Roots Rock Farmington River Park, Bloomfield & Windsor May 2020 I've written several times about the pockets of Bloomfield over on the western edge along the Metacomet Ridge. And for good reason! Several cool trails course up and down the hill over there. But there are other "hidden" spots in Bloomfield - … [Read more...]
M.K. Wilcox Park
No Dumping M.K. Wilcox Park, Bloomfield June 2020 I imagine hundreds, if not thousands, of people hike through MK Wilcox Park in Bloomfield every year and don't even know it. There they are, hiking north through Penwood State Park, taking in the panoramic views west and checking off abandoned chimneys along the … [Read more...]
Balbrae
Balbraeker Balbrae, Bloomfield What is this place? Honestly, it's nothing more than a reason for me to link to the fascinating story of Amelia Earhart's secret Connecticut wedding. And some other stuff. And it happens to be located mere minutes from where I live. But I'll start with another nearby mansion on … [Read more...]
Old Farm School Museum
Reserve Time For This One Bloomfield (Google Maps location) July 2018 Connecticut museum visit #398. Y'know... After nearly 400 museums and a fairly decent grasp of Connecticut's history, there's still plenty for me to learn. Sure, I was familiar with the old fanciful charter in which Connecticut claimed the … [Read more...]
Bloomfield Greenway
A Bloomin' Trail System Bloomfield/Simsbury Greenway May 2020 Another leg was completed in 2024 and now does go to Tariffville in Simsbury. I want to believe that this page is sort of a placeholder for now. For I want to think that in the future, this little 2-mile section of paved multi-use trail will merely … [Read more...]
Pepperidge Farm Factory Outlet Store
Nothing Fishy Here Pepperidge Farm Outlet Store Bloomfield I'm writing a page dedicated to this place because it's kind of my honey hole. I love it. For those of us who live in the area and especially if we have kids, it's a wonderful secret spot. Frequent readers of CTMQ know that I don't mind exposing secret … [Read more...]
Talcott Mountain State Park Intro
Talcott Mountain State Park Avon, Bloomfield, & Simsbury Ah, yes. My backyard. Almost literally. Nearly everyone in north central Connecticut can see Talcott Mountain's Heublein Tower on their daily commute if they try. It is the pillar that stands sentry over both the Farmington River and Connecticut River … [Read more...]
CTMQ’s Guide to Bloomfield
Everything Bloomfield Completed! I’ve been exploring and writing about Connecticut since 2006. I've created CTMQ guides for all 169 cities, towns, and boroughs in the state with the ultimate goal of “completing” them all CTMQ-style. If I’ve missed anything in town or if anything has closed or changed, please let … [Read more...]
Penwood State Park Intro
Penwood State Park Bloomfield & Simsbury Penwood is the sister state park to Talcott Mountain - both of which are very near my house. As such, I've spent more time in both than all other state parks combined. Probably. More people probably visit Talcott than Penwood for the tower up there, but Penwood certainly … [Read more...]
Griffin Cascades
Merritts a Quick Look Griffin Cascades/Merritt Preserve, Bloomfield May 2020 This is a Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy Property. You won't believe this - and you shouldn't believe this - but it took me maybe three trips to finally get these two pictures of the Griffin Cascades. Mostly because I never really … [Read more...]