Monday, September 12, 2016

Vacation Fun!


Bill has this week off, since he worked straight for three weeks, he needed a break. So what to do, run him ragged driving me around to my adventures, lol. We started Saturday with hemming and hawing on what to do and finally decided to go to the beach for an ocean swim.

It was a bit cooler and the fog was rolling in but it was nice to get out for a bit, and the waves were picking up. Bill went out for a bit and played in the waves, then I went out and the waves got bigger. The area starts out shallow, then drops deep, then shallow again. I spent the time trying to get out the to second shallows while the waves kept pushing me back. I woke up sore today, it is definitely a good workout.



Sunday was the same thing, was tired from the beach but I wanted to get out so we decided to go to Jamestown for a stroll around the cliffs. It was a beautiful day and the tides were coming in and crashing on the rocks, a peaceful place to walk around and just enjoy the fresh ocean air.

Of course I had to find a hidden path that led to a rocky crevice and an island, so more climbing and exploring.



Today was our first planned day. We headed to Connecticut to visit a few places along the ocean. The first was Harkness State Park. We headed up a broad walk to the beach and enjoyed the views.


No swimming at this beach, so we strolled along the beach to the rocks at the point. The New London ferry was coming out of the Thames River to Long Island. A trip I took every summer to stay with my grandmother.


Above the point is the original home of the Harkness family, a Mansion with beautiful gardens. It is open to walk around, and they do tours of the inside of the home.


We walked around the area and found this fun tower. It is definitely worth a visit.


The next stop was a place I found last minute and had to take a look. It is Seaside Sanatorium that was built as a hospital for children with tuberculosis, then a nursing home and then an institution for the mentally ill and that is when it went downhill and they closed it down. They say it is haunted and now it is run down and the grounds are open as a park.


No swimming now but it is a beautiful area to walk around and Bean enjoyed being able to play a bit.


The next stop was our main stop, Rocky Neck State park. It is separated from the beach by a train track, so you go under the tunnel to get in from the parking lot. We walked outside the beach area to the picnic area and along the rocks.


We found a hidden cove with a beautiful sandy spot for Bean to play at. Wish I had bought our suits, it was warmer there and the water was nice, at least I got to cool down a bit. 


There is also a large pavillion so we walked up the rocks and along the porch. Of course I saw a sign on the other side that said, no dogs allowed in the pavilion, oops. Higher up above the picnic area and beautiful views of the Long Island Sound. 

We drove back through New London, saw a few lighthouses, the ferries going out and headed home. It was a long but fun day and the rest of my night has been busy catching up around the house, so no time to visit blogs, so hopefully I can catch up with all of you soon. Tomorrow is another day, who knows where we will end up;)


3 comments:

Sandi said...

What lovely congrats in the two days. Each lovely on its own. It is such a shame that something can't be done to improve that former hospital site. We have a similar set of buildings that housed people with mental health issues that was closed down many years ago causing a great strain on general hospital. Recently there has been talk about doing some revocations and obvious upgrades and reopen it.

I recall an old piano making factory that became a retail space in the St. Charles Illinois area many years ago. Sadly they closed it down and I think build something else.

It looks like Bean was living up to his name!

Rugs and Pugs said...

So many cool spots to explore in your area! Looks like you, hubby and Bean had a great time.
Hugs :)
Lauren

Allie-oops Designs said...

You two [three] really get around!! Someday when I make it to your neck of the woods you'll have to show me around, love all the places you visit. We have a haunted sanitarium here too - has tunnels underneath - my brother's been in them, but NOT ME. No thanks!