Putnam Memorial State Park Bethel & Redding Is it me or do all of the state parks out in this part of the state cross town lines? This one is half in Redding and half in Bethel. It was the site of the Continental Army's 1779 winter encampment under the command of General Israel Putnam. The site consists of remains … [Read more...]
Collis P. Huntington State Park Intro
Collis P Huntington State Park Bethel, Newtown, Redding The most mystifying thing about Huntington State Park is how getting there feels like you are driving into the black hole of Connecticut. I have driven every backroad in the state and those around this park are some of the most vexing to be sure. This park is … [Read more...]
CTMQ’s Guide to Bethel
Everything Bethel I’ve been exploring and writing about Connecticut since 2006. After a decade, I began compiling CTMQ guides for each town in the state. I plan on “completing” Bethel CTMQ-style... as well as the other 168 towns, cities, and boroughs in Connecticut. That is the ultimate goal of CTMQ. If I’ve … [Read more...]
Broken Symmetry Gastro Brewery
Not a Clown Show Broken Symmetry Gastro Brewery, Bethel December 2018 In this time of wonderfulness on the Connecticut beer front, it seems like every town gets a brewery. I’m talkin’ Colebrook, Salem, Canaan… and Bethel. Now, Bethel does have a much more vibrant and fun “downtown” area than many people think. In … [Read more...]
Bethel Land Trust Intro
Bethel Land Trust Bethel Bethel is most famous for being the birthplace of one Mr. Phineas Taylor Barnum. And while I can’t pretend Bethel’s Land Trust trails are the greatest show on earth, they do seem to be pretty cool. Established in 1977, the Bethel Land Trust has many properties throughout the town. They … [Read more...]
Phillips Cave
I Wonder What Phillip Phillips Is Up To Phillips Cave, Bethel September 16, 2017 Phillips Cave is (of course) not a real cave and has nothing to do with the King Philip’s War from which, strangely, many cave-like things are named. No, this hollow in a cliffside in Bethel sits prominently in the Putnam … [Read more...]
TSTL’17.14: Putnam Memorial State Park
The Sky's the Limit 2017 Hiking Challenge #14 Putnam Memorial State Park, Redding/Bethel September 2017 Do you want to know something crazy? With this, our 14th and final Sky’s the Limit Challenge hike of 2017, Damian and I have now gone to ALL 42 TSTL challenge points over the last few years. Every. Single. … [Read more...]
TSTL’16.2: Collis P. Huntington State Park
The Sky's the Limit 2016 Hiking Challenge #2 Collis P. Huntington State Park, Redding, Bethel, Newtown February 27, 2016 Most The Sky's the Limit Challenge points allow those seeking them a few different trail choices in obtaining them. For instance, if I was doing this thing myself, I'd be fully exploring the … [Read more...]
Bethel’s Town Trails
Bethel’s Town Trails I actually have friends that live in Bethel. Yes, it’s true! (No, not the part of my actually having friends, but that I have friends that live in Bethel. Though, to be honest, I guess it is somewhat surprising I have actual friends. So good on you for making fun of me.) Bethel is small … [Read more...]
Pizza at Pizzeria Laurentano
From Napoli to Bethel 291 Greenwood Ave, Bethel 16 Bucks I think This restaurant closed in 2017. Nailed it. Finally. I think we tried to get pizza here twice before over the years, only to find it closed. (Note: this is still only about 10% as frustrating as trying get pies at Pepe’s or Sally’s in New … [Read more...]