BEAVER POND

Litchfield, CT (White's Woods) - This is a photo of a Beaver Pond in White's Woods.
 

This is the work of the beaver that lives in this pond; looks like he just started. I've seen massive trees that have been felled by beavers. This tree is small in comparison.
 

ALL WARS MEMORIAL

Bantam, CT - The Tyler-Seward Kubish VFW Post #44 conducts a Veteran of the Month program for any veteran that has died; does not have to be in combat. I assume most are veterans that have fought years ago, from any war. The family petitions the post to honor their loved one for a particular month. They have a ceremony on this memorial and at the end a flag is given to the family.
 

SOLDIERS MONUMENTS

Winsted, CT - This monument was donated by Charles H. Pine (1845 - 1915). He enlisted in the Union army, Conneticut Volunteers, at the age of 16 as a drummer. He served three years until June 20, 1865. The monument was dedicated May 30, 1905.
 

Seymour, CT - This monument was dedicated by Charles H. Pine on June 11, 1904.
 

SILAS DEANE HOUSE

Wethersfield, CT - Silas Deane was sent to France as a special ambassador on a secret mission to secure loans from French capitalists and entice Lafayette, and De Kalb to take service in the Continental Army against Great Britain.
 

HENS AND CHICKS

Southwick, MA (Blossoming Acres) - For some reason I find so much to photograph here. I go here twice a week to get my Anadama Bread fix.

Here are children's shoes with Hens and Chicks in them in color. 

I had previously changed this photo to black and white; when I was selecting something to post today, this just hit me. There is something about this photo I really like.

Let me know which one you like, black and white, or color.
 

These are just Hens no Chicks.
 

FLAGS ON MAIN ROAD

Granville, MA - The flags are out for Memorial Day. Every patriotic holiday the town puts out flags along Main Road.
 

HARROWING EXPERIENCE

Granville, MA - This farmer is disk harrowing the field getting ready to plant corn.
 

SPRINGFIELD SKYLINE OVER CT RIVER

Springfield, MA - This is a view of the Springfield Skyline looking over the Connecticut River; from the West Springfield side.
 

MISSION CHURCH IN BETHLEHEM

Bethlehem, CT - This is what is known as the "Mission" church. It is called that because it used to be shaped like an old Spanish Mission. Over the years the Spanish style bell tower was removed. Every Sunday a priest would come from Watertown, about eight miles away, to say mass. Today, a new church is built across the street and there is a priest in residence. This is also the church I was married in, many moons ago. We had a bluegrass band playing in the church and at the reception, but that is a story for another time.
 

PLUNGE POOL

Litchfield, CT (White's Woods) - This is the trail to Plunge Pool. The rock walls have cables between them to keep people from going over the bank 

View of Plunge Pool from the trail.
 

COBBLESTONE COURT

Litchfield, CT - Here are a couple of views of the cobblestone court just behind the buildings that line Main Street. I believe that there is an Antique store, kitchen shop, and a real estate office. It is just a quaint place to walk through 

Another view 

WOOD’S PIT BBQ AND MEXICAN CAFÉ

Bantam, CT - This is a metal sculpture of Woodrow the Pig above Wood's BBQ. I thought it was a cool sign. The food is excellent especially the ribs and pulled pork...yum!
 

PEACEFUL POND

Near Bomoseen, VT - I took this photograph a while ago while visiting a friend in Vermont. We were sitting in my truck waiting for the rain to slow down so we could go canoeing and fishing with out getting too wet. The scene looked so peaceful that I took this photo. I often use it as background on my computer, just looking at it gives me a calm feeling. So just sit back and relax (at least while you are waiting for the thirty seconds to be up for you BlogExplosion people).
 

GRANBY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Granby, CT - Granby was settled as the Salmon Brook section of Simsbury in the early 18th century and established as a separate ecclesiastical society in 1736. Granby became a separate town in 1786. This is where the Farmington Canal started (I will give more information on that when I post photos about Farmington, CT).
 

BLACK BEAR

Tolland, MA - I was driving down a dirt road yesterday and saw this bear. I stopped my truck and frantically grabbed my camera (which was in my coat pocket in the passenger seat) and quickly snapped the picture. Bear sightings are not that common unless you have a bird feeder in your back yard. Ironically, this was my second bear sighting in a week. The other bear ran into the bushes before I got a clear shot of him. These photos are doubly hard because I have two barking dogs in the back of the truck.
 

This is the second shot of the bear as he lumbered into the woods.
 

This was last weeks bear; too bad he went behind the bushes since I was only about 10 yards away from him. He is looking back; you can see his ears on either side of the leaning tree.
 

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MILE STONE

Woodbury, CT - This is one of the mile stones put here by Benjamin Franklin. In 1763, Ben was Assistant Postmaster General of the United States. He had a devise on the wheel of his chaise (two wheeled cart drawn by one horse) that marked off miles. He went from Boston to New York marking off each mile; the distance was two hundred fifty four miles. At the mile mark a stake was put into the ground and then a crew would erect these Connecticut Sandstone markers with the distance marked on it. I couldn't figure out all the markings on this stone but it is located approximately 80 miles from New York City.

Info from: West Brookfield Historical Commission Website
 

MONSTERS IN THE YARD

North Granby, CT - I stopped and took some photos of this collection of monsters in this front yard.
 

Tyrannosaurus al la Junkyard
 

WREATH BIRD

Southwick, MA - I snapped this photo of a perching bird which was framed by a grapevine wreath. The photo was taken at a place called Blossoming Acres as you can see by the background it lives up to its name.
 

ACRES OF APPLE BLOSSOMS

This is a close-up of apple blossoms in one of the orchards near me.
 

Granville, MA - It is apple blossom time in Granville; it is a small town (pop. Approx. 1500) there are no less than five orchards, four within a half mile of my house. The fragrance was quite nice when I went out to take these photos.
 

MASONIC TEMPLE

Woodbury, CT - King Solomon's Lodge No. 7, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, was chartered in 1765. There is a way for members to drive in the back without having to climb the stairs up the cliff.
 

“ORIGINAL” ROAST BEEF DINNER

Morris, CT - I spotted this sign and it intrigued me, what did they mean by "original"? I saw a women walking into the town hall next-door and asked her why original? She said she did not know but she guessed that the church that was putting on the meal was the first in the area to run a roast beef dinner and the others were just copying them. Well, good a guess as any. I think it will remain a mystery.
 

BANTAM BREAD COMPANY

Bantam, CT - I've been here a few times; it makes fantastic hearth baked bread. I think their ad in the phone book says it best, "Certified Organic Grains, Guaranteed Great Flavor, No Oil, No Fat, No Dairy, No Sugar, No Eggs, No Kidding". It is located the basement of a non-descript house. The bakery is brick with windows overlooking the Bantam River. It also makes some mighty fine deserts.
 

Bantam Bread Company 

HAIGHT VINEYARD

Litchfield, CT - In 1975 Haight Vineyard planted the first of the fine wine grapes in Connecticut, Chardonnay and Riesling. The vineyard has 25 acres of grapes and produces 6000 cases of wine. For the last 16 years the vineyard has hosted "A Taste of the Litchfield Hills".

Info from: www.haightvineyards.com
 

CONNECTICUT FIREFIGHTER’S MEMORIAL

Windsor Locks, CT - This is a monument memorializes the Connecticut firefighters that have lost their life in the line of duty. Surrounding the memorial are benches with the names of each county and in the middle is an eternal flame.
 

LION'S HEAD FOUNTAIN

Winsted, CT - This is a photo of a fountain surrounded by lions heads located on the green in Winsted, CT.
 

COLUMBIA MFG – BICYCLES AND SCHOOL FURNITURE

This is a photo I took of a painting on the wall of the Columbia office building that documents the history of the company.
 

Westfield, MA - The Columbia Mfg, company was founded in 1877 by Col. Albert Pope in Boston, MA. The manufacturing plant and office is located in Westfield, MA was opened in1897. In addition to bicycles they also manufacture school furniture.

Info from: www.columbiamfginc.com and www.columbiabikes.com
 

WORLDS FIRST CONDENSED MILK FACTORY

Burrville, CT - Gail Borden (1801 - 1874) patented a process of condensing milk in a vacuum and opened his first factory on this site in 1856. He tried and failed a few times but when the Civil War broke out there was a greater need for his condensed milk and his business became profitable.
 

SMALL CREATURES

Here a two small creatures that I have come across lately. This is a Crawfish I saw when sitting in a rock watching my doggies swim.
 

These are a few slugs taking advantage of the rain we were having that day.
 

LOURDES IN LITCHFIELD

Litchfield, CT - Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Litchfield, Connecticut was modeled after the actual Grotto in Lourdes France. It was built by Montfort Missionaries and opened in 1958. It was fitting that it opened in 1958 since that marked the Centenary of the Apparitions of the blessed Mother to Bernadette at Lourdes.
 

St. Michael Archangel
 

TAPPING REEVE HOUSE AND LAW SCHOOL

Litchfield, CT - This is the first law school in America. It was built by Tapping Reeve 1784, before that he taught out of his parlor in his house. Alumni include two vice-presidents, over 100 U.S. Congressman, Senators, Chief State Justices and Governors. His most notorious student was Aaron Burr who was his first student, also his brother in-law. The school closed in 1833.
 

This is inside the Law School
 

People seem to like these buildings so I am putting out another angle. I like this photo better but the other shows off the law school better. 

WINDMILL

Northfield, CT - Someone has built a full size working (it spins around) windmill. It makes a very picturesque view.