If you're driving down Route 66 in this neck of the woods, be prepared for two incredible sights…read more-painted rocks that look like living creatures! This one is near the intersection of West Main (Rt 66) and Stone House Road. It's a gorgeous rendition of a bald eagle. This beautifully painted rock outcropping has seen various lives as a whale, a shark, a frog, and a turtle. In 1989, a high school student repainted it as an eagle, and its lived on as an eagle ever since. Over the years, it gets repainted every once in a while and the year it was touched up is also painted under the eagle's beak. This is a freaking gem !!!

When I was little we would drive by this on the journey from New Haven to Hampton to visit family…read more It instantly became the thing my brother and I looked for on the way. I moved to this area and on a backroads drive randomly rediscovered this in all of it's patriotic glory. The eyeballs are slightly more terrifying than as a child I remember them being but it's still 200% 'Merica.

In the 1800's, how did they transport huge slabs of stone from Portland quarries? Easy, they…read morewrapped a chain around the stone, hooked it to a giant 30-foot wooden contraption with 8-foot tall wheels, and had a team of muscular oxen haul it away. This artifact of Portland history was restored between 1999 and 2002, and now sits proudly on Main Street in its own pavilion. Hopefully, its location next to the Police Station will keep it vandalism free. It's a wonderful glimpse into the technology of the day and it's a nice example of how some towns honor their past. There are signs around the pavilion describing the history of the arch and it's restoration

I got to see this monument at the church's annual lobster festival and craft fair. Frankly, I was…read moreintrigued at it being the first Civil War monument, particularly since now it seems like there's one (or at least a mention of those who served) in every town. The monument is taller than I am, so well over six feet, and is a bit like the Washington monument in appearance. It seems structurally sound, and was clearly well built or has been well maintained since 1863, despite being on a small incline. There is a small fence surrounding this monument, although it is much too high to legitimately be a tripping hazard. A fine, well maintained and contained monument indeed. Also, if you go during their festival, try the lobster roll!

In every list of things, or every column of data, something has to be first. Today I saw America's…read morefirst monument dedicated to the soldiers of the Civil War. It was dedicated in 1863, while the war was still raging. The monument is located in a lovely park on the corner of Percival Street and Sheldon Street on the property of the Kensington Congregational Church. It's a tall obelisk of simple stone with inscriptions on all four sides of the base. The monument is surrounded by a pretty ornamental iron fence that is adorned with plaques. One of the fence plaques tells the back story of the monument. "In 1861 as the Civil War escalated, a decision was made to provide a monument to honor soldiers from the Kensington area. The effort was led by The Reverend Elias Hillard, Nelson A. Moore, Selectman George Cowles and church members. It was designed by Mr. Moore and dedicated on July 28, 1863. This monument was the first in the Nation to honor Civil War soldiers. There were 15 local area men who served including Elijah H. Bacon who was awarded the Medal of Honor. This plaque donated by the Town of Berlin under the auspices of the Berlin Veterans Commission The plaque's main inscription reads: Erected to Commemorate the Death Of Those Who Perished in Suppressing The Southern Rebellion How sleep the brave who sink to rest. By all their country's wishes blest. 1863 Soldiers The other sides of the monument bear the names of local Civil War veterans. There is a cannon with a stack of cannon balls on the lawn not far from the monument. It's a beautiful monument and the ornate wrought iron fence gives the corner the look of a cemetery. This is deservedly a five star memorial- for its aesthetic appeal and its historic significance.

All time FAVORITES!!! For every occasion and mood!!! Like literally happy sad depressed and…read moreexcited!! Come here and relax it's so beautiful! They have safety rails now too lol

I came here on a fall afternoon as the sun was setting. It's a bit of a drive up to the castle from…read morethe entrance of the park but not too bad- about 10-15 minutes. I like that there are stairs inside the castle. What a beautiful view from the top! The foliage was a bit past peak but still gorgeous. It was windy and chilly but totally worth the views!

First thing I learned is we've all had his name wrong…read more It's not "Smokey the Bear", it's "Smokey Bear". Makes sense, right? Think about it ... it's not "Donald the Duck or "Mickey the Mouse", is it? (Wise-ass remark from the back of the room) -"Yo, what about Kermit the Frog"? Hey, there's an exception to every rule. Anyway, the character of Smokey Bear was created way back in 1944 to make the country more aware about the dangers of forest fires and to preach fire prevention. Smokey's longevity makes him the longest running public service campaign in American history. I was surprised to learn that in 1984, he was honored with a U.S. postage stamp to mark his 40th anniversary. There are hundreds of these Smokey Bear signs all across the country. They publicize the threat level of wildfires. This Smokey Bear sign is located at the entrance to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection complex on Route 66. It's one sweet piece of Americana.

Very realistic yet non threatening portrayal of a North…read moreAmerican brown bear. Helpful in determining whether campfires/bonfires are appropriate by advertising how dry it is outside. Denim jeans are somewhat too provocative.

So every kid in the Haddam area ends up forced to go to the Thankful Arnold House for at least one…read morefield trip to learn about colonial times and whatnot. And it's a pretty cool place with a nice garden, but unless you are there on a field trip with organized activities, I really see little point in going there. I mean it's a historical house. You can look around for about five minutes and then you're done. Then again, maybe that's not true because the only time I've ever been there is on a school field trip where they taught me how to cross stitch... and then it became an obsession. But in all honesty it's a kind of overrated landmark in the middle of nowhere. If you happen to be passing it for some reason or another, you certainly should stop in. However, the chances that you'll be "passing by" are about the same as if you were visiting my mother's house.

Great visit at the TAH in Haddam. The director is personable and well versed on Haddam history. She…read morewas able to give us names and interesting tidbits with regard to our property and house. We had a blast.

Quirky little museum tucked away on the campus of Norwich Free Academy. Great collection of…read moreplundered booty from rich US industrialists' world tours by private yacht. Eclectic but beautifully presented.

Very cool find on a rainy day. I liked the artifacts kept, minimal entrance fee, and portraits…read moredisplayed.

Ten years after that terrible day, the Town of Rocky Hill dedicated a memorial garden in a small…read moregreen in their municipal complex that houses it's police and fire stations. Representing the Twin Towers, a ravaged steel beam from the 37th floor of the North Tower, and a 33-foot tall flag pole, rise from a raised landscaped square of masonry blocks. The garden has gravel, shrubs, and landscaping lights. There are two plaques - a time-line of the events of September 11, 2001, and a dedication to those lost on that day and the ongoing war against terror. This is the second monument I've seen with a beam from the Twin Towers- the other one is at the Connecticut Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Windsor Locks. Quite a few of the veteran's memorials I've seen mention the global war on terror.

I thought about writing up these six monuments separately, but the image of seeing them all…read moretogether, standing shoulder to shoulder and spanning the generations from the Civil War through Vietnam, convinced me to write about them as a unified memorial to our veterans. They share the town green, in front of a cemetery. Seeing them lined up, like the passage of time itself, is a very powerful sight. Starting on the left is Glastonbury's World War I monument dedicated in 1924. It's a bronze plaque on a granite base and lists the names of Glastonbury's veterans of the Great War. Sixteen were killed. The inscription reads: "In honor of those of the Town of Glastonbury who answered their country's call to serve humanity." Next over are two memorials to the Vietnam era. One honors all Glastonbury soldiers and the other salutes Airman Levitow whose extraordinary heroism saved many lives and earned him the Medal of Honor. The right side of the monuments honors Glastonbury's Korean War and World War II veterans. But the crown jewel of this display is the wonderful Civil War Monument known as the "Standard Bearer". It's a 1913 granite statue of Glastonbury's Captain Frederick M. Barber of the 16th Regiment of the Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. Barber died from combat wounds at the Battle of Antietam. Barber is holding a flag in his left arm, and his right hand is poised to whip out his sword if needed. I love these Civil War monuments. This granite statue is 9' tall and dates to 1913. He's dressed in the usual long overcoat, a cap and a cape. Of course he has facial hair (in this case a stylish moustache) as so many of these monuments do. There are two inscriptions, Check out the eloquence of the second one. "Erected in memory of Capt. Frederick M. Barber and the soldiers of Glastonbury who gave their lives for their country, by Mercy Turner Barber, 1913." "More enduring than this monument will be the memory of their loyal, patriotic devotion to their country. This granite shaft in time will crumble to dust, but the memory of their heroic deeds, the noble sacrifice of their lives, will live in memory's realm 'till time shall be no more."

This is hands down one of the cutest things I've ever seen. Emily from thesidedishers told me about…read morethis and I had to come and make a wish in the wish booth. There's so many negative things out there and this is just a ray of positivity in a cute little town in Connecticut. It boosts your self esteem and self worth and gives you hope. 100% recommend stopping here and sending your wishes into the universe. Because what is life without some hope and dreams. Hearts.