Hozier is the Worst Church Farm Preserve, Ashford & Mansfield April 2017 This is a Joshua's Trust property. About that title just above... Sorry. I can’t help it. Hozier’s “Take Me to Church” is just awful. I hate that song with a seething passion. How in the world did that dirge become so popular? … [Read more...]
Josias Byles Sanctuary
The Outlaw Josias Byles Josias Byles Sanctuary April 2017 This is a Joshua's Trust property. Back before Clint Eastwood became a bumbling loon, he made some pretty great movies. One that often gets lost in the mix is The Outlaw Josey Wales.” It’s so good. The Josias Byles Sanctuary is pretty good too, … [Read more...]
Fliegel Farm Woods
Blow Your Fliegel Horn Fliegel Farm Woods, Ashford April 2017 This is a Joshua's Trust property. The following page is entirely unfair. I’m sure this is a lovely little trail in late May through July. Before the ferns unfurl? Not so much. Part of the allure of these little trailed properties all over … [Read more...]
Iron Mine Valley
I’ll Preserve What’s Iron Mine Iron Mine Valley Preserve April 2017 This is a Joshua's Trust property. Joshua’s Trust has seven trailed properties in Ashford. They do a great job not only in this town, but across all the towns in which they manage properties. Iron Mine Valley was the first of several … [Read more...]
Ashford Memorial Park
Thanks for the Memories Ashford Memorial Park, Ashford April 2017 Finding this place is half the battle. Tiny little one way roads, neighborhoods, seasonal openings... but find it I did and a-hikin’ we go. Ashford’s Memorial Park is really nice. The soccer field is pristine. The playground looks fun for … [Read more...]
Natchaug Trail: Section 1
Section 1: NatCHUGGING Along 8.9 miles, Ashford & Eastford March 2017 Alright brain, get your stuff together. You’ve got to come to grips with this thing. No, not the fact that I would be hiking at dawn on one of the coldest mornings of the 2016-17 winter. No, not the fact that in order to reach the … [Read more...]
Natchaug Trail Intro
Natchaug Trail Ashford - Hampton, 19 miles March 2017 - July 2017 Ashford. Eastford. Chaplin. Hampton. Chances are, you can’t pinpoint these four Connecticut towns on a map. But don’t despair! When it comes to hiking through the wilds of Connecticut, I consider this a good thing. In fact, The Natchaug … [Read more...]
Russian-Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Union
Russian-Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Union Ashford This is one of those posts that very few will read and many more will question why it even exists. I’m in the the “many more” group. I think we can all agree that I can’t chase down every superlative and “first” and “only” in Connecticut. Hypothetically, the … [Read more...]
Tinkerville Brook Preserve
He Prefers LEGO to Tinker Toys, But... Tinkerville Brook January 2017 This is a Joshua's Trust property. I’m not sure what I was thinking, shuffling my five-year-old into the car for the trip out to Ashford to do some short hikes within some Joshua’s Trust properties. There was barely any snow on the ground in … [Read more...]
Lucas Douglass’s Grave
The Extra ‘s’ Makes it More Special. Or Funnier. Lucas Douglass’s Monument to Himself December 2016 Avid CTMQ readers know that I’m not a cemetery guy. But you also know that there are several interesting cemeteries around the state. And within some of them, there are uniquely fascinating stories. Like the … [Read more...]