We were presented with a spectacular sky tonight as the daylight faded. I’m not sure I need to say much else.
Adventures with Aly
First, though
a bit of wrap-up from yesterday. When Rachel and I returned from hiking yesterday, we encountered Aly boating with Grandpa Bill in the peapod and Leah playing on the rocks with Grandma Jan, having a great time with their grandparents in Maine.
Edgar Tennis Preserve
About a ten-minute drive from downtown Stonington, the Edgar Tennis Preserve is another beautiful shore area maintained by the Island Heritage Trust. Rachel and I hiked there on a sunny Sunday afternoon, doing both the loops that travel along the water (about 3 miles total of easy hiking, with a few rock scrambles along the way). Similar to the quarry hike, there are few parking spots available, perhaps 7 total. The views throughout the walks are stunning – ocean views, tidal bay views, and mossy forests dotted with ferns.
Settlement Quarry
Worth a second look
On Sunday morning, we took Leah to Settlement Quarry, which is just a short drive from downtown Stonington. We’ve been by the quarry before on our way to various nautical experiences with Bill Baker at Old Quarry Ocean Adventures, but had not hiked through it previously. Part of the Island Heritage Trust, there are scant few parking places at the trailhead. It takes about ten minutes of uphill walking along a two-track trail to reach the top of the quarry, but the scenery while hiking along the trail is gorgeous forest. We also encountered an abandoned furnace near the summit.
Fog & Tide Pools
Saturday morning
arrived with what the folks around here call “ribbon fog” weaving around the islands in our view. It made for a picturesque view of the old lighthouse and some neighboring islands.
A sunny Stonington Friday
Getting here
Thursday was a long travel day. Ten minutes before we left our house, the sky opened up and it rained very hard the entire drive to GRR. We breezed through security, despite an old lady in front of us verbally assaulting the TSA guy because of some gel tube she had in her carry-on. First she claimed to not know about it, then she started yelling at him because it was so expensive. This was followed by another about face, where she first yelled this: “What are you talking about, I travel all the time and have never had this problem before!” As he started to respond, she returned back to her confused old lady tone and said “Well, how should I know that, I don’t travel very often.” I felt a momentary sadness for her granddaughter traveling companion, then resumed chuckling as we left the security area and headed to our gate.
Saugatuck Dunes State Park
A bonus visit
After a work outing in Saugatuck ended a bit early, I took advantage of the extra time by spending some time wandering through the north end of Saugatuck Dunes State Park, working my way to Lake Michigan and then walking along the water line back to the central path. It was a spectacular day in the mid-80’s, a slight breeze, and warm water. Over the course of 90 minutes walking the trails, I only passed a handful of people (and one dog).
Work team outing to Saugatuck
We started with lunch
What else would we start with? Unfortunately, we have no pictures of the wonderful lunch at The Mermaid restaurant in Saugatuck. I’m sure you’d all love to see Louis’ Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich w/Fries (or mine), Karla’s Shrimp Bowl, Amy’s salad, Janene’s veggie burger and whatever Steve and Jef ordered. So the committee apologizes for the lack for visual imagery regarding lunch consumption.
