[Champ le monstre du lac]

I was down in Connecticut last week for a few days as I was in the mood for a Spring road trip. I discovered the charms of Chester. It's adorable, kind of a Hallmark town. I also hung out by the shoreline in Mystic and Niantic for a while and made a stop at Rocky Neck State Park.

For a city, I spent a bit of time in Middletown and had a good look around. There is something very agreeable and likable about this small city. A nicely sized downtown with plenty of activity, scenic riverfront parks, an ideal and convenient location in the state seemingly close to everything with a bit of urban, suburban, and semi rural all close by. It's not bougie, seemingly middle class, not run down, fairly clean, and all around pretty attractive. One of those places that made me say.. yeah I could live here. It must rank somewhere in the top five as far as CT cities go.

I tried to stop in Hartford on my way out as I wanted to walk around Bushnell Park to take the spring blooms, but it was a busy Friday afternoon with no parking to be found anywhere and I was rushed for time. But downtown was not dead by any stretch just from quick observations.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Champ le monstre du lac

I was down in Connecticut last week for a few days as I was in the mood for a Spring road trip. I discovered the charms of Chester. It's adorable, kind of a Hallmark town. I also hung out by the shoreline in Mystic and Niantic for a while and made a stop at Rocky Neck State Park.

For a city, I spent a bit of time in Middletown and had a good look around. There is something very agreeable and likable about this small city. A nicely sized downtown with plenty of activity, scenic riverfront parks, an ideal and convenient location in the state seemingly close to everything with a bit of urban, suburban, and semi rural all close by. It's not bougie, seemingly middle class, not run down, fairly clean, and all around pretty attractive. One of those places that made me say.. yeah I could live here. It must rank somewhere in the top five as far as CT cities go.

I tried to stop in Hartford on my way out as I wanted to walk around Bushnell Park to take the spring blooms, but it was a busy Friday afternoon with no parking to be found anywhere and I was rushed for time. But downtown was not dead by any stretch just from quick observations.

I’m glad you enjoyed your visit to Connecticut. You really saw a lot. Did you stop by the RJ Julia Bookstore or Amato’s Toy Store in Middletown? Thanks for your impressions. It’s nice to see others confirm what some of us have been saying here for years. Jay

[Champ le monstre du lac]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I’m glad you enjoyed your visit to Connecticut. You really saw a lot. Did you stop by the RJ Julia Bookstore or Amato’s Toy Store in Middletown? Thanks for your impressions. It’s nice to see others confirm what some of us have been saying here for years. Jay

It's always a pleasure to visit Connecticut and uncover new sites, hidden gems, and also re-discover places that I thought I knew, and then have a new perspective. I love independent bookstores, but I didn't make it to RJ Julia or Amato's, so I'll have them on my radar for my next visit.

Sometimes when I surf through various sub-forums on C-D and I pick up that interest could be waning on the site or that the same tiresome discussion points are being recycled and sometimes it can get a bit myopic. But I don't get that sense here and it's nice to see that the CT sub-forum still has a lot of activity and discussion on a different array of topics. It seems that many of the residents there have a vested interest in the state and their communities.

[SteveM85]

Originally Posted by Champ le monstre du lac

It seems that many of the residents there have a vested interest in the state and their communities.

That's the understatement of the centruy Le Monstre. The CT forum regulars here live, sleep and die CT. Their unbridled passion and energy for the state knows no boundaries. I'm serious, and it's not just here online, it's also out in everyday life. If I could count the times people always say words like - we're so blessed, paradise, our forever home, love, OMG love this place, it's unreal.
BobNJ and some Floridians may come on now and then and say thousands are fleeing, and while that's true that thousands will leave for lower taxes, Jesus, and guns, there are 2.5 million give or take that aren't moving an inch, not one muscle, no way.

[Champ le monstre du lac]

Originally Posted by SteveM85

That's the understatement of the centruy Le Monstre. The CT forum regulars here live, sleep and die CT. Their unbridled passion and energy for the state knows no boundaries. I'm serious, and it's not just here online, it's also out in everyday life. If I could count the times people always say words like - we're so blessed, paradise, our forever home, love, OMG love this place, it's unreal..

And to that I would say this is what C-D and the world needs more of Steve. I appreciate local pride, and moreover being able to discuss it without the accusation of rosie glasses or having your head being buried in the sand. It's more than okay to acknowledge, yeah we have problems here like anywhere but all things considered, life is really good here and we love it. I can totally get onboard with that.

[Stylo]

Chester is adorable. Have you been to Essex?

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by Champ le monstre du lac

It's always a pleasure to visit Connecticut and uncover new sites, hidden gems, and also re-discover places that I thought I knew, and then have a new perspective. I love independent bookstores, but I didn't make it to RJ Julia or Amato's, so I'll have them on my radar for my next visit.

Sometimes when I surf through various sub-forums on C-D and I pick up that interest could be waning on the site or that the same tiresome discussion points are being recycled and sometimes it can get a bit myopic. But I don't get that sense here and it's nice to see that the CT sub-forum still has a lot of activity and discussion on a different array of topics. It seems that many of the residents there have a vested interest in the state and their communities.

Book Barn in Niantic is the used book mecca of CT (and maybe New England).

[WouldLoveTo]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Book Barn in Niantic is the used book mecca of CT (and maybe New England).

And there are three or four of them. I was down there last weekend but didn’t get a chance to stop in one.