Air Line... NOT "Airline!" 58.5 Miles, Portland, East Hampton, Colchester, Hebron, Columbia, Lebanon, Windham, Chaplin, Hampton, Pomfret, Putnam, Thompson My title above is for one Mr. Peter Marteka who is enamored with this particular trail to an unhealthy degree. Envisioned as a high speed passenger railroad … [Read more...]
CTMQ’s Guide to Portland
Everything Portland 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” Portland CTMQ-style... as well as the other 168 towns, cities, and boroughs in Connecticut. After all, that is the ultimate goal of … [Read more...]
Portland’s Town Trails Intro
Portland’s Town Trails I don’t know how many Portlands there are in America, but everyone is familiar with the big two in Maine and Oregon; two states known for fantastic hiking and backwoods experiences. Our own little Portland also has a lot of hiking and backwoods to experience. A huge swath of the town is … [Read more...]
Middlesex Land Trust Trails Intro
Middlesex Land Trust Trails Cromwell, Durham, East Hampton, Middlefield, Middletown, Portland and Haddam (Neck) Hoo boy. This one’s a doozy. No wonder I’ve put off putting this page together for years. While I completely understand that it is nigh impossible for little land trusts to keep and maintain a nice … [Read more...]
228. Ruth Callander House Museum of Portland History
The Callander Says April Fools, But I’m Not Kidding Around Portland (Google Maps location) April 1, 2012 This is it, folks. I'm done. There are just far too many town history museums in historic houses in Connecticut. I quit. Checks "Callander" visit date... April Fools! C'mon, now. With our … [Read more...]
Portland’s Brownstone Arch
Where Weather is the Arch Enemy Portland's Brownstone Arch May 18, 2011 Way back in 2011, I did a full CTMQ Day down the Connecticut River Valley. From Middletown to Old Saybrook, I hit several museums and other “stuff” for this website. Now, five years later, I’m going through those pictures and seeing some … [Read more...]
Hot Dogs at Top Dog
Top of Da Food Chain! In a parking lot in Portland Cost: a few bucks We have arrived at the very last and final hot dog on the Sterns' Roadfood "Eat Before it's too Late" list. There are sixteen hot dogs on the list. And that's absurd. Fortunately (unfortunately?), three of the places on the list were … [Read more...]
282. Connecticut Cellar Savers Fire Museum (RIP)
”Oh Fireman, There’s Somethin’ Smoking Hot On the Beach!” Portland (Google Maps location) November 29, 2014 2019 Update: This museum has closed. I’m the rare writer who starts pages with an aside. I'm pretty sure that makes me a bad writer, but don’t tell anyone. Anyway, if you live in Connecticut and have … [Read more...]
Arrigoni Winery
Don't They Know How Much People Hate the Arrigoni Bridge? Arrigoni Winery, Portland October 20, 2012 I forget exactly when I learned of Arrigoni, Connecticut's newest winery (as of late 2012), but I remember thinking, really? A winery in Portland? Hm. We have enjoyed plenty of wines from the Portland... … [Read more...]
Shenipsit Trail: Section 1
Section 1: What's all this Shenipsit? Gadpouch Road Terminus - Route 2 Crossing, 8.2 Miles May 5, 2009 It was high time I got going on the Shenipsit. While not one of the "big three" CFPA trails (Quinnipiac, Metacomet, Mattabesett), I've always felt it should be included in any discussion on Connecticut's long … [Read more...]