Hi guys
Here is the basic route we will be taking for those of you that would like to join us.
This is really beautiful cruising country,
Thanks and hope to see old friends & meet new ones.
Frank & Rico, hope you can still make it,
Charlie My friend I Hope you can get away for this.
A RAIN DATE for July 1st has been set
syot
Willie
Starting at The K-9 Depot (144 Main Street Route 44 New Hartford CT 06057) we will take a RIGHT out of the driveway heading WEST on Route 44. We will pass the small but somewhat historic Town of New Hartford there are many beautiful homes and the town is quite quaint it is also located along the Farmington River.
Take a RIGHT onto Route 181 (River Road) Barkhamsted follow to the stop sign and take a RIGHT following Route 181 over an old metal bridge. Follow Route 181 until we come to Route 318 (heading towards Bradley Airport) it will be a RIGHT turn about 2 miles from where we last turned. We will follow this road for about 1 mile and we come to an awesome view of two Reservoirs one above the other with the road in the middle, this is also an excellant location for spotting BALD EAGLES so bring your cameras we may get lucky.
After spending some time here we will head back the way we came originally backtracking Route 318 to 181. When we cross the metal bridge we will GO STRAIGHT at the stop sign. This road will bring us to ROUTE 44 and we will TURN RIGHT onto ROUTE 44 heading WEST.
We will following ROUTE 44 until we get to the ROUTE 8 SOUTH ON-RAMP.
Just a side note: Before we get to the ON-RAMP there will be a STOP n SHOP on the left and inside is a STARBUCKS :>) also there is a gas station in the parking lot and their gas prices are always pretty good, even cheaper if you have a STOP n SHOP card. This may bea good location for those who need to "top off" their tanks..Gas throughout the Litchfield CT area can be quite pricey since you are out in the middle of nowhere they "get ya". :>)
We will follow ROUTE 8 SOUTH until we get to the exit for ROUTE 118, take this exit and stay to the RIGHT following ROUTE 118 utill we get to the LITCHFIELD GREEN. At this point you may either opt to stop at the GREEN where there are Antique/gift/etc shops OR take a RIGHT onto ROUTE 63 in which we will follow to a ROTARY type INTERSECTION with our direction to be ROUTE 4 EAST I think (go to the LEFT of the Rotary/intersection) There is a really neat SMOKEHOUSE just beyond this intersection of ROUTE 63 and 4. It is called NODINES SMOKEHOUSE.
www.nodines.com it is a small place looks like a "hole in the wall" BUT there foods are shipped all over the world and are served and carried in finer establishments. They have the BEST Beef Jerkey/hams/bacons etc that you have ever tasted. You will not be dissapointed.
If we do not stop at this location we will simply take the LEFT at the the INTERSECTION/ROTARY of 63 & 4. We will follow ROUTE 4 until we get to CORNWALL CT. We will take ROUTE 128 to the CORNWALL BRIDGE. This is a covered bridge which is still in use and we will drive through it. It is one of the oldest still in use bridges in the US and was built in 1812. There are great views and a small town (very small) with a few shops.
Will depart taking ROUTE 128 back to ROUTE 7, staying on ROUTE 7 for just a bit until we get to KENT FALLS STATE PARK. This stop will most likely be the most memorable of all the stops as these Waterfalls are truley spectacular. CAMERAS are a MUST...We will take an hour or so to just enjoy the beauty of nature and to enjoy our time together.
After we leave the falls we will head LEFT out of the parking lot onto ROUTE 7 South. This will take us to the TOWN OF KENT. We will stop here for some shoppping/eating/drinking etc. It is a neat town with outside Bistros lots of Antique/Gifts Shops and many famous folks live and visit here. How much time spent here will depend on the time of day.
After we depart KENT we will head out onto ROUTE 7 SOUTH until we reach ROUTE 341 we will take a LEFT on 341 heading back to Litchfield this is a really pretty drive with winding roads and gorgeous mountian views. We will come to ROUTE 202 taking a LEFT and head back through Bantam and then back to the LITCHFILED GREEN.
If we did not stop at the GREEN in the begining we can do so at this time or if we decided to stop in the beginning then we will just make this a "stopping point" to say our goodbyes. Personally I think that we should save this for the end of the day as it will be easier to enter as a group and park somewhat together. The GREEN is a heavy traffice area and entering and leaving as a group will be tough in the begining of our trip. The entrance to the GREEN from the direction will be coming at the tail end of our JOURNEY is easy at this point.
After we leave the LITCHFIELD GREEN we will head back to ROUTE 118 taking us back to ROUTE 8 NORTH AND SOUTH. This will be an easy area for all to head back home from.
A few other side notes: There are a few Vineyards located throughout this trip and they can be easily added to the list of "things to see and do". Also as we travel and monitor our time throuhout the day we may either add or reduce time at a particular location. There is also an interesting Mining Museum very close to KENT FALLS which we may visit.
As a rule and depending on how many cars involved if we do get separated the lead car will stop at the next safest pull off so the other can get back in the "line" the last car can beep to let the next one know everyone is together etc until the lead car gets the "beep to go". We should also make sure that cell phone numbers for all involved (if they have one) are exchanged in case of an unexpected emergency/situation. Though the areas that we will be traveling are not always the best for cell phone coverage those with SPRINT, and Cingular will have the BEST coverage.
Hope to see ya at the "ROAD PARTY"....
