THE CONSTITUTION OAK

 
Simsbury, CT – This tree was planted in commemoration of the Connecticut Constitutional Convention of 1901 by Simsbury Delegate Joseph L. Bartlett. 

GALES FERRY BUS STOP

 
Gales Ferry, CT - Here is a stone bus stop in the little town of Gales Ferry. It is built into the stone wall along the cemetery. 

USS X-1 SUBMARINE

 
The USS X-1 was the first midget submarine built for the US Navy. It was designed to penetrate enemy harbors and conduct offensive operations, her principal armament was swimmer delivered limpet mines. The sub was first put in service in 1955. It was first designed to be diesel-battery craft by the Portsmouth Navel Shipyard. Later the design was turned over to Fairchild Engine and Aircraft Corp. There the boat was constructed with a partial closed cycle diesel propulsion system using Hydrogen Peroxide for submerged operations. After an explosion in the Hydrogen Peroxide cell in 1957, the Peroxide system was removed. The boat returned to service and completed her useful life as a Diesel-electric sub conducting oceanographic research for the Navel Research Laboratory. 

LITTLE FARM CHRISTMAS COOKIES

 
We have friends that live on a little farm hence the name, “The Little Farm”. Every year just before Thanksgiving the stoves are fired up in the test kitchen to decide what will be in this year’s cookies. The cookies selected are kept top secret until they are packaged and delivered. This year’s batch consisted of 11 different varieties and if my math is correct, 150 dozen cookies were packaged; not including “rejects” that were eaten. Every year a different label is put on the box, each one a collector’s edition. All done round the Christmas rush when they are very busy, as they would say, “Juggling Cats”. 

 
In the box is a map to explain a little about each cookie. Click on the map and then click on that little button that appears on the lower right hand corner to expand the photo to see what it says. It makes for a very interesting read. 

CUPOLA

 
This is a photo of the cupola on a friends barn. It's another of those, "That looks interesting, I wonder how it will look as a photo?" 

THE CAMBRIDGE HOUSE BREWPUB

 
Granby, CT – The Cambridge House is a brewpub the just recently opened in Granby, CT. Its Brewmaster is Steven Schmidt, has won multiple awards in the Great American Beer Festival and The Great International Beer Festival. This year Copper Hill Kolsch won a Gold Metal in both festivals and the Abijah Rowe India Pale Ale won Gold in the International Festival. So if you are ever in the area stop by for at award winning brew and tell them you heard about it here. 

 
Here are a few patrons enjoying some of that delicious brew. 

OH LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM

 
Bethlehem, CT - On Christmas eve where did I go? None other than the Little Town of Bethlehem, where else? This is the Nativity Scene on the Green. 

 
House on the Bethlehem Green. 

 
The Christmas town Christmas Tree. 

THE PINCHOT SYCAMORE

 
Simsbury, CT - You probably asked yourself, “Self, I wonder what is the largest tree in Connecticut?” Well let me tell you, it is the Pinchot Sycamore; the circumference is 23 feet 7 inches and that was in 1978. The tree was named for Gifford Pinchot, co-founder of the Yale School of Forestry, first chief of the US Forestry Service and Conservation adviser to Teddy Roosevelt. Mr. Pinchot lived from 1865 – 1946 

 
The Pinchot Sycamore 

OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS...

 
This is the Christmas Shop in the Mill Pond Village in Granby, CT. Doesn't it look like you have to take a sleigh to get there? Over the river and through the wood to the Christmas shop we go... 

GALES'S FERRY FERRY

 
Gales Ferry, CT – This is from a sign in front of the “Gales Ferry” that explains how it became and how it got its name.

“In 1740 by act of the General Assembly a ferry was established across the great river of the Pequots from the foot of John Comstocks’ field on the West to this lane in Ralph Stoddard Jr’s field near where John Hurlbert kept his boat. These three were named Ferry Men. A ferry house was built followed by a store and a post office on what became the upper dock. The ferry became known as Gale’s Ferry from Roger Gale who owned the ferry from 1759 to 1764.” 

 
This is a view of the building from the other direction. 

FIRST BALLISTIC MISSILE SUBMARINE

 
This is the USS George Washington, at least part of it at the Submarine Force Library and Museum in Groton, CT; it was the first ballistic missile submarine. It was in service from 1959 – 1985. You can see a ballistic missile in the background. 

 
This is replica of a ballistic missile, or a real one without the bang, the kind that would have been launched from the USS George Washington. 

SUBMARINE ON THE THAMES

 
Groton, CT - While on my "roadtrip" I went to Groton along the Thames (rhymes with James) River. I went near the submarine base but did not take any photos. After 9/11 the Navy gets a little touchy about that. I wanted to take a photo of the gun ship patroling in front of the base but I thought best of that too. BUT, while driving up the road some I did see this submarine being guided back to the base by a tugboat. A ways back from the sub was a coast guard cutter which I suppose was protecting the sub also. Sorry about the tree, I had to take the photo quickly. 

YALE CREW - GALES FERRY

 
Gales Ferry, CT – I took a road trip today; OK my wife and I went to the casino and from there I went out to take photos while my wife stayed and gambled….happy now. From there I headed south and ended up in Gales Ferry. While there I noticed this on the road (see photo above). I was wondered why this was there, maybe an over zealous alumni? Well, I Googled it and found out that the Yale crew has been coming to Gales Ferry for over a hundred years to practice for the annual four mile rowing race against Harvard. This event is the oldest intercollegiate sporting event in the United States. Next time I am in the area for a “road trip” I hope to take more photos concerning Yale’s Crew Tea 

SUN AFTER THE RAIN

 
Yesterday we had the typical mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain. But today the sun is out. The powdery snow that we once had is now a solid block of ice. It is so hard now that it can even hold up my weight...and it is considerable. It is good for sledding though. Get out the old "Flexible Flyer" and fly like the wind down those hills! 

WAITING FOR HER MASTER

 
This is one or our dogs, Sophie. The window is at floor level so she will lay in the window waiting for us to come home. She also thinks it is a great place to bark at people and dogs walking by. 

NO TOBACCO 'TILL SUMMER

 
This is a photo of a snow covered tobacco field in Windsor,CT. The poles hold up the cloth to shade the tobacco from the sun. 

NIGHT TIME SOLDIER

 
Granby, CT - I pass this statue on my back and forth to work. At night is is lit up with a colored light. I think it makes quite the striking sight. So, last night I finally stopped and took some photos. 

ROCKY SNOW

 
I like the way the snow looks covering the rocks. 

CRASHES TO CRASHES - RUST TO RUST

 
This truck has seen better days and now resides in a heap of junk. The lettering on the doors says it once belonged to the U.S. Navy, I just wonder what kind of adventures happened in this truck? 

CRYSTAL BRANCHES

 
Yesterday morning the trees had these crystals on them. The branches turned white from the usual brown. I stopped and took a few photos near a pond.

When there is more than one photo that I am considering posting I will sometimes ask my wife. Unfortuately, if I am leaning towards one photo she always picks the other. So, this is my choice. Go to next photo... 

 
This is my wife's pick. Both good but different. 

Granville / Tolland Lion's Club - Pancake Breakfast - View from the kitchen

 
Here are two of your servers just waiting to serve up some delicious pancakes, sausage, and bacon; all for a good cause. Don't forget, REAL maple syrup! 

 
Embarrassing hats. Now wouldn't you like to have your picture on the internet with this hat? 

 
We take flipping pancakes seriously; one of the chefs at the grill. 

 
View from the kitchen to the right side of the crowd. It was a stellar attendance, I know from all the dishes I washed! 

 
It's not over until the dishes are done, "As Brad said, I don't have to do this again for five years. Next year I'm doing something else". 

HARD CHAIR TURNED SOFT

 
This Adirondak chair(we still have not brought it in) looks like it is upholstered with snow. Doesn't it look nice and fluffy? I took this during the storm we had today which dropped about a foot of snow. 

CHRISTMAS TREES WAITING

 
I took this photo a few days ago while going to work. It is a field of Christmas trees, some that will succumb to the saw in the next few weeks. It looked very peaceful and quiet.
I pulled my car over to the side of the road and opened the window to take the photo. A elderly gentleman pulled in front of me and got out of his car just to see if I needed help. I just told him no and thanked him for stopping. Such is the way in a small town. 

LONELY TRACKS

 
I saw this section of railroad tracks a few days ago and I just had to take a photo of it. So, I stopped my car in the middle of the tracks,(I looked for trains first) and took a quick photo down the tracks. It's unusual to find a straight section of track around these parts. 

RAY NESTROVICH SR.

 
Granville, MA – This is Ray Nestrovich of Nestrovich’s Orchard. I stopped by to buy some apples and asked him if I could take his photo. He laughed and said, “Everyone want to take my photo”. He then showed me around the store where all the pictures and paintings of him were displayed. He even showed me an envelope that arrived that day with some photos in it. I guess he just has one of those faces. In this photo I tried to show some of the paintings and photos of him and his wife, who had recently passed away.

A local weekly paper asked Ray to write an article of his life. I did read it but unfortunately it got recycled. One interesting fact was about his father. His father was going to immigrate to the U.S. by ship. Well, I guess he spent a little too much time in the pub because he missed the ship and had to take the next one. It was a good thing because the ship he was to take was the Titanic. 

GOT MILK ? CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

 
Southwick, MA - Here is something you don't see everyday, GOT MILK? Christmas Lights. It is hard to tell from the photo but these are about fifty feet long on top of a barn. The barn was way off the road and I had to use my telephoto lense through the trees. It is not the best quality but you get the idea. I saw these last year and noticed that they were left up all year, but not lit. So I had to go back and see if they were going to be lit this year. 

GRANVILLE GENERAL STORE AT NIGHT

 
I was out last night taking a few night shots and decided to take a shot of the general store. I think that it gives it an all together different look. I have it as my desktop background and it is kind of cool when I turn the monitor on and it looks like the lights are turning on. I know simple things for simple minds. I get my fun where ever I can. 

SANTA'S MAIL

 
I saw this mailbox in the post office today. Now I know how Santa get's his mail. You put it in this little mailbox and it is carried by elves directly to the North Pole. I wonder if it needs a stamp? Are elves union carriers? 

TRAIN STATION TURNED OFFICE

 
Granby,CT - This is a photo of what looks like was once a train station that has now been turned into and office. What a great place to work or live in! 

EVERGREEN FERN

 
I saw this fern sticking out of the snow a few days ago. I remember taking photos of these kind of ferns early in the year and I remember thinking that it was odd that they were out and green before the fiddleheads appeared. Now I see the same green ferns sticking out of the snow. So, I figured they must be evergreen ferns. I never thought much about it but there are many ferns that are green all year round. I did a Google search and found quite a few. You learn something every day!

By the way, the weather has been warmer and the snow has melted; until this weekend when we are due for more. 

MR. SQUIRREL

 
I took this photo from my window at work. I work in the basement and have windows that are at ground level so it is easier to get close shots of the squirrels. There are 5 or 6 squirrels that are scurrying around looking for nuts.