Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Leaf Peeping in Connecticut



Autumn of 2010 in New York has been warm, but stormy, and it appears the fall foliage will be less than spectacular this year as many trees have already lost their leaves.  So this past weekend my husband and I decided to take a two hour drive up north to Connecticut to see if this New England state would satisfy our urge for autumn leaf peeping.


There was definitely much more autumn color, but even here many of the tress had lost their leaves from the nor'easter storm that had recently passed through.


There were trees in shades yellows and oranges, but not many were this brilliant shade of red.


Non-the-less, the scenery was beautiful!


We drove up to West Cornwall so that we could drive over their historic one lane red colored covered bridge.


Built in 1864, the West Cornwall Bridge is 172 feet long and spans the Housatonic River




After we drove over the bridge I walked back inside it to take these views from a few of the windows.


The Housatonic River as seen from a covered bridge window, facing west.


The Housatonic River, taken from a covered bridge window, facing east


In 1973 the Connecticut Department of Transportation rehabilitated the bridge by inserting a concealed steel deck to support the weight of traffic.The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. 


We sat by the river for awhile, enjoying the peaceful view.


We then walked through part of the charming town of West Cornwall.


There we saw that in this quaint toll house overlooking the Housatonic River, Ian Ingersoll makes reproductions of Shaker furniture.


A pretty residential home whose front garden's pink roses were still blooming!


Across the street, these attached houses were a pretty shade of pink!


Todd Piker's Cornwall Bridge Pottery Store, is 5000 square feet and covers two floors.  It showcases an ever-changing exhibitions of functional hand-thrown, wood-fired pottery that Piker has been crafting for over 35 years.


There was a farmers market going on in the town square with a wonderful array of fresh vegetables and...


.....a large selection of colorful gourds and squash and......


...delicious home baked goods!

We were tempted to buy that last whoopie pie on the pink dish, but instead bought a large oatmeal cookie to share, as we are trying to be diet conscious.


One of my favorite sights in the town was this colorful sculpture of a rooster standing amid the pink rose bush.  He's made from an old red Mobil Oil drum! I thought he had a lot of personality! What do you think?


I have more photos from our get away that I'll show next time, but for today I'm linking to Susan's Outdoor Wednesday, Sue's Rednesday, Cathy's Adventure Tour Express,  Sandi's Friday Favorites Linky Party, and Beverly's Pink Saturday. Please visit all the blogs to join in the fun!




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86 comments:

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Yes, indeed, that rooster has personality! :-)

Pat, it may not be as colorful as a typical New England fall, but to this Floridian, it is just glorious! And I love the bridge and the adorable houses in that town!

How you could have resisted all of those goodies is beyond me, but I'm glad you did have a cookie. Boy, did those look good!

Thank you for sharing this trip with us. I always have such a good time when I visit you!

XO,

Sheila :-)

~Cheryl said...

Oh, my, goodness. I loved every pixel of this post! I think the trees are vibrant -- even the leaf-less ones are outstanding. The covered bridge ... oh, how fabulous! The rooster is a riot. What a wonderful trip!

Michelle said...

You take the best trips! The fall colors were glorious. Our trees are just starting to turn a few colors. Nothing like this though. I totally need that rooster here on my farmette.

Susie Q said...

Oh Pat! This is just glorious!

Our colors have not been as pretty either but yours are still much more vivid than what I have seen here this year! I remember our Falls in New England so well and with much affection!

This was my kind of trip and I thank you for taking us along for the ride! Your photos are truly beautiful!

Love,
Sue

Vintagesouthernlife said...

Beautiful pictures!The colors are just gorgeous.

RoeH said...

I want that rooster! I'm wishing I'd gone back there this October to DC. I've done that 2 or 3 times hoping I'd see all those colors but have missed it by a hair all those times. So beautiful. Last year I was too early. One year too late. Rats! I'll just tag along with you this year. Nowhere prettier than the eastern states in Autumn.

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Oh how beautiful!!! The trees are just gorgeous!! And the covered bridge!! Thank you for sharing! Cathy

Lisa@GrandmasBriefs said...

I agree with Magpie that although it may not have been the height of color for you, it's stupendously spectacular to folks who lack such foliage. These are lovely. And that rooster is a hoot!

GailO said...

Last weekend was a gorgeous weekend for a road trip! I adore that rooster!...and that pink house. I will have to look up how far away Cornwall is from RI.

Have I told you how much I love going on these trips with you?!

pam said...

Wow..that beats anything we have...even though it might be lacking. Gorgeous hillside shots. And I'm so glad you included a covered bridge. One of my first thoughts when thinking about a bucket list...go to the Northeast in the fall, see the colors and find lots of covered bridges. LOVED this post.

Cherry Chick said...

Pat,
You have brightened my evening with your beautiful post. I have fond memories of wonderful Leaf Peeping adventures in NY. Your photos from CT are just fabulous as usual. I feel like I as there. That rooster is a hoot!
Thanks so much for sharing with us on Rednesday.

Vee said...

Those colors are brilliant! Looks as if you had a wonderful weekend in Connecticut. My aunt and uncle are returning soon and not looking forward to it. I think they'd stay here if it weren't for the grands.

Proud Italian Cook said...

You captured the perfect pictures of fall Pat, just beautiful!

Lily said...

This post is just PERFECT eye candy! I love autumn, which is why I married in October. You really captured the glorious colors! Happy Rednesday!
~Lily
www.neverfadingwood.blogspot.com

Ginny Hartzler said...

Oh, these are all so stunning that I can't pick a favorite!! The trees and river and bridges are so beautiful! But I do just adore the rooster, I wish I had him in my yard! The tree colors are just out of this world!! I do think I would have been afraid to drive over that first bridge!

Unknown said...

What wondeful scenery! We are still in a severe drought here in Ohio. Loves went yellow and peach then dry. A lot have dropped thier leaves already. They say we peaked last weekend.

dianasfaria.com said...

I love that rooster too Pat! & you really captured some spectacular views.
I need to get to sleep but I will be back tomorrow to check out your eataly post. I can't wait to visit there.

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Pat,
This has got to be one of the most gorgeous posts I've ever seen in my life--amazing!!!! And so nice to meet you!!!
XO

Donna said...

Thanks for sharing these amazing pictures with us. They are all just beautiful.
D

Brenda said...

Beautiful, Pat, just beautiful! Thanks for the tour! (I've always felt I lived in New England in a past life. Really.)

Lisa said...

Gorgeous .. Wow how very Gorgeous

Cheryl D. said...

I live in the one part of Los Angeles where we get a little taste of fall colors. When I mention this to my New York-raised husband, he just laughs at me and rolls his eyes. After seeing these pics, I can see why. The colors are unbelievable! The town looks unbelievably cute too.

Judy said...

They all look like calendar pictures to me...with the gorgeous colours. And I'm smiling about you choice of treat...since we just bought an oatmeal raisen cookie to share tonight.

Bunnym said...

OMG...these pics are stunning!! And your so lucky that you can just go over to the next state and enjoy all this wonderfulness. Living So. Ca. makes it kinda hard to enjoy the seasons when their aren't any...lol
...and don't get me started on those yummy looking pastries.

have a good one,
bunny

Light and Voices said...

Red bridges are the bomb. Those deserts look yummy. Those trees certainly are in their prime. Lovely blog.
Joyce M

Unknown said...

It's absolutely beautiful Pat, esp for me who never experience such colours and weather before.

Gracie said...

Pat wow such stunning photos!!! I like the fall colors best, they are the warmest and the brightest of the year, I like to take long walks in the woods in fall, the air is cooler and the smells much more filling....

http://jackieinsurrey.blogspot.co.uk/ said...

Wow Pat, the colours are incredible. I would gladly drive for two hours to see all that Autumnal colour and to take photographs.Thank you for saving me the long drive and sharing your great pics!! Jackie in Surrey, UK.

Old Kitty said...

The rooster looks like Foghorn Leghorn - my most favouritist rooster ever!! :-) What a great way to recycle a tin drum!! Yay!!

Oh now this is so new! I never knew there was a West Cornwall in Conneticut!! Wow!! And what a place!! The trees are spectacular and stunning and that bridge just reminds me of Bridges of Madison County - I know, I know wrong place but it just looks so romantic!! What a lovely place to sit.

The houses are just too nice!! LOL!!!

And what an artistic place too - pottery, carvings, shaker furniture and home baked goodies. Oh I want to live there! LOL!

Thanks for sharing such a fabulous new place (for me!) here. Excellent pics as always!! Take care
x

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

such a comprehensive post. The trees looks as though an artisit has painted different colors on the sky line.

Edie Marie's Attic said...

What a perfect fall trip Pat! Your photos are incredible!! I told Wes that this weekend or next we will need to take a short trip to the Hocking Hills just SE of us, it will be so gorgeous.
Thanks for the beautiful look at Connecticut!

Hugs, sherry

PS great choice on the oatmeal cookie! That's my choice these days too!

Sue said...

Pat- What a wonderful way to enjoy a fall day! I agree about the trees not being as vividly colored as in years past- that darn hot and dry summer we had has wreaked havoc on our trees. But it is so nice to see such beauty elsewhere- that covered bridge is amazing and the view from it looking onto the river is so, so pretty. Thanks for sharing with us....
hugs, Sue

Joyce said...

What a fun trip to see the Fall colors and the bridges and lovely homes. I hope you purchased some of those delicious looking baked goods:-)
Joyce

Anonymous said...

OMGOODNESS!..words can not express the beauty!Thank you so much for taking us with you to Connecticut,I enjoyed it so much.
-Jo
-LazyonLoblolly

Unknown said...

Yes there is more color up there than here, but ours is coming along. It is still beautiful there even if not as usual. I was in Rhode Island one fall and it was marvelous. Of course your photos are great. Blessings
QMM

Tracy said...

WOW...Just look at all that dazzling color... and fun places to stop! Oh, how I miss truly colorful autumns... Here it is not so brilliant as back home. So your post was very much a taste of home--Thank you, Pat! You have a way of finding & sharing the best places, the best things. And dare I say, I think this one is among my very favorite of your posts! ;o) I must go look at those leaves, those colors again... so refreshing & uplifting at the same time! Happy Days, my friend ((HUGS))

Donna said...

West Cornwall is beautiful. I would love to visit there.
Wow, the leaves are fantastic! Great photos.

Ours leaves have been slow to change, not a lot of color yet...still waiting.

Hugs,
Donna

Kate on Clinton said...

Beautiful! Love the rooster too. I've seen something like it at Brooklyn Flea, but it didn't have the lovely weathering.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What amazing color! You inspired me to link up with the Outdoor Wednesday! Enjoy your day! Pick me up the next time you go for a drive! heehee! ♥

Happy@Home said...

I can't think of a nicer way to spend a day. What a beautiful post. Your photos are stunning.
I have only been to New England once. It was in the fall and we went from state to state staying in B & B's. It stands out as one of my very favorite vacations. I'd love to get back there someday.

craftyles said...

What a beautiful post. The pictures are really amazing!

Lynn said...

Pat, I love love love every photo in this post!! It makes me want to go back for another color visit! The bridge, the rooster, the goodies, ALL of it!

Ebie said...

Wow! as in jaw dropping scenes! I do not remember much, but I have been to Litchfield in Autumn, and I have also heard of Cornwall.

Everything looks so crisp and the air so fresh! Your photos are so gorgeous and a delight to everyone's eye!

Thanks for sharing this season of beauty!

steviewren said...

Yummy, that Swiss Chard on the table looks good.

You and hubby had the perfect fall day to go sightseeing. Even if the foliage isn't as pretty as some years, it still looks spectacular to me.

The town of West Cornwall is very photogenic as well....all in all...it looks like a wonderful way to spend the day.

★Carol★ said...

The Fall colors were definitely spectacular in Connecticut! And so is your photography. The pictures are just amazing, and you've got a great eye. Thanks so much for sharing these, because I feel like I was right there with you!
Happy REDnesday!
Carol

Sheila said...

What beautiful bridges, buildings, market stands but most of all thanks for showing us the autumn leaves. They are amazing!

Sally Annie Magundy said...

I love this post! Thank you so much for all the gorgeous photos - I'm in scenery deprived, concrete jungle Los Angeles and it all made my heart go pitter pat!

Happy Rednesday,
Sally

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Hi Pat, Love the rooster and the pictures of the trees. Haven't seen such prettiness in Jersey yet. That little town sounds like a gem. This was such a fun post!
♥, Susan

Lovella ♥ said...

I remember as a young girl looking at the pictures of Canada in calendars. It always amazed me how the pictures of the more eastern provinces were so much more colorful in fall than our west coast. NOW. ..I really want to visit Conneticut during leaf changing season. It is just gorgeous. Your photography is spectacular. . thanks so much for sharing.

Donnie said...

I love your Outdoor Wednesday photos. Beautiful color.

Punctuation Mark said...

what a beautiful trip... i've always wanted to be in a place like this during fall... in Miami we never see anything like it

Leovi said...

I like your blog, is interesting.

RNSANE said...

Pat, what a lovely outing you had to Connecticut! The fall foliage looks brilliant to me. I've seen nothing like it here nor in Louisiana where I was for five days, attending my 45 year nursing school reunion. It was still very warm in New Orleans...didn't even wear a sweater out at night!

The covered bridge is so pretty and I thought Corwall looked the perfect place for a day's outing or an overnight stay. Thanks for the wonderful visit to such a scenic place.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

There is nothing like autumn in New England or Christmas in Manhattan.

La Petite Gallery said...

I love road trips this time of year. Your photo's are so beautiful. This year the color is wonderful. I have painted that bridge. I love this time of year it makes me feel alive.

yvonne

nanny said...

West Cornwall is wonderful and oh that bridge....I could sit on that bench for hours....
The colors look like a painting they are so vibrant. We don't have any red....mainly brown and a little gold.
I love these pictures, I'm gonna look at them over and over!

Icy BC said...

Gorgeous tour of your trip! The colors of autumn is incredibly vibrant and out of this world.

Cindy said...

Hi,
Great photos and such gorgeous color! You certainly knew where to go to find Fall color alright and the bridge is so picturesque along with the little town. How wonderful that they would reinforce the bridge so that it could still be used. I loved all of your photos and the rooster has great personality! Thanks so much for the chance to see all of it.
Hugs, Cindy

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

What a glorious post! I am so glad you are going on all these adventures and sharing them with the rest of us.

Frances said...

Oh Pat, your photos are always beautiful, but I particularly love the ones you have shown us here. My heart is ACHING to see Fall foliage. There is a little color here, but nothing to write home about, as my mother used to say. That covered bridge reminds me of my many trips to Lancaster County, where there are many similar bridges. I love the picture of the bridge with the bench in the foreground. It's fun thinking of you and your husband sitting on that very bench, drinking in the sights. And the little town you visited .... oh! how I love walking through places such as this. I so wish I could be right there, right now. Thank you so much for the visual feast. Hope you have a beautiful weekend.

H said...

I do love the cockeral. He's quirky! Quirky is good :)

What beautiful countryside. I think the two placees in the States which I would most like to visit are the Rockies and the East Coast in Autumn.

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

Beautiful colors!
Only in New England~~~
another friday's favorite for sure :-)

Karen said...

What amazing photos...the trees and the produce are beautiful! I've never visited the East Coast...it's on my list though. You don't see those kinds of colors on the West Coast.

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

my goodness, the beautiful autumn colours...Gods paint brush is magnificent!
I remember being so thrilled the first time I witness this beauty for myslef while living in TN.
THEN...all the leaves came off the trees and I thought they had died LOL... I felt so sad. My hubby told me they would all grow back on again, and when they did it was another surprise...I am an Ozzie Roo and used to life in the tropics...I tell you, this whole world is so beautiful. God Bless sister (Ozzie R.N. is Sister) Hugs from another Chooky.

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

my goodness, the beautiful autumn colours...Gods paint brush is magnificent!
I remember being so thrilled the first time I witness this beauty for myslef while living in TN.
THEN...all the leaves came off the trees and I thought they had died LOL... I felt so sad. My hubby told me they would all grow back on again, and when they did it was another surprise...I am an Ozzie Roo and used to life in the tropics...I tell you, this whole world is so beautiful. God Bless sister (Ozzie R.N. is Sister) Hugs from another Chooky.

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

??
Is your name a million favoured flowers? I used to speak Italian....the surname was Carbone` then.

Annesphamily said...

I love that rooster Pat! You make photographer so much fun and you are so blessed being able to travel to all these wonderful places. I truly love coming over here. Blessings to you today and always. Anne

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

I have enjoyed your tour very much ! Spectacular pics !
Blessings,
~Myrna

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Wow, Pat! What fabulous photos! Now I need to hop a plane and head your way! We barely have a pretty leaf here in the south! Happy weekend!...hugs...Debbie

MightyMom said...

wow, that looks like a fun trip! I have a friend in Conn who regularly makes pilgrammiges to covered bridges
:-)

Claudia said...

The rooster is indeed splendid - what a hoot. All right, wrong bird call. Loved the vicarious trip through CT - there are still so many quaint towns there. We have had a spectacular fall and have done a lot of autumn drives - so heartening to see the landscape dressed up. Today it is 70. I hear out autumn ends today.

Blooming Rose Musings said...

Pat! You made my day! I used to live in a town very near Cornwall and we used to kayak down the river under that covered bridge. Lately I have been so homesick for the area and you just gave me the greatest gift with all your beautiful pictures and descriptions of the area. Believe me, you can't even imagine how wonderful it is to see these pictures...and also wonderful memories of my parents. Thank you so much.

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

Gorgeous photos! And this is less than ideal conditions? They do have some magnificent color in Connecticut. What fun you must have had there!

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous place to visit I am so envious of you having all those colours. Here they are only just beginning to change. I am hoping for no winds so the leaves stay on the trees this year.

Oh wow what a sweet looking village with so much handicrafts. I would so like to visit there in person so thank you for taking me by blog. :-)

Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) said...

Hi Pat, this is one of my favorite Connecticut locations, where we spend a lot of time, and your pictures of it are fabulous! My kids went to school in Lakeville and the Appalachian trail runs right through this area. I think you were very good for leaving the whoopie pie-I definitely would not be able to!! You have a great knack for finding the right things to photograph. Have a great day. Linda

Trotter said...

Hi Pat! Those colours are absolutely stunning! One day I'll see it live myself...

Sorry for the absence: out one week, busy on return and then caught by the flu... ;)
Blogtrotter Two is still in Algiers... Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Kathy said...

Happy Pink Saturday - would love to live close enough to Connecticut to view such beauty! Absolutely love the bridge and the homes in that town - thanks for sharing your lovely journey!
Kathy

Anonymous said...

You captured the glowing beauty of that area, Pat!! The photos were spectacular. How I loved the covered bridge, too. We used to have several in the rural area of MO where I grew up, but they are all gone now. What a shame they weren't saved like the one you showed us.

Hope you've had a great Pink Saturday!! L, Dana

Linda said...

As far as I'm concerned...those photos are incredible...we never get that kind of color here, and it's been raining for a week, so I will have to wait to take a drive to the mountains and see what kind of color I can find...you photos are amazing as usual and it looked like a fun drive!

The Gathering Place said...

What a beautiful drive! I have always wanted to visit New England in the fall. Thanks for sharing!

Sciarada said...

Ciao Pat, I love that your post, every picture to fully express its beauty, the warm colors of autumn and wrapping, flood my soul through my eyes! GREAT!
Happy sunday!

diane b said...

What a fun getaway. The trees are fabulous especially for us tropical inhabitants. The covered bridge and surrounding scenery is lovely.I've always wanted to see New England since I read a Geographc magazine article about it years ago. Great shots.

Rettabug said...

AWESOME photos, Pat!! We've got many of the same colors showing up here in Ohio & thankfully, we didn't have the nor'easter storm, so the leaves are still on.
Don't you just love God's paint brush?

I always enjoy my visits to your blog. I never fail to learn something!

Vagabonde said...

What lovely colors. The bridge and the view from the bridge are so lovely. We drove north to Nashville and the colors are nicer than at home but not quite as far along as in your area. The rooster is very imaginative.

Self Sagacity said...

Thanks for stopping by on Wednesday, I am a bit late, but glad I made it. :-) your post has so many wonderful things to look at and learn from. It is truly a great post.

Historically Vintage said...

I want to take a road trip with YOU! This is picture PERFECT! The covered bridge is spectacular.