CT - Mystic or RI - Newport ... any favorites?

[Andy M.]

That looks like a very nice place. Have a great time.

 

[philso]

what's with the rocky & bullwinkle quilt?

oh, i get it. sentimental journey via mr. peabody's wayback machine.

if you book a weekend, does it come with t.v. dinners & the jetsons lunch boxes??

 

[VeraBlue]

what's with the rocky & bullwinkle quilt?

oh, i get it. sentimental journey via mr. peabody's wayback machine.

if you book a weekend, does it come with t.v. dinners & the jetsons lunch boxes??

Only your warped mind would see rocky and bullwinkle....

 

[VickiQ]

Ok -here goes.This has been a very unusual weekend and Friday was the best day. Jimmy and I left here at 7:30 am-we stopped at the Cracker Barrel at exit 40 for breakfast. It was bout 9am.Now there is a huge billboard advertising the restaurant but, once you get off the exit-it's like hide and seek.You actually have to turn into a Dunkin Donuts parking lot to get to Cracker Barrel.It was very good though. We were back on the road by 10 or so. Jimmy had read somewhere about a Crystal mall that boasted 125 unique shops-it was in Waterford -along our trip route-so why not give it a look see- well it was a very pretty every day mall with your Macy's and Sears ect.- we laughed- I think Jimmy was just having fun using the GPS.If you remember the weather promised for last Friday was to be hot and humid-at this point in the day it was warm and beautiful. After using the facilities we headed to our first destination The Jonathon Edwards Winery in North Stonington-the vineyard itself was small but, beautiful.We did the wine tasting and were told we could take our samples and stroll around the grounds and come back when we were ready for the next selection- I thought this was nice and we did take our time.Now I don't like sharing what I thought of the wines because everyone has their own taste. Our next stop was the Stonington Winery also evry nice but, not quite as elegant as the first winery.When we enertered the winery at about 1:30 it ws still very warm and sunny. Jimmy wanted to take the tour and it was perfect for him-short with a lot of information. When we had left the building it had turned very cloudy. We decided to find a "new" fish and chips place and were told about The Ocean Cove on Rte.1.The sign for Ocean Cove is on Route !. The stand is on a back road. It was very good-you had a choice of cod or flounder for the fish. We had the cod.The fish was light and both the fish and fries were fried perfectly with no grease left on the paper plate at all. By this time the temerature had dropped 20 degrees .I was in a tube top and skort and FREEZING! It has also gotten very foggy and it felt like were were walking in a cloud.I was very greatful Jimmy had his bright orange work hoodie in the car. We had driven around a little bit but, we couldn't see anything from the car so we to Olde Mistick Village and walked through the shops we know like the back of our hands.We stopped in the Mumson's confectionery and shared fresh chocolate dipped marshmallows-it hit the spot.We had wanted to watch the drawbridge in Mystic sitting by the docks but, it was just too foggy to see anything. Later we ended up at Abbott's in Noank as we do every year- I think the chowder was especially good because I was so cold. All in all our yearly visit to the Mystic area was a great one- any time we can spend time together no matter what the weather is a great time!! I know I haven't offered you too much here - I'm sorry- we probably would have hit another winery or so -there is a Conneticut Winery Trail but, the weather wasn't co-operating. Love and energy, Vicki

 

[VeraBlue]

I do thank you for that report. Lou and I are planning on visiting the two winerys you mentioned, plus one other that escapes me at the moment.

I'm surprised it got so cool up there. It was 95 and humid all day and well into the evening here...

Have you ever visited any beaches?

 

[VickiQ]

We used to go to a beach right on the Conn-RI border-it's called Beach Pond- I believe the name of the town is Misquamicut(sp). There's also a nice beach or it was a nice beach in Groton Long Point which is on the way to Abbott's-it's a smaller beach. Other than the beach on the sub base that you have to know someone living on base to get to those are the only two we ever went to. Hope it helps and don't forget the sunscreen!!!Love and energy, Vicki

 

[larry_stewart]

Ill be going up to Newport in 2 weeks. We usually browse through the stores in Newport, do a few mansion tours. This year we will be touring the Topiary gardens ( weather permitting). There is a nice 3 mile walk called the " Cliff Walk ". It is a small path, on one side is the cliff overlooking the ocean, and on the other side is the back yard to all the mansions ( about 3 miles, but u can turn around anytime you like).
In and around Mystic, in addition to what has been mentioned already are the casinos Foxwoods and Mohegans sun, In the town , Groton, there is a free submarine museum, self guided tour through a submarine. The aquarium has a few programs (for an extra fee ofcourse) Contact with penguins, where u sit with a small group of people ( maybe 10) and the instructor tells u all about the penguins, as one runs around the room from person to person. You also get a chance to listen to its heart and things like that. Then there is the Beluga whale contact program, where you get to go in the water with the whale, touch its body, fins, tongue .....' These proms require reservations and an extra fee, but if u like this kinda thing, its really cool.

 

[VickiQ]

Ill be going up to Newport in 2 weeks. We usually browse through the stores in Newport, do a few mansion tours. This year we will be touring the Topiary gardens ( weather permitting). There is a nice 3 mile walk called the " Cliff Walk ". It is a small path, on one side is the cliff overlooking the ocean, and on the other side is the back yard to all the mansions ( about 3 miles, but u can turn around anytime you like).
In and around Mystic, in addition to what has been mentioned already are the casinos Foxwoods and Mohegans sun, In the town , Groton, there is a free submarine museum, self guided tour through a submarine. The aquarium has a few programs (for an extra fee ofcourse) Contact with penguins, where u sit with a small group of people ( maybe 10) and the instructor tells u all about the penguins, as one runs around the room from person to person. You also get a chance to listen to its heart and things like that. Then there is the Beluga whale contact program, where you get to go in the water with the whale, touch its body, fins, tongue .....' These proms require reservations and an extra fee, but if u like this kinda thing, its really cool.

I forgot all about the sub museum.You can also take a guided tour of the submarine The Nautlis.My boys liked it when they were young-my daughter not so much.The fee for the tour was a donation.There is one day a week where it is not open. Love and energy, Vicki

 

[VeraBlue]

Hey Larry, thanks for the information. Any idea how far in advance I need to make the reservations for the penquin thing?

 

[VickiQ]

here's the website:
Mystic Aquarium & Institute For Exploration
love and energy, Vicki

 

[vagriller]

The Mystic Seaport is cool, especially if you like big old ships. When I was stationed at Groton in the Navy I had a friend that lived in Mystic. We would ride our mtn bikes across the Main St bridge through town, down River Rd, and back up the other side of the river on Route 27. Right near the bridge off of Gravel St there (or was back then anyway) a concrete embankment that sloped down into the water, and my buddy used to ride a wheelie on the sloped part. He was pretty good on a bike. It was a great time!

 

[PytnPlace]

I've been to both when I teenager as we lived in W.Hartford CT for 5 years. I don't know what to recommend as its' been 25 years now. I wish that I appreciated it back then as I sooo miss the East coast here in the middle of nowhere land!!!! I remember being a complete Bi#$% to my parents when we went to Mystic. Telling them it was stupid and I didn't want to be there. What a brat!!!

 

[VickiQ]

Ahh Pytn((())) I'm sure we've all had "adolescent"moments we wish we could take back.Don't beat yourself up over it- it's in the past- leave it there.Lately I've had to stop myself from having a few of those moments and I'm 46!!I guess I learned the lesson!!Maybe someday you'll get to re-visit Mystic and make great memories.Love and energy, Vicki

 

[mudbug]

Brat here too. We visited the Grand Canyon when I was 15 and I told my father that it was just another big hole in the ground.

 

[buckytom]

'bug, have you ever seen the flintstones episode where fred walks by a giant sign that says "grand canyon", pointing down to a trickle of water going thru a small pothole?

v.b., make sure you and lou learn a few sea shanties before you go to mystic seaport. you don't want to get stuck singing "new york, new york".

 

[VeraBlue]

here's the website:
Mystic Aquarium & Institute For Exploration
love and energy, Vicki

Well, the whale gig is about $130....and a bit more than I'd be up for spending on that particular adventure. Unfortunately, they don't bring the penguins out in July and August. I may still do the whale thing, but I am leaning towards no...

Thanks for the link!

 

[VeraBlue]

'bug, have you ever seen the flintstones episode where fred walks by a giant sign that says "grand canyon", pointing down to a trickle of water going thru a small pothole?

v.b., make sure you and lou learn a few sea shanties before you go to mystic seaport. you don't want to get stuck singing "new york, new york".

Never fear, Lou hates the New York New York song, haha. I'm not a big fan of it, either, come to think of it.

 

[Aria]

We visited the New England Coast years ago. Mystic Ct and Newport RI wonderful, quaint places to visit. Thanks for the updates. We will be traveling again soon...and this time in our Airstream. Aria

 

[philso]

re: pytnplace "...I remember being a complete Bi#$% to my parents when we went to (wherever it was that you went with your parents). Telling them it was stupid and I didn't want to be there. What a brat!!!"

heehee... anyone here not a member of this club?

 

[Flourgirl]

Born and raised in Connecticut, we visit Mystic 4 or 5 times a year. Also, we honeymooned in Newport. You'll have a wonderful time in both towns!

When you visit Mystic, you'll have to stop at the Drawbridge Creamery for the town's most popular ice cream. We always have a bite at Mystic Pizza too. For my favorite kitchen supply store, the Grey Goose at Mystic Village is a fantastic little shop.

Have fun!