Tree Swallow RiverQuest Sunset Cruise

When I learned about this sunset cruise, I knew it was something we had to check out. We were told that at sunset thousands of tree swallows return to a certain area to sleep for the night. They fly around for a while before bedding down. They swoop and circle and dart all around which to people appears to be in random style--no particular formation, no leader, barely missing each other as they do their evening dance, though I do believe I saw a couple make slight contact, but not enough to stop them.

Getting to their location took about an hour on the river, but we were treated to many other bird sightings along the way and the taste of the life on the river. This blog will once again be mostly made up of the photos.

The other birds:

Other views from the river:

These final pictures were the reason for the trip. Sadly, this blog doesn't appear to let me post the video I took. As the swallows start appearing, you had to have binoculars (which were provided) to see them. I was a little frustrated at first when some people were saying, "Wow. Look at all of them!" Eventually I was able to see them. They came from different directions in different groups and many of them flew right over us. They do all kinds of maneuvers  or acrobatics or who knows what because to our human eyes it's just a wonder how they don't all crash into each other and we could see no rhyme or reason to the movements or we were not able to decipher their path, if there was any.

We were told to watch carefully as all of a sudden they position themselves and all at once drop down into the reeds below to rest for the night and sure enough, that is what they did. It was an interesting look at how these creatures of God have their little routine that provided us with curiosity and enjoyment.

In the pictures that look like just the sky, look for the little dots--those are the swallows.

These are the reeds they nest in.

Note all the little dots....all constantly moving and eventually grouping together before they drop down.

Steam train ride, Riverboat ride and Iwo Jima Memorial

Today we took our grandson to the Essex Steam train and Riverboat ride. I am going to break this down into different categories. First, the guys enjoyed the model train display.

The grounds

The Ride

 On the way back, we were going backwards and had an awesome view of the tracks from our seats.

Then the Special Surprise

The train worker invited Kayden to stand with him (showing him where to hold on) to get a close up view of the tracks. That wasn't all, when they had to give the signal that the tracks were clear after stopping, he let Kayden blow the train whistle three times. No other kids got that special treatment today. That was so special, especially since this kid loves trains. 

The scenery from the train

We saw a deer in one of the fields.

They were very close!

Then there was the advertisements in the train

Next was the Riverboat ride

Don't you just love that everyone always waves to people in trains and boats. Imagine if we did that in cars.....

These are mixture of coming and going from the boat.

Scenery from the boat

Gillette Castle which my girl friend and I went to a few weeks ago.

At the tippy top of the right branch, there is a bird zoomed in several pictures below.

I was taking the scenery and didn't notice this boat and passengers. Then I realized why some guys on our boat were asking for the boat to turn around.  :)

 The Birds

 The guys like the train best, but I liked the river boat with all the birds I got to see.

IWO JIMA

On our way home we stopped at Connecticut's tribute to Iwo Jima. We had seen it from the highway and one day George stopped and had told me how nice it was. This was mine and Kayden's first time. I highly recommend stopping to take the time to see it. I might go back one day when it's not so hot to better appreciate it.

I didn't realize that I was in the reflection. Yes, I was there today.

Eternal flame