New England in the autumn (even with rain!) is something that people from around the world dream of seeing and visiting. And we all live right in the middle of the landscape of mountains to the ocean at Long Island Sound; stone walls and the beauty of deciduous trees turning colors.Interesting events abound - the above photo is from a recent gathering of the Connecticut Valley Mycological Society (their interest is mushroom and fungi) - a welcoming group that is gracious about allowing interested people to join them or trail along on walks. Recently they hosted at Wild Mushroom Festival at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC).
"Spectacular Spiders" is a featured DPNC program this weekend, led by Kim Hargrave (spider hunt to find many different types). For details, check out their site at www.dpnc.org.
Here's just a sampling of what else to see and do over the long weekend:
The annual Chowderfest at Mystic Seaport serves up hot chowder, apple cider, Saturday through Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Seaport admission is required; menu items are additional.) "Chowdahs" include New England, Rhode Island, Manhattan, seafood, corn and the un-chowder, lobster bisque. Or sample lobster rolls, lobster macaroni and cheese, grilled fish and a raw bar. Cider, wine, beer too. (Yes, there will also be hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers and grilled chicken.) Watch 19th-century cooking techniques over open fires - and much more. Chowderfest benefits Mystic Seaport and Special Olympics of Connecticut. Support for the event is provided in part by Cabot Creamery, Coca-Cola of Southeastern New England and Seamen’s Inne.
After eating your fill, walk off the chow by enjoying the seaport's many offerings, or drive over to the wonderful mechanical bascule bridge and the village for some more shopping and sightseeing along Mystic River.
Should you itch to roam north - peak color in Vermont is sweeping the state - "foliage spotters also recommend Route 12 from Woodstock to Bethel, Route 107 from Stockbridge to Royalton, Route 131 between Brownsville and Ludlow, Route 106 between Reading and Woodstock, and Route 100A through Plymouth Notch" - for a full report, visit www.vermontvacation.com.
Or for something a bit different - if dinosaurs are a passion for someone in the family - Oct. 10 to 12 is the Monty Mania Fall Festival at The Dinosaur Place, 1650 Hartford New London Tpke. (Rte. 85), Oakdale. (Monty is the mascot T. Rex on site.) Enjoy free events with paid admission to Outdoor Adventure.
The Garlic & Harvest Festival at Bethlehem Fairgrounds, in Bethlehem, offers cooking demonstrations, garlic-growing lectures, delicious garlic food court and specialty food vendors, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $6; $1 children 12 and under.
The 19th Annual Walktober Celebration is The Last Green Valley, Inc., (TLGV) walks, paddles and events for October and November. For details (history to mushroom hunts and canoeing on hidden waterways) see a printable brochure as a PDF - www.tlgv.org.
