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Showing posts from 2016

An Almost Forgotten Place

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Hi Everyone! A long time ago at The Southbury Training School, a facility that houses individuals with intellectual disabilities, once owned and operated a thriving dairy farm in the towns of Southbury and Roxbury that began in the early 1940s when the school initially opened. Governor Malloy has since conveyed 800 acres of the land to the Department of Agriculture protecting the land for agricultural use.  Today, a small portion of the land still remains with the Southbury Training School as the school continues to operate a Christmas tree and chicken farm. Although the farm is abandoned, it still gives a beautiful, scenic view along with crisp, clean air and a nice old fashioned country feel to it. It doesn't feel like a farm that has been shut down but a farm that was simply abandoned one day.  Farm equipment and old trucks still remain. What appears as a cattle house is still standing.  It's a bit overgrown but still in decent shape and could be used aga

The Pump House

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Hi Everyone! I happened to come across the above building by accident while out running errands.  What caught my attention is that it sits in the middle of a field, overgrown with weeds and brush, and has cathedral windows.  Sometimes the beauty of a building speaks to me and I can see so much more than just an old, abandoned building. That was the case with this one. It turns out that its an old pump house, a building used to house and keep from freezing parts of the water system that aren't in a well.  Pump houses were very common in the days before electricity and typically held the pressure tank and switch.  This pump house may date as far back as the late 1800's when Peck, Stowe & Wilcox Company, a manufacturer of mechanical tools, first owned the property in 1870.  Since then the property has been owned by Southington Manufacturing Company and as of late, Ideal Forging.  Ideal Forging was the last tenant and was recently demolished this year leaving just t

The Stunning Yantic Falls

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Hi Everyone, I want to share with you a place that I had the pleasure of visiting this weekend.  It was much more than I anticipated.  Yantic Falls, otherwise known as Indian Leap, is absolutely breathtaking.  This is absolutely the definition of what a "hidden gem" really is.  I cannot believe I haven't been here sooner! I took my mom with me on this particular excursion and I think at this point she is convinced I'm out of my mind, lol.  Judging by the look on her face, I seriously doubt she enjoyed me teetering on a ledge to get "that shot".  You have to understand, when I get in "my zone" I'm unstoppable, lol. This waterfall is breathtaking, to say the least.  There is bridge with railroad tracks that runs right above it.  I'm not certain as to whether or not a train still comes through but the whole scene is beautiful.  Just imagine being on a train looking down  at this waterfall....what a scene! Something else I find very i

Indian Rock Nature Preserve

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Hi Everyone! For all of you nature lovers out there you must visit the beautiful Indian Rock Nature Preserve in Bristol, CT.  Indian Rock is Environmental Learning Center of Connecticut's environmental learning facility made up of 280 acres that includes a lake, stream and miles of trails.  Many school programs are taught at this facility and is also where the Indian Summer Camp is held.  The facility is open for scheduled group and programs only and does not have public open hours. The preserve used to be a spot for the Fuller Barnes family to spend their vacations.  I had the pleasure of speaking with one of the family members who shared some wonderful memories with me that she had from when she was a young girl.  I can tell you she had a beautiful childhood.  For example, she remembered ice skating on the lake with friends and then returning to the house by the lake to warm up and have hot chocolate. This preserve has so much to offer.  Not only is the staff great, the cam

Devil's Hopyard

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Hi Everyone! Yesterday I spent the afternoon at Devil's Hopyard State Park located in East Haddam, Connecticut.....what a beautiful place!  The park is free to get into and has plenty of parking.  There are also many picnic tables to hold family gatherings and a camp site that is open mid-April til September 30.  The campground holds 21 sites. Points of interest in the park are the covered bridge, Chapman Falls and the Devil's Oven.  I love to photograph covered bridges....they are beautiful structures. This covered bridge was built in 1986 and is 36 feet long.  The bridge crosses over Eight Mile River, which is well known for its brook trout. The inside of the bridge..........  There is some graffiti but I think its adds some life to the bridge To the left is a spot I caught on my way up to the Falls.  I thought it was pretty cool because it looks like a mini waterfall. Chapman Falls is quite stunning and drops more than 60 feet over a series

Beautiful Glastonbury

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Hi Everyone! Can you believe this weather?  Frigid, below temps one minute then a quick warm up and back to the cold again.  Its not as bad as it was this past weekend but cold nonetheless.  Hopefully, Spring is just around the corner. I've been out exploring again and this time ended up in the Town of Glastonbury.  I grew up there but its been awhile since I've been out exploring the area.  One of my favorite spots is down at the Ferry Landing, the nation's oldest operating ferry service that crosses the Connecticut River between Glastonbury and Rocky Hill. The ferry doesn't operate in the winter months but I still come down here from time to time just to enjoy the scenery.  There are benches and picnic tables for anyone to come down and relax, read a book or have lunch.  This view is from the Glastonbury side looking over into Rocky Hill.  In the warmer months you are able to walk out on the landing to the right of the piers and sit.  You can see a piece of th

The Wonders of Social Media

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Hi Everyone, I'm sure most of you are on one or more of the social media sites, its kind of hard not to be these days.   Social media has pretty much taken over.  I enjoy social media and use different sites for different purposes. Let's start with the beginning, Facebook.....Facebook is a great tool keep in touch with family and friends near and far.  Its also a good tool to use in terms of showcasing any interests that you may have, along with creating new friendships via the many, many groups that are on there.  I have gotten to know many talented photographers on Facebook through groups that I've elected to join.  You have the option of creating your very own personal page or creating a Business Fan Page.  There is also the capability of linking the two pages or linking the two but having two very different audiences depending on what settings you create with respect to who you allow access to.  The really cool part about Facebook is that you can also personally cha

This Thing Called Life....

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HI Everyone, I know, I know its been awhile. My apologies...I could give a million excuses but the truth of the matter is I lost sight of my passion.  I've experienced many changes, both personal and professional, in the last year....some very good and some not so good.  My original plan for myself has changed.  I have missed shooting and writing.  Its a part of me and I realize that not doing either one just doesn't feel right so here I am....to stay. I started out on this journey not really knowing what direction I was headed in.  I know I have a flair for writing and I love to take pictures.  My head is constantly thinking and creating, however, I let things in everyday life get in the way of what I want to do...what I NEED to do. I'll never be a wedding or portrait photographer.....never, ever.  I just don't have it in me to do posed shots.....I find no excitement there.  I don't knock other photographers, that is their passion and some are extremely good