The Cement Tent Sacred Heart Church Vernon The church was demolished in 2019. "This is why I love writing CTMQ." I've written that phrase many times over the years and it usually turns up on pages about little-known museums that turn out to be fantastic... or on pages of totally random, happened-upon … [Read more...]
Hop River State Park Trail Intro
A Hop, Skip, and... a Bike Pump 20 Miles, Andover, Bolton, Columbia, Coventry, Manchester and Vernon For years this page existed to tell readers that I wouldn’t be completing the Hop River State Park Trail. Then my son got a bike and liked to ride it. Then I got a bike and I liked to ride it. Then I got a bike … [Read more...]
New England Jukebox and Collectibles (Closed)
A Real Juke Joint New England Jukebox and Collectibles Vernon This store closed in the fall of 2021 and reopened as Paul's Boutique Records, which no longer has jukeboxes or pinball machines, and therefore is no longer CTMQ-worthy. Longtime readers know by now that I have a rather loose definition of what a … [Read more...]
Gene Pitney “Museum”
I Call Him the Vernon Rocket Rockville/Vernon (Google Maps location) 2017 & 2023 CT museum visit #346. I promise I won't bore you (again) with a dissertation and dissection of the whole Vernon vs. Rockville thing. Of course... I could... but I won't. I'll admit that The Vernon Rocket doesn't have the same … [Read more...]
Walker’s Reservoir
Walking Walker’s Walk Walker's Reservoir, Vernon, 0.8 Mile December 4, 2016 You’ve all driven very near this little jaunt in Vernon. It’s right off of exit 67 on I-84 in Vernon. You’re all forgiven for not ever actually walking this trail though. Even if it is pretty nice. Perhaps the most interesting … [Read more...]
The War Memorial Tower on Fox Hill
I’ve Tried Sly... Time to Get Crazy... The War Memorial Tower on Fox Hill, Vernon Multiple Failed Visits I Did It! The first half of this page captures a decade worth of Fox Hill Frustration. Multiple visits only to find a locked door. But, as you've now gathered, Vernon's Parks and Recreation opened the tower up … [Read more...]
Hockanum Falls
When Milling About Rockville... Hockanum Falls, Vernon December 2016 Hockanum Falls are certainly not the prettiest and they are located behind dilapidated vacant mill buildings in the Rockville section of Vernon. Yet, they are cool in their own way. There are two sets of falls as the Hockanum River … [Read more...]
Vernon’s Town Trails
Vernon's Town Trails Although spliced by I-84, Vernon has a decent number of trails. Many are within earshot of the highway, but that shouldn't stop you. Of course, the CFPA's Shenipsit Trail traverses the town as well. And by town I mean Vernon, not Rockville. Rockville is great and all, but it's merely a part of … [Read more...]
CTMQ’s Guide to Vernon
Everything Vernon I’ve been exploring and writing about Connecticut since 2006. After a decade, I began compiling CTMQ guides for each town in the state. I plan on “completing” Vernon CTMQ-style... as well as the other 168 towns, cities, and boroughs in Connecticut. That is the ultimate goal of CTMQ. If I’ve … [Read more...]
Hockanum River Trail Intro
Hockanum River Watershed Association Hockanum River Trail East Hartford, Manchester, Vernon, Ellington HOCKANUM: From the Native American word "Hocquaun", meaning a hook-shaped or crooked river. I love the Hockanum Trail. There are no mountains or even hills. There are barely any rocks. The trail takes hikers … [Read more...]