For the second weekend in a row, central CT was gifted with unseasonably mild weather. Since we don't often see temperatures that begin with fives (or even fours) in January, once again it was time to get out and get the stink off!
A few years ago a friend and I got into the habit of taking off season Sunday afternoon trips to the beach for a sunset hike and dinner at a local restaurant. I dubbed the excursions Beach Walk Sunday. Eventually as it often tends to do, life got in the way and the visits fell by the wayside.
Last Sunday when the thermometer hit 50, I decided it was time to clear the schedule of mundane tasks and resurrect the beach trips. So we jumped in the car and headed to Hammonasset State Park in Madison.
 |
| Nature's garden |
Due to a late start we didn't get down to the shore until four in the afternoon, half an hour before the park closed. Sunset was at 4:45 so I knew we'd have at least an hour before park rangers came around with bull horns to chase us out. If we didn't dilly dally that would be plenty of time to grab a few pictures and take a quick hike.
Conditions were overcast and foggy. Not the greatest day for picture taking but I gave it my best shot. The ocean was incredibly calm and uncharacteristically silent.
Because I'm not a fan of mob scenes I've never been to Hammonasset in the summer. From what I've heard and occasionally seen on the news I don't appear to be missing anything. Most of the CT shoreline is privately owned so people seeking a beach experience have few options. I'll gladly take the sunset walks in the off season and pass on the traffic jams, even if it means passing on the cheeseburgers, hot dogs and ice cream.
 |
| No food today |
 |
| My definition of a crowded beach |
No sunset to enjoy this trip. Below is a picture I took at Hammonasset a couple of years ago. I never get tired of watching sunsets over the ocean. One of the rituals I have at the beach house I rent every summer is to plant my butt on a lounge chair in the sand every night with a glass of wine and watch the sun set.
From the beach we made a bee line to Bill's Seafood in Westbrook. Bill's is a shoreline institution of part clam shack, part sports bar and part Irish Pub. During NFL playoff season, especially when the New England Patriots are Super Bowl contenders, Bill's is definitely a sports bar.
At this time of the year I enjoy Bill's for the same reason I enjoy the beach. Last Sunday it was relatively quiet-busy but not crazy. In warmer weather, I prefer sitting on the outdoor deck overlooking a tidal river, but in January a table by the window in the bar works just fine.
As far as the food goes, it's nothing fancy but it's good and the fish is fresh. When I'm in the mood to throw caution to the wind, I go with something fried. On this visit I chose the blackened swordfish special with wild rice and string beans. Comfort food extraordinaire.
After another weekend in the 40s we're supposedly heading into the first extended deep freeze of the winter next week with daytime highs in the teens and nightime lows in the single digits. One more opportunity to get out and get the stink off before hunkering down. Where should I go?
A few months ago, Jack at Hartford Daily Photo asked me to do some occasional guest photography for him while he winters in Florida. On Wednesday, Jack used one of my photos from this trip on his blog HERE. Thanks Jack!
Stay warm!
Sue~
As I freeze here in the frigid north your post soothes me Sue! Lovely. I like the crowded beach with dog walkers! The dinner ain't bad either!
ReplyDeleteSometimes you have to force yourself to clear the schedule for optional activities. Like me, my friend works full time, keeps a regular workout schedule and maintains a house inside and out so sometimes she needs a nudge. Beach walk Sunday is definitely worth the effort.
DeleteGreat post Sue, I personally never go to the beach in the summers but go often to bird in the winters. Love the beach in winter. It's gorgeous. That dinner looks great. I should have some swordfish tonight.
ReplyDeleteI for a fact that you go to the beach at least once in the summer :).
Delete"know" for a fact. How do you edit these comments after the fact?
DeleteSo glad you got your beach and seafood fix! Your pictures, as usual, are amazing. And you've still got me hankering for a Bill's Seafood fix of my own.
ReplyDeleteNow is the time to head to Bill's and Sunday evenings are a great time to go.
DeleteLooks like a very lovely afternoon and evening. I love the coast in the fall and winter. We spend a week there every summer but I like it more when it's quiet and uncrowded. Beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteI rent a cottage on the beach for a week every summer located in a private association. Even though my cottage is waterfront, I often sit on the small association beach right next door which is usually deserted even in August.
DeleteVery nice photos, Sue! Looks like it was a beautiful quiet day. We have been having similar weather here in western PA.... it was 47 last night and the wind blew and blew until it is 34 this morning with 8 degrees on the way and 2 inches of snow forecast for today. Time to cuddle down for a bit.
ReplyDelete~Julie
It's 50 here today Julie but the wind is gusting and rumor has it that it will be over a week before we crawl above freezing again. Time to cuddle down for sure.
DeleteThanks for the use of your photo. Your public wants to know where you went today. I went to the family room to watch football.
ReplyDeleteThe new banner photo looks good, too. I like all of the blue, especially the cobalt blue planters.
Just one big snooze fest around here this weekend Jack. Nothing remotely blog worthy. I just got home from a long walk around town. When I started walking it was 50 and a little over an hour later it had gone to 42. Gale force winds were blowing off the Cove. The whole walk was breezy and that made it feel much colder.
DeleteGo PATS!