Late Fall in Somers Somersville Mill Trail, Enfield & Somers November 2023 My wife has asked me on occasion if I remember every trail I hike for this website. For years, I'd confidently answer "yes." In fact, my hubris was so great that I would claim that I'd know on which trail any given picture was taken. … [Read more...]
Skyline Scenic Area
Long Skyline Drive Northern Connecticut Land Trust: Skyline Scenic Area Trails, Somers September 2023 I was pretty jazzed for this 1.5 mile loop hike up on the Massachusetts border in Somers. It promised a three-state view, some challenging granite scrambles, and Mystery Pits. That's right, Mystery Pits! … [Read more...]
Somers’ Mystery Pits
A True Mystery Mystery Pits, Somers September 2023 I have my rules. As the sole writer and traveler for this website, I have my rules. My rules on what makes the cut to get a page on the site and what doesn't. The Mystery Pits of Somers make the cut. Even though the Mystery Pits of Somers are... non-existent? … [Read more...]
Camp Aya-Po
Ay! Yo! Wine! Pow! Camp Aya-Po, Somers August 2023 There are four trails at Camp Aya-Po, which is no longer a camp. But it was a camp for a long time - and not even a scout camp, but a YWCA camp. Camp Aya-Po was founded in 1922 and opened in 1927, and closed after the summer of 2008. There was a period of … [Read more...]
Worthington Vineyards Nature Trails
Like Hike Hike? Sike. Worthington Vineyard Nature Trails, Somers August 2023 This place is a lovely place to stroll around when the weather is nice and the flowers are in bloom. In fact, it's one of the best places. However, if you want to actually hike, like hike hike, this is not the place to do it. While there … [Read more...]
Worthington Vineyards & Winery
Worth the Trip Worthington Vineyards & Winery, Somers August 2023 I'm old enough to remember when the large majority of Connecticut wineries were tiny hardscrabble operations in modestly attractive environs. There was nothing like Worthington 20 years ago. This place is stunning. It's so nice, in fact, that it … [Read more...]
Sonny’s Place Carousel
Not Garbage at All Sonny's Place Carousel, Somers June 2023 I just spent way too long learning about the Antonacci family that owns Sonny's Place in Somers. I've heard the rumors... rumors that will always chase families with names like "Antonacci" who happen to be very successful in the sanitation and horse … [Read more...]
Book Review: Loop Year
I'm Loopy Loop Year, John Sheirer (2008) You'd think I'd really like this book. Heck, you'd think I'd love it. I thought I'd love it. I really wanted to love it. I can say I love the idea of it. Any longtime CTMQ reader (or personal acquaintance) will nod along when I say that the book is a daily chronicle … [Read more...]
Worthington Pond Farm Covered Bridge
A Totally Worthington Bridge Worthington Pond Farm Covered Bridge, Somers December 2016 A few years before I first visited this rather large and pretty covered bridge, Worthington Farm was... a turkey farm. But at some point in the 21st century, real estate guy Dan Roulier bought and developed the property into a … [Read more...]
Shenipsit State Forest Intro
Shenipsit State Forest Ellington, Somers, and Stafford Shenipsit State Forest began in 1927 with the purchase of land at the summit of Soapstone Mountain in Somers to erect a fire tower to keep a lookout over the forests of the eastern woodlands. Over time, additional acreage was purchased to form the sprawling … [Read more...]