#cttrails

[coachvinfram-blog]

Happy Monday! Let’s get after it! 😎👊🏻🤘 #roadrunner #nikerunning #niketrailrunning #trainepic #beepic #trailrunning #trailracing #ctraces #ctrunning #runningseries #Suunto #optoutside #ultratraining #cttrailrunning #cttrails #run #runct #trailrace #spartanup #suuntospartan #5ktraining

[havekiddoswilltravel]

Exploring White Memorial Conservation - A Family Friendly Hike in CT

It’s Spring Break in New England and Have Kiddos Will Travel is kicking off a series of field trip Wednesday posts and trip reports. We’ll be exploring the New England region (and beyond) and welcome your suggestions and ideas of kid friendly locations for day trips or overnights. 

Today’s adventure brought us to a family friendly hike at White Memorial Conservation in Litchfield, CT. We joined friends for breakfast, a hike and ice-cream while pretending that it actually felt like spring in New England.

After a longer than usual winter and fresh snow just one day ago (seriously it’s spring folks), it was so good for our souls to get outdoors for a hike and nature study.

White Memorial offers 40 Miles of Trails – which are maintained and are free of charge for hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and other outdoor activities. The most popular trail is the Little Pond, or “Boardwalk,” and this is the one that we explored with our friend and her two kids. 

Stunning views on the Little Pond or Boardwalk trail. Kid 4 kept telling me that he wants to return with his papi. I bet this would be a stunning place to watch the sunset and thus, I see a future dusk trip in our future.

The White Memorial Conservation also has three trails with interpretive signage or materials: the Trail of the Senses (which also has braille signs), the Interpretive Nature Trail, and the Ice House Trail. How cool is that? I’m so impressed with the accessibility of this CT trail system.  

Kid 4 walked the majority of the 3.1 mile trail and went at his own pace. We saw turtles, birds and other small children hiking with parents and grandparents. 

These two buddies had a blast looking for trail markers and enjoying fresh air.

We followed these directions from the parking lot near the welcome center and museum, in order to find the Little Pond Trail. It was a total of 3.1 miles round trip and perfect for families with young children. It’s possible to shorten the hike, by parking near the Little Pond Trail rather than at the welcome center.

After a couple of hours exploring nature, we headed to Arethusa for some farm fresh ice cream. If you’ve never tried their ice cream, I highly recommend a road trip out to Lichfield County.

Parking is located behind the building.

The Arethusa retail store is quintessential New England at is best. The employee was so patient and helpful, as our combined six kids took their time deciding what they wanted to order. The kids took part in their calf naming contest. Families looking to learn more about dairy farms should visit on a Saturday and enjoy their Open Barn Saturday program. 

Our kids participated in Arethusa’s calf naming contest and had a blast coming up with “k” names for Karlie’s calf.

If time permits, check out these other family friendly things to do in the Litchfield area.

- Check out the daffodil fields and have a picnic in the area. 

- Enjoy a trail or pony ride at Windfield Morgan Farm. 

- Learn about the Art of Taxidermy at the White Memorial Museum.

About Ruth: I’m a wife and mami of 4 active and globe-trotting kiddos. I’ve always loved a good adventure and truly believe that it’s possible to travel with kids. Join me, as I share our adventures and inspire you to get out of the house with your kiddos. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, a road trip or a trip of a lifetime to an exotic destination, I’ll share insights, trip reports and information that will inspire you. Check back often to stay up to date on things to do with kids at your next travel destination.

[sirrusray]

Green Falls Gorge Voluntown, CT

[orbemnews]

State kicks off hiking challenge to promote local parks and forests (WFSB) — The Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection is celebrating the beginning of spring with a hiking challenge. The 2021 Sky’s the Limit Hiking Challenge encourages folks to get out and enjoy Connecticut’s state parks and forests. It began back in 2015, and this year’s challenge features 20 trails across the state. “I mean, we’re really happy. As soon as the sun came out, I was like, ‘alright, we’re going for a walk,'” said Shannon Burton.  Those who complete the challenge will receive a medallion and certificate to commemorate their accomplishment. “Sky’s the Limit is a great way to explore Connecticut’s state parks and forests while joining others in a friendly challenge to visit all 20 locations handpicked by those who know the parks best – the staff of our state parks system,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “Our state parks and forests, which are free to enter for those driving Connecticut registered vehicles thanks to the Passport to the Parks program, are such tremendous resources for us in this state, and their importance was underscored in 2020 by the significant increase in usage we saw due to the pandemic. We anticipate that will continue this spring and summer, and the Sky’s the Limit Challenge is a great way to get acquainted, or re-acquainted with many of our wonderful state parks.” 2021 Sky’s the Limit Hiking Challenge Locations: 1. Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill 2. Lovers Leap State Park, New Milford 3. Silver Sands State Park, Milford 4. Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison 5. Black Rock State Park, Torrington 6. Chatfield Hollow State Park, Killingworth 7. Collis P. Huntington State Park, Bethel, Newtown & Redding 8. Southford Falls State Park, Oxford 9. Wharton Brook State Park, Wallingford 10. Wadsworth Falls State Park, Middletown 11. Peoples State Forest, Barkhamsted 12. Ferry Landing State Park (DEEP Marine Headquarters), Old Lyme 13. Kent Falls State Park, Kent 14. Cockaponset State Forest, Chester & Haddam 15. Sherwood Island State Park, Westport 16. Devil’s Hopyard State Park, East Haddam 17. Stratton Brook State Park, Simsbury 18. Salmon River State Forest, Colchester 19. Osbornedale State Park, Derby 20. Rocky Neck State Park, East Lyme For more information, including maps, click here. Copyright 2021 WFSB (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '471524917159477'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link Orbem News #challenge #Connecticut #cthikes #cttrails #deep #fleet #forest #forests #geology #hikes #Hiking #kicks #local #Outdoors #Park #parks #promote #state #stateparks #trail #transports

[misty-sea-breeze]

Fall foliage is my favorite, so I’m very blessed and fortunate to be able to enjoy this beautiful and sunny autumn day! It feels so good to be back in my element. #cttrails #autumn #trailrunning #trailrunner #ultratraining #cttrailmixers #soundrunnerct #runnersofinstagram #instarunner #marathontraining #photogram #instagram #colorful #picturesque #lifeincolor #personaltrainer #lifeinmotion https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpve9PiArOk/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1wnmu99ikw1vw

[rahrah628]

"Not all who wander are lost" . Took this 📸picture on my ⛰#Hike at #HubbardPark!! This park was wonderful ☀️summer 🌲🌿🌻🌱#greenery and some pretty gnarly 🏔#Trails too! It was a tough start, and I almost quit a few times, but once I got into my 💪🏼#FitGirl groove, I was on cloud ☁️😇 nine!! Finishing this trail made me feel super accomplished and #motivated! Hellz ya!! ✨💪🏼#FitGirlPower! . . #28dayjumpstart #FitGirlsVarsity #FitGirlsGuide #FitGirlsHike #FitGirlsWorkout #FitGirlsDontQuit #FitGirlsWorld #FitGirlTrails #CTTrails #TrailBlazer (at Hubbard Park)

[individualelements]

Case Mountain with @gabibrii_fit . . . . . #happiness #radiatelove #goals #dream #friends #dog #penelope #hiking #trails #cttrails #adventure #explore #travel #gypsysoul #wanderlust #unicorn #glitter #magic #girltalk #snow #noexcuses #fitness #motivation #inspiration #instagood (at Case Mountain)

[tangledupinblue]

Mattabesett Trail Part 6 cont’d:

[randomhikingadventures]

Nipmuck Trail Part 1 cont’d

[coachvinfram-blog]

No wonder why I feel like crap today! I definitely need to get more sleep. 🤔 Thought I was getting at least 6 hours a night all week, but didn’t realize how long it was taking me to fall asleep, and how much I was waking up! 👎 Good sleep is #1 for running, performance, and health. So I definitely need to reprioritize this! 😎 #summerrunning #ctrunning #trailrunning #trailracing #ctraces #runningseries #Suunto #optoutside #ultratraining #cttrailrunning #cttrails #run #runct #trailrace #spartanup #suuntospartan #5ktraining #windingtrailseries https://www.instagram.com/p/BnUGfBUFIUx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=updrre80fer3

[roadtripnewengland]

Just Pinned to Connecticut: Visit Connecticut (@CTvisit) | June 1-2 is Connecticut Trails Day, with over 240 events around the state! Find a place to hike, explore and discover for yourself, See you on the trail! @CTwoodlands #CTtrails #CTvisit https://t.co/2EcEyxZTAR https://t.co/xpllt9wHlP

Just Pinned to Connecticut: Visit Connecticut (@CTvisit) | June 1-2 is Connecticut Trails Day, with over 240 events around the state! Find a place to hike, explore and discover for yourself, See you on the trail! @CTwoodlands #CTtrails #CTvisit https://t.co/2EcEyxZTAR pic.twitter.com/xpllt9wHlP

— RoadTrip_NewEngland (@RNewengland) May 22, 2019

from Twitter https://twitter.com/RNewengland

[avalauryn]

#handstandeveryday #handstanddaily #trailrunning #cttrails (at Kenilworth Forest)

[randomhikingadventures]

Nipmuck Trail Part 1:

Today we started the Nipmuck Trail. The trail head starts at 100-202 Puddin Lane, Mansfield Center, CT and the first section ends at the Historical Society, 954 Storrs Rd., Storrs, Mansfield, CT.

This section of the trail is 5.2 miles and is fairly easy and relatively flat. There are a couple of small hills and some great rock formations including Wolf Rock. There is a small brook for a good portion of the trail. We had ice and snow so it was extra magical.

Adventurers included: Dana, Bryan, Jes & Logan

[coachvinfram-blog]

Definitely put in the hard work today with the Prep fellas 👊🏻🤘. . . #heynowprep #summerrunning #ctrunning #trainepic #trailrunning #trailracing #ctraces #runningseries #Suunto #optoutside #ultratraining #cttrailrunning #cttrails #run #runct #trailrace #spartanup #suuntospartan #5ktraining #cttrailmixers #windingtrailseries #suuntorun https://www.instagram.com/p/BnMH83EFWGx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=xh21d08n9st7

[nots0cliche]

Successful family hike yesterday! #hikect #castlecraig #cttrails (at Hubbard Park (Castle Craig))

[softfaggot]

Minor detour on the way home. Whatever I could use some cardio. #MBK #MountainBiking #jokes #cttrails