An Autumn Day of Leaf Peeping in Connecticut

October 10, 2015
Litchfield Hills, CT

Vista from the high point of Mohawk State Forest in Cornwall, CT

Now that we're back in the land of the four seasons, when October hit, we were simply itching to take in some of the fall foliage for which New England is justifiably famous.  For the better part of two weeks, we discussed the merits of various locales in New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, researching fall color maps in conjunction with prime foliage destinations appropriate for a day trip from NYC, in search of the best destination for the particular weekend we chose.  We had originally rented a car but when we learned that friends Brian and Richelle were planning to do the same thing on the same weekend, we ditched the rental and rode along in their car instead.

When Saturday arrived, Brian and Richelle picked us up, bright and early, at the subway station near their apartment in Long, Island City, Queens, and the four of us set off in their comfortable VW sedan.  Leaving the hustle and bustle and early morning traffic of the city behind us, we headed straight for the northwestern corner of Connecticut known as the Litchfield Hills.  All of my painstaking research paid off and we were treated to an abundance of stunningly vibrant changing leaves in gorgeous hues of red, yellow and orange.  Success!

Washington Depot, CT

Litchfield Hills, CT

Mohawk State Forest, Cornwall, CT

We spent an enjoyable day with our friends touring the pleasantly rural back roads of Connecticut, passing through quaint little towns populated with lovely, steepled and whitewashed churches and charming homes, with a mill and a country barn thrown in for good measure.

Washington Depot, CT

The picturesque, winding roads of North Kent, CT

Upon reaching Mohawk State Forest, we enjoyed taking in the brightly colored scenic vistas. 

Autumnal beauty in Mohawk State Forest

Autumnal beauty in Mohawk State Forest

Autumnal beauty in Mohawk State Forest

Autumnal beauty in Mohawk State Forest

The weather was a bit chilly but we followed up our vista-viewing with a brief hike through the leaf-carpeted woods.

Mohawk State Forest

As the afternoon wore on, we stopped off at Hogan's Cider Mill for a light snack.

Hogan's Cider Mill in Burlington, CT

As luck would have it (ok, there was no luck involved - that's what smartphones are for!), Hogan's was selling moist, cake-like apple cider donuts along with their own apple cider and hard cider, both of which were available on the counter for tasting, on a serve-yourself basis, by anyone who stumbled upon it.

Sampling the hard cider at Hogan's Cider Mill in Burlington, CT

Upon tasting, we opted not to buy any of the hard cider, as it seemed more reminiscent of prison hooch (not that I've ever been to prison, mind you...) than the typical, tasty hard cider I've had at bars in the past and it really packed a punch!  Thanks, but no thanks. 

However, we did purchase a half gallon of the tasty apple cider to complement our four donuts, which we enjoyed while standing in the sunshine, drinking our cider out of the tiny tasting cups, since we had nothing larger on hand.  

Enjoying our cider and donuts in the parking lot at Hogan's

After our cider and donuts, we were hungry for something a bit more substantial and found ourselves at a cute little tapas and wine bar.

Stopping for some yummy tapas and wine at Francesca's in Collinsville, CT

We enjoyed a light meal of several tapas plates shared over a lovely bottle of California Zinfandel.  After our meal, we squeezed in a little more leaf peeping just before the sun began it's daily journey to the horizon and we witnessed the vibrant hues begin to fade in the dusk.  

Dusk in Norfolk, CT - Photo by Brian Gist

I must confess that I felt a bit melancholy as we watched the brilliant colors disappear into the darkness.  But it was a long and satisfying day spent with good friends and as night fell, we headed for home, back to the city.  With any luck, I can convince Scott to venture to Pennsylvania for more fall foliage in a couple of weeks...

More photos:

Scenic Litchfield Hills, CT - Photo by Brian Gist

Washington Depot, CT - Photo by Richelle Gist

Washington Depot, CT

Washington Depot, CT - Richelle and me, posing happily, either right before or right after we sat on the fence behind us, causing it to come crashing down beneath us, and nearly sending us tumbling to our deaths in the steep ravine below (disclaimer: this may be a slight exaggeration of the facts).  Brian came rushing to Richelle's aid, while Scott checked on the fence, putting it back together. Good times.

Litchfield Hills, CT

North Kent, CT

North Kent, CT - Photo by Bran Gist

Litchfield Hills, CT

Mohawk State Forest, Cornwall, CT

Mohawk State Forest

Mohawk State Forest - Photo by Brian Gist

Mohawk State Forest

Mohawk State Forest

Mohawk State Forest

Mohawk State Forest

Mohawk State Forest - Photo by Richelle Gist

Mohawk State Forest

Nature's autumnal carpet at Mohawk State Forest

Mohawk State Forest

Hiking in Mohawk State Forest

Hogan's Cider Mill

Hogan's Cider Mill - Photo by Brian Gist 

Pumpkins for sale at Hogan's Cider Mill

The colorful hills of charming downtown Collinsville,CT

Litchfield Hills, CT - Photo by Brian Gist

Litchfield Hills, CT

A last gasp of color at dusk in Norfolk, CT - Photo by Brian Gist

Farewell, Litchfied Hills, until we meet again...