On our last sightseeing day in Connecticut, we drove south to the the town of Groton, located on the Thames River. It is the home of General Dynamics Electric Boat, which is the major contractor for submarine work for the United States Navy. The Naval Submarine Base New London is also located in Groton.
We visited the US Navy Submarine Force Museum. The museum ,operated by the US Navy, is home to some of the world’s finest submarine artifacts. The displays were very interesting but the highlight of the museum was the USS Nautilus(1954-1980). It was the first submarine that could stay underwater for long periods of time. Ken and I climbed aboard the USS Nautilus for a self-guided tour. I saw a sign stating that the tour could take 35-40 minutes. I was a little unsure about being in the very small, tight, close quarters. We climbed down a stairway into the sub and through the various chambers. As we walked the narrow hallway we got a view of the control, dining and bunk areas. It was hard to imagine that 11 officers and 105 enlisted men had worked and lived in such a small area. For me, I was happy to see the exit sign!
We stopped at The University of Connecticut at Avery Point. We walked along a path near the water and ended at the Avery Point lighthouse. The lighthouse, overlooking the Long Island Sound, was built in March 1943. The lighthouse stayed dark until May of 1944 becasue of fear of an enemy attack.
The views over Long Island Sound from Avery Point were magnificent.
In the distance, a sailboat happened by just as I was taking a shot of the New London Ledge LIghthouse. The three-story brick and granite building, completed in 1909, has eleven rooms and resides on a tiny manmade island. Individual keepers tended the light from its inception a century ago until 1939, when the U.S. Coast Guard took over. It is also rumored to be haunted by a lighthouse keeper who took his own life somewhere between the 1920s or 30s.
For me, the gem of the campus was the Branford House. It was built in 1902 as a summer house for Morton Plant, a Connecticut businessman. After his death in 1918, it was passed to his descendants who sold it for $55,000 in 1939. Soon after, it became state property and then property of the U.S. Coast Guard. Later it was turned over to the university. Today, it houses university administrative offices and is rented out for galas and other special events. The building was absolutely beautiful! It was just as beautiful as the gilded mansions in Newport!
In keeping with the style of the Branford House…the UConn police station.
Next, we drove to New London, also situated on the bank fo the Thames River. In the 1800’s it was a whaling port and today, it is the home of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
We stopped at Fort Trumbill State Park where we had some great water views. We also saw the Coast Guard Tall Ship the Eagle. I can’t imagine furling those sails!
After touring the area, we were ready for a late lunch. We headed to Noank to check out Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough…a popular lobster eaterie.
Noank is a small, picutesque village with up and down, narrow winding roads. We arrived at the restaurant to find that the parking lot was full and lots of people were standing in line waiting to order. Ken dropped me off while he waited for a parking space. We had plenty of time to look over the menu as we waited in line to order. At one point, an employee came out to inform us that they had run out of the oil used to run their lobster pots. They were waiting on a delivery and then it would be another 15-30 minutes before the pots would be heated. In the meantime, everyone in line was being limted to under 1LB of lobster. We found a seat outside unter the tented area where we had a great water view. It was a busy boating day! We ended up waiting on our food for about 45 minutes. Once, it arrived, it was delicious!
We enjoyed the Connecticut coastine with it’s little seaside villages. Postcard Perfect!
Connecticut was the last piece of our 50 states puzzle…we have officially been to all 50 US states! The northeast was the last area we needed to tour. WE DID IT!
(click on photos to see slideshow of larger images)
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