Hammonasset Camping, III
[Note: I’ll add detailed information after conferring with Nicole at a later date]
Coley and Chi spent Saturday, 6 July 2024 at the Hammonasset Beach State Park. This was his third and her second time at this campground, chosen because it is the closest ‘ocean camping site’ to their home. Their favorite location, however, remains the Boston Harbor Islands, when and if they are open AND the sites are not sold out.
This adventure has them at the Podunk #20…
The forecast called for sever rain and thunderstorms, so instead of the much larger “L-Connectent,” which takes more time to set-up, they chose the simple pop-up tent and positioned it’s center under the canopy so that water would run outward. The picnic table was also brought half-way under as well so that part would stay dry.
It never rained; not one drop.
If one does not plan for supplies ahead of time, no fear, there is a supermarket less than two-and-one-quarter-miles away. Amazingly, this is not that much longer than the length of the beach proper.
The day’s receipt, if it were to be shown, would list chicken salad, Hawaiian buns, corn chips, beer, and Gatorade.
Evening Swim
The best part about camping near the beach is that there is never a bad time to go for a dip. The first of the following three images show a few visual highlights of the walk to the shore from the site: Podunk #20. The second image containing highlighted lines shows the point where the collage pictures were taken. The only real exception would be of the opening into the large field containing the two pavilions… it’s a great look and a shame it was missed. The AccuWeather screenshot doesn’t have water temperature, but rest assured, it was extremely cold at first and then felt not of note after one minute; typical for southern New England - Long Island Sound.
Casino Yahtzee
The beautiful thing about Gen-X is that they are the last generation who knows how to live ‘off-line.’ Socializing [as if it can be done any other way] face-to-face, social drinking, and playing games is their forte, it’s natural, and it’s now a choice.
The final game played ended, per Coley’s request, unscored… but it later determined to be 449-132 in Chi’s favor. Chi owned 18 row/columns at the end for a natural 449 [no bonuses] while Nicole only picked up the one column and two rows for a natural 46 points, and she only saved face by betting up a 27-point bonus and another and only ‘Rainbow Bonus’ which netted an additional 60-points for her.
“Let’s Go!”
“Some days are infamous; they transcend time. Just as the ‘Ides of March’ is remembered for the slaying of Caesar, this night will forever be known as ‘Domination at Dusk - the Capitulation of Coley.’”
“That’s not nice.”
Extended Fun at the Beach
The ‘real feel’ was 92-degrees…
Meigs Point Nature Center
The collage shown here starts off on the bottom with a picture of the new center which was completed in 2016.
The ‘in the air’ exhibits are seen upon entering. The picture shows taxidermy placed near ythe ceiling, but they have a few cages with ____ and ____, which are quite friendly and accessible.
The ‘Water Room’ a several tanks with Rare Blue & Orange Lobsters, Baby Water Snake, Sea Turtle, Oyster Toad Fish, Whelk, Eels, Stargazer, and more.
The ‘Woods Room’ is only represented here by a taxidermized fox and coyote because they has eyes that “looked like” those of Roman and Rocky, Coley and Chi’s cats. The room does have living Snapping turtles, Praying Mantis, Northern Brown Snake, Spring Peeper Frogs, and more.
The Nature Center has a YouTube Channel where you can learn more about them; their introduction video is shown here. Their main website has a link to watch a live web cam feed of nesting osprey, thanks to the Menunkatuck Audubon Society.
”There are tons of educational programs, live videos, learning activities to download and more! Programs cover all age groups and can be used in the classroom or for homeschooling! Check it out today at www.meigspointnaturecenter.org"-Meigs Point Nature Center YouTube Channel > Virtual Learning Center
Not shown in the collage above, the ‘at the beach’ Room has more educational videos looping on screen
The ‘Woods Room’ at the Nature Center also has a satellite image of the area. It’s always interesting to see a map and be able to visually retrace the routes taken.
“I love things that also function as other things; transformers so to say. A map on the floor was a bonus. #Wicked awesome”
