Thimble Islands

Thimble Islands, CT

As I was lounging around the B& B, content to just take it easy and maybe hit East Wharf Beach one last time before having the hit the road tomorrow, the innkeeper urged me to do something quirky while I was in CT. She spoke about a collection of islands off the shoreline of Branford, CT. So, after packing up my bag that contained my journal, Bible, books and an extra pair of shoes, I headed east. I first stopped at Madison Chocolates to get a taste of their truffles and grab a sandwich. Prior to being able to feel free about my day's exploration, I stopped at the post office to mail a payment for my speeding ticket. It had to be postmarked by the 15th.

I then attempted to plug a destination into Garmin. To my dismay, the device did not recognize Thimble Islands or Town Dock. So, I directed the tool to find Branford, CT. I got to the town, but finding the dock was a different story. Eventally, the map helped me find the miniscule location. I parked and walked to the dock that was only big enough for three boats to load at one time. The Thimble Island cruise was a hidden secret about which only the locals seem to know.

The Timble Islands consist of about 100 islands. There are approximately 95 houses and 100 families living on the islands. All houses are only used in the summer. Wild Thimbleberries were prolific on the islands at one point, hence the name.

I boarded the boat with a group of retired tourists. Most of them stayed below, so I climbed the ladder to the upper deck and plopped down beside a New York couple. They have lived in New York for their life and never knew about the islands. The wife kept telling me that this is one of the best trips she has taken and I was lucky to happen upon it. It was fun and very unique. The only complaint I had was that the New York couple stood up and blocked the view the entire trip. Trying to manipulate shots around two bodies was an interesting trick.

Thimble Islands were used by the Mattabesec Indians to fish during the summer months. In 1614, Adrian Block discovered the islands. Colonists used the islands for sheep grazing, boatbuilding and granite quarrying. Eventually, by the late 1800's the islands became a popular summer destination for city folks. Now all the islands are privately owned. Some are large enough to contain about 25 houses. Others are only big enough for one house or a seagull breeding ground.

All of the islands have interesting names, but I cannot seem to connect my pictures with the names.

One island is known as Little Pumpkin Island because the islanders held a pumpkin growing contest in the mid-1900s The one island is credited with providing the smallest pumpkin.

Mother-in-Law island has an interesting story. A couple was married on one of the bigger islands. They then rowed over to a smaller island for their honeymoon night. The bride's mother felt it necessary to row over and check on them. While on the island, she fell asleep. The newly married couple took her boat and theirs and left her on the island.

Gazebo Island is so small that the owner was not permitted to build a house. He did get permission to build a gazebo. In the summer's, he docked a houseboat to his island so he could live by the island. The island is now for sale.

Money Island has the reputation of being the home of Captain Kidd. It is said that he hid his treasure on the islands. From Money Island, he had a great vantage point of Long Island Sound and boarded every boat to take their gold and silver.

See the sites listed below for additional information.

Wheeler Island


Cut-in-Two East


Cut-in-Two West (Once occupied by Tom Thumb of circus fame)

Little Governor's Island

Seagull Breeding Ground The gray chicks in the foreground are a couple of months old. This island used to house a Victorian house until the hurricane of 1938.

Branford, CT' site about the islands.

http://www.branford-ct.gov/History/Thimble%20Island.htm

A photographer's site about the islands.

http://www.outtakes.com/thimble/thimblestne.html

A site about the captain who gave the tour today.

http://www.thimbleislandcruise.com/about.html

Historical article from 1970

http://www.thimbleislandcruise.com/about.html

2008 article - detailed.

http://www.soundingsonline.com/features/destinations/140-thimble-islands-conn

Frames or Fences

Fence in port town of Branford, CT

Weston Priory Chapel - Weston, VT

Fence of Stonington, CT lighthouse

Plants

Lighthouses

West Haven, CT (Two for the price of one)

Stonington, CT

Lighthouse light
Rhode Island bridge crossing

Massachusetts Lighthouse 1

Massachusetts Lighthouse 2

Rhode Island Trek

Today I planned to go to Rhode Island to walk a couple of labyrinths. It was a lovely drive and I was amazed by the man made structures that enabled humans to get from one part of the state to another.

The journey took me to the edge of Newport, RI, the heart of an ocean playground for those that have. Driving a few country roads, I saw beautiful landscaping and lovely homes. As I approached the first labyrinth, I was unable to find a parking spot. Thus I shied away and decided to hit Newport and look at a few mansions from decades past. Oh my gosh!!! This was not a leisurely adventure. The roads were wall to wall cars and pedestrians were everywhere. Not only did I need to keep an eye out for oncoming traffic, but for people who were conversing rather than watching for potential danger. I felt the blood pressure rising and decided I was not meant to stop and gawk at the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Rather, I drove Ocean Drive and took the opportunity to stop and see the water. I preferred the natural wonders to the man made anyway.

I also happened upon a kite flying extravaganza. The closer I got, I realized that the larger kites were controlled with ropes. Some of them were the size of a small car. Due to the amount of traffic, I could not stop and get ideal pictures. The one below will give you the idea.

After dealing with the traffic of a high tourist area, it got to be after 4. I had a 2 hour trip back to the CT B&B, so I decided that was all of Rhode Island this trip. If I return, I'll look for something that is a hidden gem.

Life of the Sea

Apparently, the whales were feeding further south than was typical. The trek out to them took about 2 hours. Good thing I did not do this from Rhode Island!!! Passengers, especially the kids, became antsy and questioned whether the company would successfully offer us the visions we desired. People started noticing flukes at a distance and the energy level mounted. Crew members were contacted in order to get the boat headed in the correct direction, but our novice eyes were making flukes out of white caps caused by our boat and other whale watch boats.

Then we approached an area that was occupied by two humpback whales working together to feed. Generally, humpbacks are solitary mammals, but they know a good thing when they see it. These two whales cooperated to keep a school of fish in their midst. Everyone started snapping pictures, including yours truly. It led to deep frustration on my part. First, the enthusiasm of watching the giants surface drove adjacent viewers to point and reach, providing perfect shots of sleeves and fingers. Eventually, the idea of getting whale pictures created a sense of reality and the line of vision was no longer blocked. Though the other spectators got a better grasp on viewing decorum, the digital camera did seem to work at a snail's pace. I would get a shot of a back and by the time my camera was finished processing the less impressive picture, the flukes had already exited the water surface and reentered. I was never so tempted to contribute trash to the sea. If the strap had not been wrapped around my wrist, I think the technological wonder would have found a watery home. While I was making failed attempts to negotiate with my instrument, three more whales joined the hunt. Five humpbacks were corralling their live food and I was striving to coordinate the timing of the whales with the timing of my camera. Argh!!! I got a few shots that I'll treasure, but the next time I go whale watching, I will have a different photographic tool!
We spent a good 30 minutes following this group. I am sure that if the whales had cared, they would have gotten a great laugh watching these puny beings shuffle from side to side in an effort to get the best vantage point. It was dizzying not only due to my movement, but due to the boat turning to be sure the whales were viewable from the port or bow rather than the stem or stern.
Eventually I got the last image above and felt I had a modicum of success.

Yet, the adventure was far from over. Our crew had gotten word a momma and her calf were playing at the surface. We headed their way because the momma, Niles, was the guide's favorite whale. This calf had been her third.

These two were not in the process of feeding. They were playing and frolicking in the water. There was an abundance of seaweed in the area, so one game was kelping. The mammals would push the seaweed up with their snouts. The calf also spent some time rolling around in the seaweed. At one point, Niles rolled onto her back and slapped the water with her fins. It was delightful.
I believe my favorite part of the excursion was witnessing Nile interactions with her offspring. She was gentle and encouraging as she introduced different activities to her baby. The compassion was touching. I would imagine that that emulates the type of relationship God desires to have with us. He is our gentle guide and role model. He is much larger than us and yet does not tower over us as he witnesses the choices we make. It filled me with warmth!