The Rockville Rocket

A water ski show, a sunflower festival, beach plans, meteor gazing, all had to be altered due to the weather today. Still the urge to do "something" was there, and fortunately  I happened across an exhibit in Vernon honoring Connecticut's own Gene Pitney. We knew he was from Rockville (a village of Vernon) and were glad we found this temporary exhibit. It was amazing.

If you are a Gene Pitney fan, this is a must see. We couldn't believe all the memorabilia that had been saved and collected. Although we always liked his music, we never realized just how many albums he had made and how many songs he had written, not only for himself but for others.

I loved seeing his handwritten original creations of his songs. That is what impressed me the most--to see the actual beginnings of great things.

There is a juke box filled with just Gene Pitney songs.

Memorabilia from his high school was on display and even some people who he went to high school were there, part of the committee who saved this collection. We learned he and George had two things in common--both were in the Air Force and both were treasurers of their high school class. George likes to sing too. 

 As a bonus, we had the pleasure of meeting Gene Pitney's sister and her son who happened to be checking it out at the same time we were. 

 Amazing all the artists at one show.

 A thank you from Dick Clark.

I used to love 16 magazine and Tiger Beat (not shown).

Again, amazing all the acts at one place.

We were glad we checked this out. The exhibit is only on display until August 18 at the Arts Center East, 709 Hartford Turnpike in Vernon. There is a $10. suggested donation.

Connecticut in Word War I (and more)

After our hike to Shade Swamp Nature Trail (previous blog post), we visited Sonic to change in their restrooms and refresh ourselves. We had to buy something, so we tried their mini cinnamon bites with cream cheese frosting to dip them in. Yummy! We had to buy something, right?

From there we went to the Connecticut Historical Society to see the special exhibit on Connecticut in World War I. George's father served as an ambulance driver and we are always looking for pictures of horse drawn ambulances, but there wasn't any this time.

George's Dad had training at Camp Gordon and then he went to Upton. From there he went to serve in France. He said his dad was at Camp Gordon at the same time as Alvin York, who was later awarded the medal of honor for his heroism at Chateau-Thierry. George doesn't think they ever met. George's Dad was in the 327th infantry. Alvin York was in the 328th.

George's Dad was at Chateau-Thierry and Verdon.

Some interesting posters:

It's an interesting exhibit.

From there we decided to visit a place we stumbled upon years ago, Mickey's Oceanic Grill in East Hartford. They have some pretty darn good fish and chips. They have been in business since 1953!

This sign inside became a discussion about grammar. George informs me you can only take home dinner. You can't bring it home.

As if we didn't have enough fun in one day, we came home and loaded up the new little library we got for our local swimming area and took it down to them. That was enough excitement for one day.

Shade Swamp Nature Trail

Today's adventure started out at Shade Swamp Nature Trail in Farmington. This shelter was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934 and is actually listed on the National Register of Historic places. Who would have guessed by looking at it?

We were attracted here because I read it was the site of an abandoned zoo. Upon research, it was actually a wildlife rehabilitation center, also built by the CCC. Opened in 1934 by the CT Dept. of Fish and Game, it was originally intended as a place to care for injured birds and animals and then release them into the wild. It was nicknamed the Farmington Zoo.

When people heard about the "zoo", they often tried to bring their exotic pets which they no longer wanted like monkeys and alligators. One stranded carnival even tried to leave a baby giraffe.

In 1934 the CT Dept. of Fish and Game also used it as a breeding place for racoons and rabbits. These experiments ended in late 1930's. The place was officially abandoned in the 1960's.

The cages remain. I am glad the poor animals were rehabbed and hopefully weren't in them long because they were quite small. One source suggested the place was haunted.

The cages are all at the beginning of the blue blazed trail. We decided to walk the supposedly 1.2 mile loop--sure felt longer. It was a narrow path and there were no rewarding views  but I always take the time to see small things that interest me and following are some photos of things that intrigued me a little.

A side note, on the way back, we came to a fork and we didn't agree on which one to take. So, we did the unthinkable. We each took a different route. We spoke to each other as we went our separate ways and they wound around and joined together--thankfully. I guess his was a tad shorter, but mine had the blue markings.

Only a foot wide.

We had to walk under this fallen tree.

There is a swamp out there.

Another tree to go under--there were ones to go over too.

Cute little flowers.

Been there done that.