Nature's Path & Way To Go - Courant.com

A Forest Where The Pine Groves Seem To Go On Forever

Peter Marteka — Thu, 24 May 2012 23:01:00 GMT

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The Waters Of Falls Brook In The Tunxis State Forest Put On A Show

Peter Marteka — Thu, 17 May 2012 22:19:00 GMT

Whenever I awoke Christmas morning at 2 a.m., I had two choices: I could burst out of bed, rumble downstairs waking everyone up, pull my stocking off the mantle and rip through my presents. Or I could roll over and fall back to sleep and wake up again at a reasonable hour, like 3 a.m.

The Ghost Bridges Of Mansfield Hollow

Peter Marteka — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:57:00 GMT

It's almost that time of year to gather around the ol' campfire and tell the tale of the ghost bridges of Mansfield Hollow.

At Comstock Covered Bridge, Something New Preserves The Good Old Days

Peter Marteka — Thu, 03 May 2012 22:17:00 GMT

Can you ever truly go home again? Can what was once old become new again while remaining the same?

Westwoods: A Daunting But Highly Rewarding Experience Along The Shoreline

Peter Marteka — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:36:00 GMT

Exploring Westwoods in a morning or afternoon is a daunting task.

Riverfront Park: Celebrating Portland's Famous Brownstone Along The Connecticut River

Peter Marteka — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:15:00 GMT

Walk along the trails of Portland's Riverfront Park and you will quickly discover just about everything is brown. The paths are brown. The stones — from pebbles to boulders — are brown. The mud is brown. And by the end of the hike, your boots and pant legs will take on a brownish hue.

Legend Lives On In The Indian Caves Of Mattatuck Trail

Peter Marteka — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 23:11:00 GMT

Ah, the Indian caves.

Andover's Bridge To Somewhere

Peter Marteka — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:37:00 GMT

More Than A Decade In The Making, Covered Bridge On Hop River Trail Becomes Reality

As I stood on the trail and wondered whether or not I should venture forth, I felt like I was a kid again standing on the edge of a freshly frozen pond. Back then, I would stretch one leg out, touching the surface of the ice and gingerly putting my weight on it, listening for that deep, rumbling echo that would determine my next step.

Great Discoveries For Hikers At George Dudley Seymour State Park

Peter Marteka — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 22:05:00 GMT

I spent much of my youth exploring the wilds of East Hampton's Hurd State Park. I tossed stones down the seemingly bottomless chasm of Split Rock, listening for their landings. We picnicked in a glade above Carlson Pond, scaled White Mountain and walked the riverbanks watching the mighty Connecticut River flow past.

A High Journey Up A Short Mountain

Peter Marteka — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:07:00 GMT

The thing about oxymorons is you either love them or you hate them. You know, the words jumbo shrimp, hospital food; divorce court and working vacation will either make you laugh or grumble when you read them.

The Land Of The Ancient Pines

Peter Marteka — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 22:30:00 GMT

Some Trees In Gold's Pines Date Back To Days Of The Erie Canal And The Battle Of The Alamo

I now know what the steel ball feels like when it is being whopped around the bumpers in a pinball machine.

The Ridges And Peaceful Valley Of Lyme

Peter Marteka — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 22:59:00 GMT

Two images come to mind when one mentions the words "peaceful valley."

A Visit To Northern Connecticut's Scenic Three-State Skyline

Peter Marteka — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 22:41:00 GMT

Growing up, whenever the latest "Highlights For Children" magazine came I would tear through it looking for the "hidden pictures" puzzle and spend my walk back from the mailbox searching for things like a baseball bat, toothbrush and a slice of pie.

An Undulating Journey To The State's Highest Falls

Peter Marteka — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 23:26:00 GMT

Traveling along Cheshire's Prospect Ridge is like being on a roller coaster.

The Rare And Mysterious Atlantic Cedar Swamp

Peter Marteka — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 23:35:00 GMT

Site Is One Of Eight National Natural Landmarks In State

If you want to explore an Atlantic cedar swamp, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Mill History Lives Along Nipmuck Trail, Fenton River

Peter Marteka — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:48:00 GMT

It's nice to walk down the beach this time of year. The days are bright and sunny and sort of mild. The water gently laps along the shore. Despite the cold north wind, you feel the urge to lose your socks and shoes and feel the grains between your toes.

A Castle In The Sky With Views Across A Kingdom

Peter Marteka — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:21:00 GMT

Hike Up West Rock Ridge To A 200-Square-Mile View

Before you reach the top of West Rock, a long strip of cement and traprock wall joins your journey as you ascend to the top of New Haven's highest point. By the time you reach the overlook, the large wall resembles a castle turret and before you sprawls your kingdom.

Chatfield Trail In Killingworth: Where Your Hike Becomes An Adventure

Peter Marteka — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:21:00 GMT

The thought first crossed my mind as I contorted my body under ledges and sucked in my stomach to fit through narrow gaps between boulders as I followed the blue blazes along Burlington's "Mile of Ledges."

Nature: From Mine To Mountain Top

Peter Marteka — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:16:00 GMT

Trail Runs From Old Copper Mine And New-Gate Prison To Peak And Copper Mountains

I haven't been to every corner of the state, but I'm pretty sure there is only one place where visitors can plunge into the bowels of the earth, deep in a old copper mine, and then scale the heights of a nearly 700-foot-high mountain in the span of a few hours.

The Lost Mills Of Haddam Neck's Pine Brook Preserve

Peter Marteka — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:15:00 GMT

The remnants of abandoned mills dot the banks of rivers and streams across the state. Many are just ghostly shells eroded by the New England elements and the waters that once powered them, leaving the 21 s t - century visitor to imagine their industrial past.

Old Road With A Legendary Past — Or Not

Peter Marteka — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:49:00 GMT

As I walked up the dusty, abandoned road in Clinton's Kenilworth Forest, a fellow hiker came up to me and told me I wasn't traversing a trail, but a piece of history. He told me it was known as Old Burncoat Road, where retreating British soldiers had to burn their red uniforms to avoid capture by the Continental Army.

A Ghostly Mountaintop With A View

Peter Marteka — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:48:00 GMT

Each year, I make my annual trek to Meriden Square or the nearby Target in the Silver City. And each year, usually while mumbling about waiting until the last minute, I stare up at the Hanging Hills of Meriden and Berlin and let out a great big sigh.

Peaceful Waterfalls In The Wilds Of Northwestern Connecticut

Peter Marteka — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:19:46 GMT

Whoever came up with the phrase "Ah, peace and quiet" probably stood on the banks and watched the frothing waters tumble over Burlington Falls. The person who created "Peace out" might have found it difficult to leave the waterfalls, where streams of sunlight pass through a hemlock canopy and illuminate the bubbling waters below.

A Visit To Old Lyme's Champlain Farm

Peter Marteka — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT

During one visit to Old Lyme's Champlain Farm, Bill and Bear — man and canine best friend — wrote, "Love this place!" On another trip, the pair observed "a little fog, almost spooky." On another early morning visit, the two found a bit of inspiration: "What a sunrise from the lookout!"

Mansfield's Kame Terrace: A Rare Piece Of Our Glacial Past

Peter Marteka — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 22:32:00 GMT

A ghostly fog rose above the kettle pond as a light rain fell on the barren branches of the oak forest. A great blue heron walked slowly along the shallow banks while the sounds of frogs hopping into the water echoed across the barren December woods.