Batz&*^% Crazy! Batz Property, Ellington April 2019 As you surely remember, I tried hiking the Batz Property previously - 20 minutes after I severely sprained my ankle while hiking the loop over at Swann Farm. It didn't go so well and I had to turn around and go home for some icing and elevating. In the few weeks … [Read more...]
Ernie Boothroyd & Bellante Preserves
Sitting and Finding Balance Boothroyd & Bellante Preserves, Northern CT Land Trust, Ellington May 2019 & December 2023 The original Boothroyd Preserve trail system here was expanded with the addition of the adjoining Bellante Preserve in 2019. Ernie Boothroyd Nature Preserve Balanced Rock Trail After … [Read more...]
Swann Farm
My Swann Song (For a Week or Two) Swann Farm, Northern Connecticut Land Trust, Ellington March 2019 Normally, I would write up a half-mile hike, hit publish, link it at the appropriate places, not really tell anyone, and call it a day. But this half-mile hike, which is certainly not a hike I'd recommend you drive … [Read more...]
Hockanum River Trail 23: Windemere Avenue
That's Some Kinda Bridge Hockanum River Trails: Windemere Avenue, Vernon & Ellington March 2019 If you are reading these Hockanum River Trails south to north you have already read... there's no single way to hike the Ellington trails, so I have no idea where you've come from. But you can go back to the Franklin … [Read more...]
Cold Creek Brewery & Tavern (Closed)
Cold Creek Brewery & Tavern Ellington Multiple 2015-2019 visits Cold Creek called it quits in June 2021, noting it had nothing to do with the pandemic. Many are still scratching their heads why they shut down the brewery and were in fact contracting out of Powder Hollow in Enfield for the year before … [Read more...]
Metcalf Nature Preserve
I Met a Calf Metcalf Nature Preserve, Ellington March 2019 Regarding my title above, I didn't actually meet a calf on this hike. But since it's in Ellington, you believed me, didn't you? Of course you did. Ellington is one of Connecticut's fastest growing towns which means there are new houses everywhere - … [Read more...]
Sunset Hill Trail
A Good Lesson on Winter Sun Angles Sunset Hill Trail, Northern CT Land Trust, Ellington March 2019 It has been another long winter here in Connecticut... not so much because of excessive snow or cold, but because my son Calvin is seven and has a very full social calendar. Fuller than mine has ever been in my life. … [Read more...]
The Ellington Panhandle
Just a Quirk of Geography Ellington There are two towns in Connecticut that border eight other Connecticut towns where land touches land: Washington and Ellington. Another town that borders eight is Shelton, though several of its border towns are across the Housatonic River. The king of Connecticut town border … [Read more...]
Hockanum River Trail 22: Franklin Street
Goose Steppin' Hockanum River Trail: Franklin Street Trail, Vernon & Ellington ~.75 mile one way, March 2019 If you are reading these Hockanum River Trails south to north you have already read... there's no single way to hike the Ellington trails, so I have no idea where you've come from. But you can go back to … [Read more...]
CTMQ’s Guide to Ellington
Everything Ellington 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” Ellington CTMQ-style... as well as the other 168 towns, cities, and boroughs in Connecticut. That is the ultimate goal of CTMQ. If … [Read more...]