ctnow.com: Views Of A River Sublime

Views Of A River Sublime

By MELISSA LAFLAMME
ctnow.com

April 11 2006

GLASTONBURY -- Motorists who make the daily commute over Putnam Bridge may find the view of the Connecticut River to be rather ordinary. But just a few miles away at Earle Park in Glastonbury, Mother Nature serves up a spectacular visual of the river and its surrounding landscape.

Earle Park encompasses 48 acres of forested hills, babbling streams and towering bluffs overlooking the Connecticut River. Located behind the Connecticut Audubon Society, the town park is a place I had never visited in all the years I grew up in Glastonbury, and it's less than a mile from my home. What I found there is a hidden treasure, a haven of solitude amid the balance of nature.

Dirt trails blanketed with leaves first lead visitors over wooden bridges and through the thickly wooded hills. Jutting tree roots, rocks, and fallen tree trunks make the trails more challenging further into the park. Beginner to intermediate hikers will enjoy the constant variation in terrain.

Nature lovers can immerse themselves in the peaceful sounds of birds chirping, water trickling and leaves rustling. Every so often as I walked, I'd catch the sight of leaves floating gently in the air, caught in tiny whirlwinds.

A turn off the main trail leads to a worn-out path encircling a pond. The path ends at a brook that seems to twist and turn through every corner of the park. The pond, called Tom's Pond, is nestled behind a row of tall, bushy pine trees and is home to much of the park's wildlife. There is evidence of beavers here. The animals have marked their territory with gnawed trees and piles of sticks that dam the waters.

Ducks of all kinds reside in this part of the park, gliding together across the pond . The ducks don't seem prejudice toward each other when it comes to bathing and eating from the murky, green water.

Near the river's edge, all the waterways appear to connect , as a few streams move swiftly over rocks and others trickle into the Holland Brook River.

The highlight of Earle Park is the bluffs. They provide a stunning panorama of the Connecticut River.

It's not easy to find a wide-open spot along the river's edge, but with a little rustling through the vegetation, it's not impossible. And the effort is worth it. From the shore, the river is massive and sublime. Water and forest stretch as far as the eye can see.

Bring a camera. This perspective of the state's major waterway is worth capturing.

Hikers should plan to wear comfortable walking shoes. Finding your way around the park does not require a map; the trails are well worn from nature lovers. Trails are available for hiking, cross-country skiing and horse-back riding. And dogs are permitted.

Earle Park can be found at 1361 Main Street, Glastonbury. The park opens daily at sunrise and closes a half hour before sunset. Parking is free. There is no entrance fee. More information at: www.ctaudubon.org/visit/glastonbury.htm

About the writer: Melissa LaFlamme, a senior at Central Connecticut State University, is toiling away this semester as an intern for ctnow.com.