicked up only a few birds, and those that had been kicked up were out of gun range. Yesterday was a different story. We found birds, and had decent shots at them. The only problem was that I missed a wide open shot at a bird! There was no excuse. We knew the bird was there, and it was in a wide open field. I just straight up missed. It was the kind of miss that's going to bother me until I get my next bird. If I don't get another bird this year, it's going to bother me throughout the entire year. Let's hope it does not come to that!

A second bird I shot at went down, although it was with my second shot. Me and another guy both shot at it, so there's still some question as to who actually hit it. Regardless, the bird went down. It was likely the same bird I missed in the field the first time. As we approached the area where the bird went down we saw a pheasant running. This bird had nine lives! Just after, we heard shots a short distance away. It's likely some other hunters took the bird off the ground. It was a slap in the face to down a bird after just missing one, but not be able to collect it. It serves me right for missing the first wide open shot.

The weather was rainy, but warm. I knew that the pheasants tend to sit in the wet weather, but I really had never seen just how tight they sit until yesterday. We got to within 5 feet of a bird, and it did not move. If it was not for some luck and an eagle eye, we likely would have just walked right past that bird. If you go out in the rain, be aware that the pheasants will really sit.

Despite the misses and the rain, you can't really ask for a better day pheasant hunting. We found birds, harvested birds, and had a lot of action.

Hunting Dogs

I was desperate, so today I did something peculiar. I took the family pet dog pheasant hunting with me. I had the day off today for Veteran's Day, but none of my usual hunting companions had the day off. So, it was either go it alone, or take a chance with the dog. I have not had much luck this year flushing birds alone, so I took the chance. He's a 100% mutt, and certainly not any of your standard hunting breeds. Up until today, he was a total hunting rookie, although we have taken many walks in the woods together in the past.

Surprisingly, he did quite well! He was far from your ideal hunting dog, but he certainly helped my hunt with little issue. He stayed close to me. He was constantly looking back to check on me. He came back easily when called. He kept his nose to ground. He got into the bushes and covered some ground for me. He definitely coverd more ground than I would have alone. He did tend to stay on the paths more than you would like from a hunting dog, but was not stuck on the paths. Whenever something caught his attention he did not hesitate to jump into the thicket. He even passed the biggest test -- gun fire. I fired two shots while he was at my side. He was a little skittish when the gun fired, but he was not overly scared and did not leave my side. Within 10 seconds he was back to prancing around as if nothing happened. After some heavy work, he was pretty tired. He's sure to sleep well tonight. I think he enjoyed the trip, and I know I had more fun with him there with me.

Now, I'm not saying that everyone should go ahead and take their house pet into the field. However, your mutt dog may surprise you if given the chance. I'll be sure give my dog another chance out before the season is complete.

Gear for Connecticut Pheasant Hunting

Yesterday I spent all morning hunting pheasant in wet conditions. There were periods of light rain, but even when not raining, the fields were wet from consistent rain the previous day. Despite the rain, the temperature was warm, so getting cold was not a big issue. It was a perfect day in the field! Despite this fact, the less-than-ideal conditions got me thinking about gear (other than the firearm) for pheasant hunting in Connecticut.

Pheasant hunting in Connecticut is unique. It is not like classic pheasant hunting in South Dakota. Pheasant season in Connecticut starts in October and runs through November. Although it can get cool, the early fall season is warmer than the late fall deer hunting season. Unlike deer hunting, pheasant hunting involves nearly constant walking. Therefore, the cold is not as big of an issue. The factors to consider in pheasant hunting gear is mobility, protection from brush, and water protection.

Outfitting yourself for pheasant hunting in Connecticut is really pretty easy, and does not require any special gear, besides the orange vest required by law. You could go out in jeans, a flannel shirt, and hiking boots. However, if you plan on spending any significant time chasing birds, you may want to invest in some specific gear. The first thing to consider is foot wear. Snow is not usually an issue in Connecticut pheasant hunting (although it's not unheard of), but water certainly is an issue. Even on dry days, the grass you'll be tromping through will be wet, especially at sunrise. You want something with some water resistance. Regardless of how waterproof a boot claims to be, after a full day walking in waist high grass during rain shower your feet are going to get wet. Therefore, although waterproofing is a consideration, I consider comfort and weight more in my pheasant boots. Remember, pheasant hunting involves a lot of walking. If you're feet are likely to get wet anyway, I'd rather go with the lighter, more comfortable boot. I prefer lighter waterproof hiking-style leather boots as opposed to the more rugged work-type boots. Both will get the job done, and it's really a matter of personal preference. I've seen some guys wear the high ankle rubber farm boots. I'm not a fan of those type of boots when a lot of walking is involved. The boots I use cost me about $60.

Pheasant hunting ofter requires getting into some serious thicket. Although jeans would be OK, the extra protection provided by hunting pants specifically designed for upland game hunting can be useful. These pants have an extra layer of material on the front that is useful for turning back briers. You can get a pair of these pants for around $40.

I like to layer my shirts. The weather this time of year is unpredictable. Some days can be warm where you only need a light shirt. Other days require long-johns and a sweatshirt. I typically go with a t-shirt and a chamois shirt. If it gets too hot I can remove my shirt and store it in one of my game bags. I try to avoid wearing too much clothing on my upper body because I want to have mobility to be able to swing and shoot freely.

A good field coat can make your time in the field easier. In addition to providing protection from the rain and brush, a good coat (or vest) is a handy tool. A good field coat will have many pockets for carrying everything you need. It will also contain several game bags to hold the harvested birds. Most that are specifically made for upland hunting will have built in rings for holding shot gun shells. Some also have padding in the shoulder area. When deciding on a field coat, again consider mobility. You don't want something that hinders your movement when you swing to take a shot. The coat I bought was on the expensive side. It was around $100. However, a coat like this only gets better with age as it gets more broken in. I expect this coat to last for years.

Although none of this stuff is essential for a day in the Connecticut woods, spending the $200 or so required to pick up these items will make your time more enjoyable, and perhaps more successful.

Late Season Golf at Gillette Ridge Golf Club

The Facts:
What: 18 holes with carts
When: October, 2008
Cost: Not exactly sure because I did not directly pay, but it was not cheap. This is not the course to play if you're looking for a bargain.
Where: Gillette Ridge Golf Club, 1360 Hall Blvd (Route 218), Bloomfield, CT 06002
Phone: 860-726-1430
Tee times highly recommended

I will get right to the point on this post.

Gillette Ridge was the most challenging golf course I have played in Connecticut.

I have heard others compare it to Lake of Isles (the Foxwoods casino course) in level of difficulty, but I have yet to play Lake of Isles myself to offer a first hand comparison.
The course is also one of the nicest courses I have ever played. This is a high level course. This is not your local muni course. The price will reflect the quality of the course and facilities.
The protection of the greens is demonic. The areas around the greens are covered with traps, cliffs, and impossible rough. The landing areas of many of the greens are also very narrow, requiring a perfect shot to hold the green. If you end up in the sand trap off the edge of one of these narrow greens I might predict that your chances of going over and into the sand trap on the other side of the green are nearly as high as your chances of holding the green.
In addition to the highly protected greens, the holes are long. The tee boxes offer white, blue, and black tees for regular men's play. We played the blues, which were considerably more difficult than the white tees. Many of the tee shots require significant carry over high grass or hazards to reach the fairway. If you are a shorter hitter I would suggest playing from the white tees. Several of the guys in our group that often tee off with irons had difficulty reaching the fairways.
Although the tee shots require some length, the most forgiving aspect of the course is the openness of the tee shots. Once you get the ball out there, the landing areas for tees shots are relatively wide open. The course design gives an advantage to the long hitter, but requires accuracy as you approach the greens.
The challenge of Gillette Ridge made for a fun and unique day of golf. I would jump at the opportunity to play Gillette Ridge again.

Equipment Review: Mossberg 500 Field/Deer Combo Shotgun

This weekend I tried out the Mossberg 500 shotgun. Connecticut only allows shotgun hunting on state land, so I wanted a slug gun to be able to hunt deer on Connecticut state land later in November. I hunt mostly on private land, so my state land deer hunting would be only to supplement my regular private land hunting. Therefore, I was not looking for a high end gun. Price and value were more critical to me than features and appearance. The Mossberg 500 Field/Deer Combo 12 gauge fit the bill perfectly.

The Mossberg 500 will not win an beauty contests. It's a gun that's meant to be used, not to be polished and displayed. The combo pack comes with two barrels. One is a standard field barrel. The second barrel is a rifled slug barrel. The gun comes with a scope, 3 chokes, and 2 cheek plates. It's a pump action that can hold up to five 2 3/4 inch shells. The gun weighs 7.5 pounds. At about $265 it was a great value at Dick's Sporting Goods.

I tried out the gun with the field barrel this weekend while pheasant hunting. I missed on the only shot I had, but that was more than likely user error rather than equipment error. The gun did well in the field. It felt light and maneuverable. I have not yet tried out the slug barrel, but based on everything I've seen so far from the gun, I'm not expecting any issues.

It's early (I've only used it once), but so far I would recommend the Mossberg 500 for anyone looking for a solid working shot gun at a reasonable price.

Best of all: It's made in the USA.

New Lessons Learned from Day 1 of 2008 Pheasant Hunting

After much anticipation, the 2008 pheasant hunting season finally arrived in Connecticut. My group was out there first thing Saturday morning. The season started off well with many birds flushed and taken. There were many shots heard throughout the area, so one can assume that others were also having success.

While shaking off the rust, I made two observations that may be useful on the next pheasant hunt.

1) Consider using different shot gun loads depending on whether you are hunting with the assistance of a dog.

Without a dog I typically use a #7.5 as my first load and a #6 as my second load. I hunt with a double-barrel over-under, so I put the #7.5 in the top barrel and the #6 in the bottom barrel. My thinking is that when a bird first flushes the #7.5 is good for a close shot, but for the second shot the bird will be farther away so you need something with some extra distance, hence the #6 shot. This strategy is ok when working without a dog. Without a dog, you need to do the work of flushing, so you generally need to be relatively close to the bird to kick it up. In that instance, the #7.5 is fine.

However, I have found that #7.5 is not the best pheasant load when working with a dog. Yesterday was the first time I have ever hunted with a dog. I observed that since the dog tends to work out in front of the hunter, the bird is generally flushed at a distance a little farther away than it would be flushed out by a hunter without a dog. Therefore, you need a load with a little more distance. I would consider hunting with two #6 loads, or perhaps a #6 for the first shot and maybe even a #4 for the second shot.

2) Be prepared for a bird at all times. This seems obvious, but it is something that has cost me a bird more than once. It cost me one again yesterday. It was mid-day, and I was hunting alone without a dog. I had been walking around for a couple of hours unsuccessfully looking for birds. I had not heard any shots from other hunters. I came to a river. As I was walking the edge of the river trying to find a decent place to cross, a bird flushed right in front of me. However, I was paying more attention to the river. By the time I got my body and gun in position, the bird was too far away for a high percentage shot.

The whole reason for being out there is to hunt birds, so it did not make much sense for me to be concentrating on something else. This lapse definitely cost me a bird.

One final note: Even if you are unsure about whether or not you will go pheasant hunting this year, if there is even a slight chance you might go, please go to the town hall (or on-line) and buy your pheasant tags. Even if you do not end up going, buying your tags helps make for robust pheasant hunting because the number of birds bought is dependant on the number of tags sold in the previous year. The tags are only $10. To me, it's worth the $10 to keep the pheasant hunting opportunities strong for the following year.

Surviving Hurricane Omar in Puerto Rico

Hurricane Omar passed Puerto Rico last night. The island was shut down in anticipation of the storm. The storm ended up being a dud, as far as Puerto Rico was concerned. Just the very edge of the hurricane brushed the eastern end of the island. I was staying in San Juan, so I got a first hand view of the events.
Although I would not wish for a destructive storm, I have to admit I was a little disappointed. Based on the storm preparation here (for example, distributing a flashlight to each hotel room in my hotel, dismissing schools and government jobs, closing roads), I was expecting something big. Instead of swaying palm trees, sideways rain, and wobbling road signs, there was just a bit of wind, and well less than 1 inch of rain. Better safe than sorry I guess.
The biggest impact was on the traffic. A main artery from the south of the island to San Juan was closed, so all traffic had to go around the entire perimeter of the island on city roads (with stop lights) to get back to San Juan. It took me 3 and 1/2 hours to get from San German to San Juan.
So, in conclusion, we were fortunate to avoid the storm, even if it meant less excitement.

Fall Hunting Season Arrives

The fall 2008 hunting season has already started for some, but it starts for me next week when pheasant season opens. Posts have been slow on Connecticut Outdoors lately because we are in that limbo period where it is too cool for many summer activities, but not yet into the fall season. That changes next week. In addition to posts regarding the hunting season, expect reviews of new equipment including new boots, jacket, and rain gear that I plan to try out this year.

Sessions Woods -- Burlington, CT

What: Hiking trails, nature center
Where: Route 69, Burlington, CT

Sessions Woods is a state owned property featuring several hiking trails and a large nature center building. The building is used for programs, but also contains a permanent exhibit displaying samples of local wildlife. The highlight of Sessions Woods are the well maintained walking trails. The primary trail goes 2.6 miles through forested property. The trail is wide, and well maintained with crushed stone. It's an ideal trail for an easy hike, jog, or a dog walk. On Saturday morning I did the complete loop with my dog and 3-year old son. The trail contains mile markers, which are especially helpful to joggers.
Along the primary trail there are several side excursions. There is a permanent observation blind on a beaver pond, an outlook fire tower, and a waterfall, as well as several side trails. There are also nature exhibits along the trail.
Sessions Woods is a ideal place for a peaceful walk through the woods.

Transitioning to Fall

Connecticut Outdoors is experiencing a little bit of a slow down as we transition from the summer to fall season.

As we move towards fall you can expect a reduced percentage of posts relating to family day-trips, and a higher percentage of posts on fall hunting.

I still have a few family outdoor hikes planned while the weather is still good, but there will be no more beach related posts, no more camping/campground posts, and kayaking season is also likely ending.

I might also try to throw a few equipment reviews in, which are actually quite popular and generate a lot of hits from random Internet users.

A Day at the Beach: Silver Sands State Park – Milford, CT

Shhhhh. Don’t let too many people know about this little known gem! I hesitated to even put this one on my blog. However, this beach certainly has room for growth.

Credit my wife for discovering this one.

My family visited Silver Sands State Park during this past Labor Day weekend, typically one of the busiest beach weekends of the year. What a different beach experience from the typical Hammonassett-Rocky Neck trip! The park was 100% free. That’s right; no parking charge, no entrance fee. There was ample parking. The beach was not crowded at all, even at mid-day.
The attitude at Silver Sands was laid back. There was none of the strict rules and pretentiousness of other beaches. If you want to fly a kite, go ahead. If you want to bring your kayaks on the beach and do some paddling, go ahead.
Silver Sands beach includes an island a short distance out. This island is accessible by foot during low tide via a sand bar adjacent to the main beach. We used our kayaks to reach the island.
There are some things you will not find as Silver Sands that are available at some of the more popular state public beaches. There is not a changing area, shower area, or bathroom. Porto-potties only. Large waves are also non-existent at Silver Sands. This is good for small children, but may be a bit of a disappointment for older children that enjoy the waves. There is also no food service available on the beach. You will need to pack your own.
Although the water and overall grounds are quite nice, the sand is not the highest quality. There are quite a few small shells that make it a little rougher than some other beaches. I suggest bringing sandals or some sort of water shoe.
Some of these features may turn some people off to Silver Sands, but for me it was a benefit. Silver Sands was a bare bones, simple, back to basics park. Low crowds, low cost, and low stress.

Silver Sands will likely replace Hammonassett as our family beach destination.

Kayaking the Housatonic River

The Facts:

What: Housatonic River
Put In: Pull off parking area near power plant just below dam in Falls Village, CT

Take Out: Housatonic Meadows State Park in Cornwall Bridge, CT (see recommendations below)

Distance: About 10 miles

My wife and I just bought two new kayaks, so we were itching to try them on on a river trip. We decided to do a 10 mile stretch on the Housatonic River. We chose this for our first trip because I am very familiar with the area being originally from this region.

We are both novices to kayaking. This was the first river trip for both of us. It was not a difficult run. The start of the trip is mostly slow moving, so your speed really depends on how hard you want to paddle. We got on the water around 11 AM, stopped for lunch at the covered bridge in West Cornwall, and made it to the the take out area around 3 PM.

The second leg of the trip (after the covered bridge) features more fast moving water. There are some moderate rapids, but certainly nothing that ever put us in any danger of tipping. We would perhaps get a little splash at the most. Even if you did tip (which again, seems remote) the river is mostly narrow and shallow. You would most likely be able to stand, and if not, it would be a short swim to shore. My point is, this trip is certainly acceptable to a novice or recreational kayaker.

We mostly had the river to ourselves, save for the occasional fly fisherman. The trip provided an excellent opportunity for bird watching. We spotted several cranes, hawks, and other assorted birds that you don't normally see at the bird feeder.

I do have one recommendation to improve the trip. Water levels were quite low for about the last mile of our trip. We got hung up on rocks several times. Perhaps it could be different in the spring, or after a heavy rain, but in late August it was an annoyance. Instead of ending at Housatonic Meadows State Park parking area, I recommend finding a spot further north to take out. There are several pull off points that fisherman use along the river on Route 7 that would serve as an adequate parking spot. I would suggest finding a spot just north of the Housatonic Meadows campground. This would reduce the length of the trip, but avoid the last mile of struggling with rocks in 12 inch deep water. The second negative of taking out at Housatonic Meadows is that there is a pretty steep bank to climb from the river to the parking area. It was not a problem for me, but I can see how some people might find it difficult to climb such a bank while trying to drag a kayak.

Despite these take out issues, it was a fun and enjoyable trip. A great day in the outdoors.

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Kayaking at Park Pond -- Winchester, CT

The Facts:
Where: Park Pond. State boat launch off RT 263 side of Blue Street.
What: Leisurely paddle around pond.
Of Note: Ample parking. Port-a-pottie in parking lot. Few people. No large motor boats.

We finally got a chance to try out our new kayaks. The family was new to kayaking, so for our first excursion we chose a calm place where we could be leisurely. Park Pond in Winchester fit the bill perfectly. Everyone had fun exploring the medium sized (by Connecticut standards) pond. The water was clear and warm. We were able to observe two turtles sunning themselves on a fallen log, as well as a family of ducks. We don't have a lot of pictures because it's always a risk bringing the camera onto the kayak. However, you might be able to tell from the two pictures posted that Park Pond is quite, with only a few cottages. On the far side there are 2 summer camps, but they did not appear to be doing any activities near the water. Overall a fun family experience.

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Campground Review: Wolf's Den Family Campground -- East Hampton, CT

The Facts:

Where: 256 Town Street, East Haddam, CT

Contact: 860-873-9681

Website: http://www.wolfsdencampground.com/

What: A long weekend of camping

Features: Pool, large wooded sites, full hook-ups, playground, camp store, mini golf, ice cream, right down the road from Gillette Castle State Park, 3 PM check-in/check-out

Cost: $78 for camper site for 3-day weekend

Wolf's Den Family Campground has struck a balance. They have managed to be kid friendly, and adult friendly, while still retaining the feeling of being in the outdoors. It's an excellent family campground. Wolf's Den has all the amenities that kids enjoy like a large pool, playground, game room, mini-golf, and a camp store. Wolf's Den also had several organized activities like arts-and-crafts, horse shoe tournaments, and softball. The weekend we attended was a theme weekend. The theme was safety. The campground had a fire truck, ambulance, police boat, police cruiser, and police dog all on display for the kids. The kids were able to climb, touch, and explore all the equipment in a laid back atmosphere. The equipment was so hands on that my son managed to blow the extremely loud horn of the fire truck right in the ear of his uncle! The highlight of the day was a state police helicopter landing. It's not every day that you get to watch a helicopter make a landing. The theme weekend concluded with a fun, family-oriented DJ dance on the basketball court. The kids loved it, and it held the interest of the adults as well.

The sites at Wolf's Den are large for a private campground. You can choose from wooded sites or more open sites. The open sites are closer to the activities (pool, etc.), but the wooded sites are more peaceful. We chose a wooded site. All the sites I observed were flat and well kept. Just a single site was plenty large enough for our camper, a large tent, and a screen tent. 7 people camped comfortably at the site. The only disadvantage to the site was that it was at the bottom of a steep hill, so we had to trek up this hill to got to the attractions. This was a minor inconvenience.

The campground was well run. The pool was extra large and there were plenty of chairs around.

There were few negatives about Wolf's Den Family Campground. If I have to list a couple negatives, I would say that one is that they tend to "nickel-and-dime" you a bit. For example, they charge $.50 for the mini-golf which could easily be free. There is also a charge for the arts-and-crafts programs. Although a bit annoying, these charges were not a big issue. The only other minor negative I could think of was the attitude of the guy in charge of the pool. He gave us trouble for having a morning coffee in the pool area, and was a little gruff at times with the kids. I hesitate to even mention it because it was definitely not an issue. I just feel I should come up with at least a couple areas for improvement just on the off-chance the staff happens to read this!

On the way out of the campground, we stopped at Gillette Castle, which is literally the next turn just down the road from the Campground. The campground is also within a 5 minute drive from the Connecticut River boat launch, and the Goodspeed Opera House. We enjoyed a nice picnic lunch at Gillette Castle (see previous post).

In summary, we all had a fun, active, and relaxing weekend at Wolf's Den Family Campground. The kids are already asking to go back. I guess the highest praise I could give is to become a repeat customer, and plans are already in the works for my family to return to Wolf's Den Family Campground.

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Gillette Castle State Park -- East Haddam, CT

The Facts:

What: Museum, walking trails, picnicking

Homepage: http://www.ct.gov/dEP/cwp/view.asp?A=2716&Q=325204

Cost: $5 per adult for castle tour

The last time I visited Gillette Castle State Park I was a young kid on a day trip with my mother and grandmother. At that time the castle itself was really the only attraction, and even that was not in the greatest shape. Since that time, the state has initiated an overhaul of the park. The result is that an ill-fitting oddity has been transformed into a Connecticut asset.

The castle itself is interesting. It's a self-guided tour but with guides throughout to answer questions, and give short presentations. The castle features the eccentric, but clever, designs of William Gillette. The top floors of the castle offers scenic views of the Connecticut River and surrounding valley. Touring the whole castle probably took about 1 hour.

While the castle indeed makes the park unique, the highlight of the park is the surrounding grounds. The state has made the grounds of the park a pleasure to roam. There are several parking areas with a multitude of picnic tables. There are also walking paths throughout the property, and one leading down to the river. I would not call these "hiking" trails as they are generally relatively short, but they do offer a good opportunity to enjoy the natural surroundings. We even caught a glimpse of a deer on the way into the park.

The park also offers a newly constructed visitor center that includes a gift shop and dinning. However, our group decided to skip the dinning hall and take advantage of one of the numerous picnic spots. We had an enjoyable, laid back, impromptu picnic in a secluded wooded parking area.
I was pleasantly surprised by my experience at Gillette Castle State Park.

Lynch Park, Beverly MA

The Facts:
Where:
Lynch Park
55 Ober Street
Beverly, MA 01915
What: Beach, Picnic Area, Swimming, Fishing, Kayaking, Playground, Rose Garden
Cost: Free with Beverly resident. Parking fee for non-residents ($20) during summer

Yes, I know the name of this blog is Connecticut Outdoors. And, yes, I know Lynch Park is in Massachusetts. However, as it says in the blog description, connecticutoutdoors.blogspot.com is dedicated to outdoor recreation in Connecticut and beyond. This recently past weekend my family had the opportunity to travel to "the beyond". While visiting friends in the area we spend a leisurely morning at Lynch Park in Beverly, MA. The park offers a great chance for a relaxing day. It is not an especially large park, so it does not offer serious hiking trails. That's not what Lynch Park is all about. The park is mainly geared towards shoreline activities, picnicking, and relaxing. The park is very well kept, and there are plenty of open spaces. The park has two beaches. One is a sandier beach, and the second is a rocky beach. My son had great fun tossing rocks and hunting crabs on the rocky beach. There were kayak rentals available near the sandy beach, although it seemed like an impromptu thing, and not something you could count on being there. Lynch Park offers an excellent opportunity to explore Salem harbor by kayak. Several families took advantage of the great weather and beautiful park setting to enjoy a picnic on one of the many available picnic tables. The playground was adequate, and the flower garden was worth checking out.
Lynch Park is not a place in which you would make a dedicated trip to visit. However, if you are in the area it was a pleasant place to spend a lazy day.

Hiking to Castle Craig at Hubbard Park in Meriden, CT

Hubbard Park in Meriden offers hikers the opportunity to hike to one of the highest peaks in the east within 25 miles of the Atlantic. Castle Craig, and the spectacular views of the central Connecticut valley await. The castle can be accessed via several trails starting in Hubbard Park. It is also part of the blue blazed Metacomet Trail. For those that make the climb, they will be rewarded with views that span from Massachusetts to the north to Long Island to the south. It is quite spectacular, and well worth the effort.

The path to Castle Craig includes a more direct trail hike, as well as paved trail. The paved trail (closed to vehicles) must wind around the local reservoir, so it is quite a bit longer. We elected to take the trail up and the road down. If time is a concern I would recommend taking the trail both up and back, although the paved road is a much gentler trip. The trail maps at the start of the trail within Hubbard Park leave a little to be desired. They do not show all the possible trails. However, if you goal is to reach Castle Craig, as long as you continue to go up, it's a good bet you will eventually hit it. Overall I estimate the trip was about 5 miles, but I have now official measurement.

The trail is moderate hiking. There are some steep areas with some loose stone. Although do-able by a reasonably fit adult, the trail proved difficult for the some of the younger children in our group (ages 3 and 5), and necessitated some carrying by the stronger adults. The 9 and 15 year old did not have an issue. Although a bit difficult, upon reaching Castle Craig at the top all agreed the effort was worth it. Hey, the difficulty makes one appreciate the view from the summit even more.

There was some whining on the long paved trail down, but considering all the kids spent about an hour running around the park playground at the conclusion of the hike, I suspect the limited whining that did occur was not due to tiredness.

Hiking Hubbard Park to Castle Craig was a good family experience. Just be aware that it may be more suitable to the older kids. If you are prepared for some carrying, by all means bring the littlest ones. I recommend this location for an enjoyable day hike.

Morning Golf at East Mountain Golf Course, Waterbury, CT

The Facts:
What: 9 holes, walking
When: 7-26-2008, 7 AM
Cost: $20
Where: East Mountain Golf Course
171 East Mountain Road
Waterbury, CT
203-753-1425
Tee times accepted.

3 friends and I picked a great morning to take in 9 holes. The weather was perfect. We teed off at 7 AM, so the dew was still on the greens.
East Mountain Golf Course was a challenging course. Although the course is tucked into a residential neighborhood, there is plenty of length to the holes. The layout was not filled with imagination, but it was acceptable. The par threes were especially tough, measuring 188, 203, and 137 yards respectively. The greens were in excellent condition, but the sand and fairways could have been a little better. Not unusual for a municipal golf course.
The course appeared well run, with friendly, unpretentious staff. We teed off right at our tee time. The course was busy, but definitely not too crowded.
Although I did not partake, the facilities did include a small restaurant and bar.
I would definitely go back to East Mountain Golf Course, and I recommend it for anyone looking to grab a round in the Waterbury area.

Urban Sprawl: Wildlife Habitat Down 11% since 1985

Yesterday I received the latest issue of Connecticut Wildlife magazine. Connecticut Wildlife is a publication produced by the Connecticut DEP. The magazine has articles about all the various wildlife projects being undertaken in the state. It is published every-other month. At $6 for a 1-year subscription, $11 for a 2-year, and $16 for a 3-year subscription, it's a great value. I recommend the magazine for anyone interested in local wildlife. You can get more information about the magazine at www.ct.gov/dep.

There was an interesting article in the July/August 2008 edition. The article described a new technique the DEP has enlisted for estimating the amount of land within Connecticut suitable as habitat for deer. The article explained that overall deer habitat is down 8.1% from 1985 to 2002. That's a span of 17 years. If we extrapolate that out to 2008 one can assume that habitat would be down 11% from 1985 to today. That may or may not seem like a big number to you. However, keep in mind that for the last several years, the state of Connecticut has actually lost human population. So while the human population has declined, habitat loss has continued. Also, although the overall number was 8.1%, Hartford County lost 26.2% and Fairfield County lost 15.1% of available wildlife habitat. Those are big numbers. Even while continuing to lose human population, Connecticut has managed to become the second most developed state, behind NJ (Some sources have CT as the 4th most developed state.).

I don't know the exact cause or answer to the problem, or even if it is a problem. However, I suspect that it is indeed a problem, and I strongly suspect that the relatively rapid loss of habitat is an indicator of an important issue facing the state: Urban sprawl. The issue of urban sprawl in Connecticut is not getting enough serious attention from our politicians. Urban sprawl is one of the greatest single threats to lifestyle here in Connecticut. It is exacerbated by a local property tax system that encourages development. Quality of life in Connecticut will be impacted if we continue on the current trajectory. New Jersey has already seen the lose of quality of life. NJ law makers have now begun to take the issue seriously. Connecticut would be best served to do the same.

I recommend checking out the Connecticut Wildlife magazine.

The GE 5K Road Race Benefiting the Petit Family Foundation -- Plainville, CT

Today I had the opportunity to be one of the ~2100 runners competing in the first annual GE 5K Road Race. Even with a 9:30 AM race time, temperatures were oppressively hot and muggy. No matter. The event went off great, and considering this was only the first annual race, I expect it to only get better in the future. The race included a kids run, a standard 5K road race, and a fitness walk. The cost was $30 with all proceeds going to the Petit Family Foundation. The race had many local sponsors that were quite generous. Free drinks, food, and various items were available. The post race festivities included food and music. Even if you were not a runner, it was a fun event for the whole family. I do not do many road races, but I definitely plan on participating in this one again next year. If you are considering entering the race next year, I strongly suggest pre-registering.
One note: The kids fun run was a little chaotic, in a comical way. Many kids were more eager to take off than a race horse at the derby. The organizers had everything they could do to keep the kids behind the starting line. Under these circumstances, the race organizer made one crucial mistake: While trying to explain to the kids how the race would start she used the words "Ready, Get Set, Go". Her intention was to explain to the kids that when they hear that signal they should take off. However, upon hearing these magic words, even out of context, the eager kids immediately broke from the starting line. The organizer tried in vain to re-group the kids for a re-start. Eventually she just gave up and let the mob take off. It was a funny moment. Each kid that completed the run got a medal.

Rolling Greens Golf Club -- Rocky Hill, CT

The Facts:

What: 9 holes, walking

When: 7-16-2008, 5:30 PM

Cost: $17

Where: Rolling Greens Golf Club, 600 Cold Spring Road, Rocky Hill, CT

One key word describes Rolling Greens: Tight. Rolling Greens is a 9-hole public course. The course includes a small pro shop and restaurant with bar. The course is totally surrounded by condos. Some of the condos are so close that they must get regularly pelted with golf balls. This makes for a tight, and challenging course. Rolling Greens is not short. It is standard distance. However, because of the narrow fairways and frequent, sharp dog-legs, the driver can not be hit off the tee on many holes. If you like to haul off and whack your driver, this is not the course for you. If you enjoy the challenge of course management, you will appreciate Rolling Greens.
The course was in good shape overall – nothing out of the ordinary for a small public course in Connecticut. The tees and greens were in good shape. The fairways were ok, but hard. The sand traps were a little hard. Because of the condo roads meandering throughout the course it was at times difficult to locate the next tee. Some of the holes required a significant walk from green to next tee. Not a big deal, but a minor annoyance. One negative I did notice was the lack of water in some of the ball washers. That’s a pet peeve of mine.
We arrived at the course at about 5:20 PM. We were on the tee by 5:30. There was absolutely no wait. It was as if we had our own private course.
Although the course will never be mistaken for Pebble Beach, the low crowd, fair price, and decent shape will bring me back to play Rolling Greens again.

The 19th hole was better than expected. The bar was well populated for a Wednesday night. It appears as though a lot of the condo residents patronize the bar separate from golf. Just be prepared for $4 bottles of beer.

Equipment Review: Schwinn Airdriver 1100 Bicycle Pump -- Piece of S*^t

A bike pump is an essential piece of equipment to bring along on any camping trip that includes bikes. It's quite frustrating to hop on your bike in anticipation of a nice ride around the campgrounds and find out that the tire is flat. Regardless of how diligent I am about pumping up the tires before the trip, somehow at some point during the camping trip we almost always end up re-filling with the pump for one reason or another. My previous two bike pumps broke. The Schwinn Airdriver 1100 is the third bike pump I have purchased in the recent past. My first two pumps were cheap no-name pumps. This time, I decided to spend a little money and upgrade to the Schwinn name-brand pump. I bought this pump at Target, and I recall the price being around $30. This pump has the standard bike connection, and also includes a built-in needle that's intending for pumping up balls and the like.

This pump has been a big disappointment. I do not recommend buying it. If I had inspected the product closer before my purchase, I would have noticed that the valve area is 100% plastic. The plastic connection valve is not able to make a strong connection to the valve stem of the bike tire. As a result, the connection leaks and you can not get enough air in the tire to get it up to the pressure required. Although this pump has a fancy design and the Schwinn name brand, it is your typical made-in-China-use-the-cheapest-plastic-possible piece of junk. Not unusual for many hard-line products available at Target stores. If you need a pump, spend your money elsewhere.

Readers can ignore this one. Just a post to set up a technorati account. Sorry for the inconvenience.

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A Note Regarding the Writing in This Blog

Just wanted to let everyone know that most of the writing in this blog is of the brain-to-finger-tips-to-keyboard style of writing. I have a full time job and a full time family, so I don't always have all the time necessary to craft perfect posts. Sometimes you may notice a stream-of-consciousness style. Other times you may see some grammatical issues, or an occasional spelling mistake. I want to take this opportunity to apologize in advance, and ask you to bare with me as I try to add content to the site.
As always, if you see a mistake, feel free to point it out in the form of a post. I'll do my best to make corrections.

J

Campground Review: Independence Day Weekend at Lone Oak Campground in East Canaan, CT

Let me start off by saying this was one of the most difficult camping trips I have ever done, and it was little fault of Lone Oak campground. Overall we managed to have a good time, but the trip was one incident after another. On Thursday I packed up the kids (ages 3 and 15) and towed my pop-up camper north to Lone Oak Campground. As I was registering in the office, the rain started. By the time I got to my wooded site it was pouring rain. I set up everything in the rain while trying to keep a precocious 3-year old from getting soaked. After getting set up, it was time to eat. Luckily I had planned ahead and pre-cooked some ribs. All I had to do was heat them on the grill. As I started getting everything set up I noticed that our site had no picnic table. Ugh! We survived with the little table from the pop-up. After dinner the rain stopped. We were able to walk around the grounds and check out the playground. I stopped into the office and they took care of the missing picnic table. That night we were able to enjoy a nice campfire. In my haste to get into our site I somehow inadvertently ran over something that bent the frame to the camper stairs. My wife was joining the next day, so luckily I was able to call her and have her bring the tools I would need to repair the damage. We had a good night's sleep (although it rained hard during the night), but for some unknown reason, upon awaking the next morning the 15-year old decided to jump up in his bed. The impact shook the whole camper. This dislodged our propane stove, a secondary stove I had resting on the main stove, as well as a Coleman lantern I also had on the stove. All 3 pieces of equipment were broken. I was able to repair the lantern, but the damage to the two cooking devices left us only with a grill for cooking the rest of the weekend. Aaargh! There went our plans for a big breakfast on Saturday morning! Later that day the misfortune continued when I got my keys locked in my car. Needless to say, this trip was quickly turning into something out of a Chevy Chase Vacation movie. On Saturday we awoke to more rain. By this time our site had a significant patch of mud, but it was far enough out of the way that we could mostly avoid it. We took a trip to the movies to see Wall-e while it was raining. Fortunately, when the movie ended, so did the rain. We returned to Lone Oak and had a good time playing in their swimming pools and playground. The day's activities concluded with a ride in the Lone Oak fire truck. My 3-year old loved it.

So, the trip was a little rough. But what about the campground? Lone Oak was well run, clean, and well managed. With all that being said, it was not really the campground for me. Typically when I go camping I look for some natural resources like a lake or hiking trails or a river, etc. Lone Oak does not have any of those features. Therefore, they must make up for it in activities. To their credit, they do a good job organizing softball games, DJs, water balloons, volleyball, etc. All that stuff is great for the kids. It's just not the kind of stuff I look to do on a camping trip. Generally I like to explore and enjoy the outdoors. Maybe do some hiking, or bike riding, or fishing. If that's what you're looking for, Lone Oak is definitely not the place for you. However, if you want a place that can keep the kids busy, definitely check out Lone Oak.

On the plus side, Lone Oak offered all the services any camper could want. They had a full deli, store, ice cream shop, rec hall, 2 pools, a large playground, a small outdoor movie screen, and a full bar. My son especially enjoyed the pool and the playground.

On the negative side, the sites themselves leave a little to be desired. They are close together with many seasonal campers. I was especially unhappy with my site since it featured several roots, and more mud than most sites. Also, since it is so geared towards kids, you can expect a lot of teenagers to be prowling around. I had forgotten how moronic a group of hormonal teenagers get when in groups, but I was quickly reminded. Although sometimes annoying, they were generally harmless. One final negative I need to mention is the price. I paid $236 for a electricity and water site (no sewer) on a holiday weekend (3 nights). I understand those are holiday rates, but I could almost have stayed in a hotel for that price.

I stayed at Lone Oak because I had to attend a birthday party at a home very close to the campground. However, I don't think I will be going back. It's not due really to anything Lone Oak did or did not do. It's just not my kind of campground. If you are looking for an activity-based campground that caters to the children, I would recommend considering Lone Oak due to how well it is managed. However, be sure to consider the high price in your decision. If you are looking for a true experience in nature, look elsewhere.

The Seasons in Connecticut

The great outdoors is not the first thing that comes to mind when people think of Connecticut. However, as I sit here in the middle of summer contemplating the different outdoor opportunities available in the area, it struck me that Connecticut could get a little short changed as an outdoor destination. True, Connecticut does not have the dramatic land features of the west. True, Connecticut can be overcrowded. Despite these realities, opportunities for great outdoor adventures exist. The small size and great diversity of the state offers variety within driving distance. Ocean beaches, lakes and rivers, wooded forests, and mountain trails are all accessible for a day trip.

For me, each season brings a different set of available outdoor options. In the summer I am able to devote a lot of time to camping and golf. Hiking, fishing, and trips to the beach are also annual rites of summer. As the leaves change, hiking becomes an even more attractive option. I also look forward to the fall hunting season. Last year I chased pheasant and deer in Connecticut. In winter I fight cabin fever with ice fishing and a rare ski trip. In spring, I count the days until the spring turkey season opens. Later this summer my wife and I plan on tackling our first kayak adventure together.

My point is, that each season brings presents us with different outdoor opportunities. I plan to take full advantage to what each season has to offer.

9 Holes at Tunxis Plantation Country Club -- Farmington, CT

The Facts
What: 9 holes walking
When: June 30th at 4:30 PM
Cost: $21
Where: 89 Town Farm Road, Farmington, CT 860-677-1367

Tunxis Plantation offers 45 holes (two 18 hole courses and one 9 hole course). It is a fully public course, but it can get quite busy on weekends so tee times are recommended. I am quite familiar with the course since I play in a weekly league that meets there every Monday. Tunxis offers a full service bar and restaurant, a full pro shop, a grass driving range and 2 very large practice greens. It's a behemoth of central CT golf.
The course is primarily known for three things; being in great shape, being flat, and being relatively forgiving to spray hitters. The conditions today lived up to Tunxis' reputation. The greens, fairways, and sand traps were all in impeccable shape. The course is quite flat and wide open. However, the greens are generally well protected to help make up for the forgiving fairway layout. There are also several "decision holes" in which you have to make the decision to go-for-it or lay up.
This course is indeed flat. There is hardly much elevation on any of the 45 holes. This can sometimes make for a boring golf experience if you play Tunxis often, but on the plus side it makes it an easy course to save some dough by walking instead of springing for the cart.
Tunxis is one of the most consistent courses I have ever played. It's a workhorse that always puts out a good golf experience. I recommend the course. Conditions are excellent right now, per usual.
As for my league match today; I certainly did not have my A-game. However, I did a good job scrabbling and got out of there with a 45. Good enough for a 2-up match win. It was a good win against a strong, trash talking opponent.

Heublein Tower and Talcott Mountain State Park -- Simsbury

The Facts
Where:

Park spans the towns of Avon, Simsbury, and Bloomfield
When:

6-28-2008

Driving along route 10 from Avon to Simsbury you can see the Heublein tower atop a ridge to the right. Conditions were perfect this Saturday morning to take the 1.25 mile hike from the parking area just off route 185 to the tower. The trail is rocky with a slight uphill grade. It's clear and easy to follow. Our group included a 3-year old, a 5-year old, and a 8-year old. Even on a 88 F degree day all the kids made the hike without much trouble. Only caution is to be aware of rocks and roots along the trail, but overall the trail is in good shape and easy to navigate. On the way to the tower the trail passes along the mountain ridge. There are numerous spots that provide over-look points. The ridge gives an excellent view of the scenic valley. A great photo opportunity.
The hike to the tower takes about 30 minutes. The tower includes some exhibits from the original occupant. There are several picnic areas. The tower has bathrooms, water, vending machines and even a dog watering station. The dog watering station is especially appreciated, and a nice touch.
One of the best features of a short, non-strenuous hike like this is that everyone on the trail is in a friendly mood. Pleasantries are often exchanged with the people you meet along the trail. The trail is a great stress reliever. My family and I make it a habit of making the trek at least on an annual basis.
Check the DEP website for more information: http://www.ct.gov/dEP/cwp/view.asp?A=2716&Q=325272

Keney Park -- Hartford

The Facts
Place: Keney Park Golf Course, Hartford
Date of Play: 6-25-2008
Time: Teed off at 6 PM
Cost: $15.50 walking

My buddies and I grabbed 9 holes after work this past Wednesday. This was my first time playing Keney Park Golf Course. The course is nestled in the back of a public park in north Hartford. The park is quite large and continues on both sides of the street, so finding the golf course can be a bit tricky since you have to travel quite a distance through a park road before the course comes into view. I eventually found it. The club house is small, but gets the job done. The course was short, but interesting. It featured numerous hills, swales and contours not always typical in central CT golf courses. Definitely not a flat course. Most of the holes are short but the greens are fairly well protected to make up for the lack of distance. Fairways and tees were in good condition. Rough was short and forgiving. My primary criticism with the course was the condition of the greens. Naturally soft and slow, they were uneven with many pock marks. Getting a true roll was a crap shoot. Considering the amount of rain we've received this spring-summer season, the greens were not in the best of shape. They were not terrible, but there was definitely room for improvement. However, overall the course provided the standard municipal golf course experience. If you are in the area it's worth a try, but I would not consider traveling any distance to play this course. Certainly a public or muni course in your area would likely be on par or better than this course. The scores in my foursome included something in the neighborhood of 2 44s a 54 and a 55.
OK, that's the standard write up, now for a little story:At the first tee, the course has an "Ambassador" apparently to keep order. As often seems to be the case, this starter was an older gentleman, probably retired, working at the course for some extra cash. Well, give an old guy a cart with an "Ambassador" stamp on it and he suddenly becomes Idi Amin from The Last King of Scotland movie. The starter felt the need to show his power by yelling at me for "practicing" on his tee. I was just swinging the club back and forth to loosen up like nearly every golfer at every course does on the first tee. When I asked where I was supposed to practice, he replied "At home." I bit my tongue, but if you've ever played golf for any length of time, I'm sure you've run into the grumpy-old-man-starter-guy. The story continues...after the group ahead of us got sufficiently ahead, the first guy in our group teed up and hit. He was immediately scolded by the starter because he did not wait for his go-ahead. Fortunately everyone in the group was able to take a deep breath and let it go. We got off the first tee and had a fun round of golf, including a couple of cold beers. Players beware of the starter-Nazi if you decide to take a trip to Keney!

First Entry!

This is my first entry just to set this up. Look for content regarding all sorts of outdoor activities in Connecticut in the future. Activities covered should include hiking, fishing, hunting, ice fishing, paddle sports, wildlife watching, camping, and more.