Category Archives: Outdoors

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Opens for Season on National Train Day

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Essex Steam Train #40 at Chester

Essex Steam Train #40 at Chester

The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat officially launches the attraction’s spring season on National Train Day, Saturday, May 11.  Opening weekend will feature the Essex Steam Train’s popular 1-hour train ride and 2-½-hour combo train and boat ride aboard the Becky Thatcher Riverboat.

Neighbor Appreciation Weekend will also take place the same weekend and  allow all residents in the five towns along the Valley Railroad’s operating line (Essex, Deep River, Chester, Haddam and Old Saybrook) to ride for free.

“We are very excited for our upcoming season and events this spring and summer,” said Bob Bell, President of the Valley Railroad Company.  “When guests come to the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, they enter into a time of the past.  It’s an adventure to ride the steam locomotive and tour the Connecticut River past landmarks like the Goodspeed Opera House and Gillette Castle. This year, we’re thrilled to host our opening day on the sixth annual National Train Day,” he said.

Coinciding with Opening Weekend, Neighbor Appreciation Weekend is a great opportunity for members of the local community to experience the adventure of the Essex Steam Train and Becky Thatcher Riverboat.  All residents of Essex, Deep River, Chester, Haddam and Old Saybrook may elect a free 1-hour train ride or 2 1/2-hour train and boat ride at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. or 2 p.m. or a 1-hour train ride at 3:30 p.m.  Neighbor Appreciation tickets are available for all five  departures, on a first come, first serve basis.  Adult residents must present picture identification at the Essex Station Ticket Window.

General admission tickets for opening weekend are now on sale at essexsteamtrain.com and can also be purchased at the Essex Station ticket window the day of the event.  Tickets for only the Steam Train cost $17 for adults, $9 for children ages 2-11 and free for those under 2-years-old.

Steam Train and Riverboat Connection combo tickets cost $26 for adults, $17 for children ages 2-11 and free for those under 2-years-old.

During the first operating weekend each month passengers can also enjoy the Saybrook Special, a no-extra-charge trip south to Old Saybrook, departing at 10 a.m.  With a donation to the Friends of the Valley Railroad, guests can also enjoy a ride in the little red Ralph Gibson Caboose.

Opening day this year marks the start of an exciting spring and summer along the Valley Railroad.  From a summer Circus Train in July to an exquisite new menu for the Essex Clipper Dinner Train, this year is packed with fun new experiences and classic Essex Steam Train charm.

For more information about the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, visit essexsteamtrain.com, or follow @essexsteamtrain on Twitter and facebook.com/steamtrain97.

Founder of ‘Lake Bottom Blankets’ to Speak at Rogers Lake Authority Meeting

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A 'Lake Bottom Blanket' prior to installation.

A ‘Lake Bottom Blanket’ prior to installation.

Warren Grosjean, founder of ‘Lake Bottom Blankets,’ is scheduled to speak at the Rogers Lake Authority meeting this evening at 7:30 p.m. at the Rogers Lake clubhouse.

Eighty-nine year-old Grosjean came up this aquatic weed control solution because it was non-chemical, eco-friendly, and easy to use.  It is now rated as one of the most effective lake weed control products on the market.

According to the company website, “the Lake Bottom Blanket works by preventing the sunlight required for plant growth; therefore, minimizing the development of lake weeds on the benthic layer.  Application is only necessary for the short period of time (1 month) required to dissuade the season’s growth of aquatic weeds in the targeted area.  The Lake Bottom Blanket can then be moved to a new location or finally stored for the next season.”

Grosjean will share information and some stories related to his product.  All are welcome.

Click here for more information about Lake Bottom Blankets.

Lyme Land Trust Announces “Tour de Lyme”

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The Tour de Lyme will pass through the bucolic Lyme countryside.

The Tour de Lyme will pass through the bucolic Lyme countryside.

A new annual road and trail cycling event will be introduced in southeastern Connecticut in May when The Lyme Land Conservation Trust launches its first “Tour de Lyme” fundraiser.

Scheduled for Saturday, May 11, the Tour de Lyme organizers say the event will offer participants six different “ride” selections  – four road routes and two trail biking sections.

The ride selections range from a “challenging” 55-mile route to a relatively easy 10-mile “family ride”.

The organizers are planning to draw both cycling enthusiasts and casual riders from around the Northeast and report that early registrations have included riders from across southeastern New England and New York.

President John Pritchard said the land trust decided to hold a cycling event to raise funds for its preservation efforts because Lyme’s bucolic back roads and forest trails are popular with many cyclists.

“Because Lyme’s roads are already favorites for many cyclists, we believe the cycling community will participate in Tour de Lyme to help support the land trust’s programs that preserve the beauty and environmental diversity in the town,” he said.

“Lyme is known for its scenic landscape and healthy environment, a complement to the health benefits of cycling – a fact area cyclists have long understood,” he said.  “Cyclists have a history and proud tradition of participating in charity events that support grass-roots community improvement initiatives, so we believe Tour de Lyme will be a popular annual event for cyclists in the Northeast.”

The various rides will have staggered start times so riders all return at about the same time for a picnic lunch at the starting point, which is the Lyme Consolidated School next to Town Hall and the Lyme Library on Rte. 156 in Lyme.

Proceeds from the fund-raising event will be used to support the Land Trust’s operations, said Pritchard.  The Lyme Land Trust, a non-profit 501 (C) 3 charity, was founded in 1966.  It now manages more than 3,000 acres of preserved open space with 40 miles of trails and two fish ladders on the Eightmile River.

Besides entry fees and rider team fund raising, there are several local and regional businesses that have signed on as sponsors to help underwrite the event, including: Essex Financial Services, Erik Block Design Build, Dominion Resources, Lawrence & Memorial, All-Pro Automotive, Anthem BlueCross/BlueShield, Bouvier Insurance, NRG Energy, Reynolds Garage & Marina, Antonino Acura, Coca Cola Bottling of SE New England, Connaughty Chiropractic Center and Connecticare Inc.

Cyclist and team registration is open at www.TourdeLyme.org/register.

Interested cyclists, volunteers, and sponsors should visit www.tourdelyme.org

For more information, email info@tourdelyme.org or call George Moore, 860-434-4639.

DOT Plans to Double CT River Ferry Fares, Announces Meetings to Discuss Proposals

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ferry 2The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) announced yesterday (April 5) that it will be holding two public meetings regarding plans to raise the fares on the two Connecticut River Ferries starting July 1, 2013.  The ferries affected are the Chester-Hadlyme and Rocky Hill-Glastonbury routes.
DOT says in a press release that the increases are necessary to offset the rising operating costs that have occurred over the years.  Fares have not been raised since 2003.
Under the proposal, effective July 1, vehicle fares will be increased from the current $3 per crossing to $6.   Fares for walk-on passengers and bicyclists will be increased from $1 per crossing to $2.  The price of the Discount Coupon Book that now costs $40 for a book of 20 coupon tickets (a 33 percent savings) will be increased to $80 (also a 33 percent savings).

“We are committed to maintaining the ferry operations serving tourists, commuters, pedestrians and bicyclists alike,” stated Commissioner James P. Redeker.  “Raising the fares has been carefully considered.  Fare increases are never popular, but costs for operating the ferries have consistently been significantly greater than passenger revenues, resulting in a state subsidy of $651,000 in the most recent fiscal year.”

The two public meetings on the fare increases will be held:

  • May 20, 6:30 pm – 9:00 p.m., Rocky Hill Community Center, Room 1
  • May 22, 6:30 pm – 9:00 p.m., Chester Meeting House

Commissioner Redeker noted that a Strategic Business Plan was developed in consultation with the Connecticut River Ferry Task Force, a group of concerned citizens.  Several of the recommendations from that effort have been implemented.  The Department is installing new road signs that will direct the public to the “Historic Connecticut River Ferry.”  Significantly, new environmentally compliant engines were installed in both the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry and the -Hadlyme Ferry during the 2012-2013 winter maintenance period.

The Chester-Hadlyme Ferry began its season on Monday, April 1, and will run through Nov. 30.  The Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry season is from May 1 to Oct. 31.

Chester-Hadlyme Ferry Resumes Operations for 244th Year

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Engine room_640

John Marshall, captain of the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry, shows off one of two new John Deere 205-HP engines installed in the 60-year-old Selden III ferry over the winter by CT Department of Transportation.

The historic Chester-Hadlyme Ferry resumed service Monday for its 244th year with a “First Sailing” party organized by the Hadlyme Public Hall Association, which spearheaded a campaign two years ago to save the ferry service from state budget cuts.

A number of Department of Transport officials from Hartford attended the event to help celebrate the installation of the engines.