Connecticut Revisited
Connecticut Revisited
Friday evening, we headed towards Niagara after a quick dinner. WY finally picked up her passport downtown (what an ordeal!) so I picked up Ewan at camp after finishing work.
At the border, there was no lineup (was around 10:30pm). The officer found out we are from Hong Kong and started to speak with us in Cantonese. He apparently also immigrated to NYC from HK around the same time as me. This was a lovely exchange which I have never experienced with a US customs agent. He even spoke about how great the Strong museum is because of all the toys there from our childhood.
The drive was smooth and we got to our hotel around midnight. We were tired but filled with excitement and anticipation.
The Strong Museum of Play:
The next day, we were up around 7 and got breakfast downstairs but ate in our room. After breakfast, we left for the museum. The Strong made some awesome upgrades since our last visit. Paw Patrol, the zip-line, Arcade and marvel comics were the most noticeable. In the morning, the museum was not crowded yet and allowed us to take our time to look at this and that. One of these things is the train ride which would normally have a long lineup.
Ewan was willing to try many things this time around like riding by himself on the carousel. We went through pretty much the whole museum and our favorite was the Arcade.
The Drive to CT:
The next day was a scorching hot day. We notice the AC in our Civic was getting weaker and weaker. Nevertheless, we gas up at a local Walmart and off we went! The drive was hilly and long. We made several several small stops to stretch out and one for an instant noodle lunch. We cooked and ate in a McDonald's parking lot in a random small town somewhere in New York state. Ewan enjoyed his instant udon noodles and we the cup noodles. Coincidenally, there was an Aldi supermarket (one of our frequented supermarket when living in CT) too cool off and bought some ice-cold drinks.
The Treehouse
The place in Wilton, CT we rented as our home for the week is nickname The Treehouse. This little two bedroom suite sits on top of a hill and is located on the second floor with tall and pointy ceiling. There is a long deck which spans the length of the suite. This deck is surrounded by tall trees of different kinds. This offers much privacy and it is pleasant to look at.
Don't bee fooled by its whimsical name, the Treehouse is highly functional. It has all sorts of things needed for comfortable living like shampoo, conditional, body wash (all from Trader's Joe), towels galore. In the kitchen, there is a propane stove (so much better than flat stove), pots, pans, knives, and best of all - a robust pantry. This little pantry has organic olive oil spray, 3 different types sugar, a few essential seasonings (black pepper, sea salt, pink salt, old spice). A new bag of Coffee is kept in the fridge as it should and coffee maker sit ready for that coffee craving.
For entertainment, there is a huge television, board-games, exercising equipment, books and comfy couches for reading or napping. With all this stuff, the Treehouse is organized and clean. The host even put phone charging cables at several location in the bedrooms. I helped myself to the noise machine which helped us sleep better at night. Detailed are thought through and taken care by the host. This is a best in class rental.
We arrived, explored the house, unpacked and put our feet up. I found many food recommendations and the one that struck us was Connecticut Coffee and Grill (CT coffee for short). We decided to go there for breakfast the following day.
The living room as well as the dining room (in the back). See the green stuff out the window? we can't get enough.
Front door of the Treehouse.
Outside of the Treehouse
CT Coffee & J. Crew
The next day was our first full day in Wilton, CT. It was a rainy Monday. Not the misting kind, but the downpour variety. We venture to the local coffee place. When we first walked it, we were hit by rich smell of coffee and greetings with a heavy New York (yourk) accent. We immediately fell in love with place and the hostess. This place is filled with NY Yankees memorabilia and it is steep in this no-bull NYC vibe. Not so different from the ladies at the diner on Seinfeld. I had eggs and corn beef, WY had eggs, French toast, sausages and both of us had hot hazelnut coffee. It was delicious. We ended up returning two more times to this place.
J. Crew, one of our fav stores while living in CT, has closed many of its stores. One of the few left is the one located in Westport which is were we headed. Ewan, being a bit older, now has the patience to hang out with us while we shop. He would look at kids stuff and try on things like sunglasses. Though we did play a game of cops and robber with a manikin in bikini as a bad-guy.
After J. Crew, we continued to shop at Trader's Joe (another fav store of ours), this time for groceries. We bought enough food for dinner that night and breakfast the next morning. When we left TJ, it was absolutely pouring. There might have been some flash flood as well. The water at the TJ parking lot was about 2 inches high. All our shoes and socks were drenched. Thanks goodness it wasn't far from our home.
A fun game of robbers and coppers at J. Crew. Here's Ewan with his pretend shotgun.
At CT Coffee and Grill. A damn good place to eat.
Trying on some new pants
Mystic Aquarium:
On Tuesday, breakfast was at home. We changed plan from going to Clinton outlet to the Mystic Aquarium. This turned out to be great decision. Tickets were not cheap, about $105 US for three of us. The drive, about 1.5 hour and in 34 degree heat-wave, driving on I-95 was not pleasant. Plus our AC is pretty much blowing warm air (i.e. no AC). Funny thing is that when we arrived, and saw the beluga whales, it all felt worth it.
We quite enjoyed this aquarium. Highlights for WY and I include feeding the rays, touch rays in the interactivity center and the VR experience (I did whales and WY did sharks). Ewan played with a well designed water fountain for kids with a dam and water wheel. Seeing the penguins, beluga wales, sharks, jellyfishes were also very cool.
We left close to 6, the closing time. We cooled down and ate snacks and drinks in a shaded parking spot than I braved the long drive home facing the sun.
To keep cost low, we pick up groceries and made another easy to cook stuff for dinner.
WY found these organic chicken meatballs and already washed greens. I mixed them into some leftover pasta and voila, another healthy and inexpensive dinner for three. I cooked while WY gave Ewan a shower. Dinner was ready in 10 minutes. We were exhausted and turned in early.
Beluga whales! They are big, fun, majestic animals.
Seals.
Penguins
Speaking with a lady who rescues marine animals. All proceeds from mystic aquarium goes to marine life rescue.
Awesome outdoor nautical theme playground
Nurse Sharks.
Cool water play area that kids all love.
Walnut Beach & Connecticut Post Mall:
Wednesday marks the middle of our trip. I made brunch at home. Eggs, sausages, bagel, fruits, coffee - all from trader's joe. Very delicious.
In the afternoon, we divide and conquer. WY went to CT Post mall and Ewan and I went to Walnut Beach for a couple hours. The beach was super nice, warm water, soft sands, shallow water, slight breeze and has lifeguard. Ewan and I spend two hours bobbing in the water, dodging the swells and building sand castle.
After meeting up with WY, we splurged for a seafood dinner. It's not hard to find seafood restaurants. It was, however, hard to find one which is good value. We found this take out place called the Lobster Shack. It did not disappoint. The nice lady at lobster Shack told us about picnic table near water. It was quiet, clean and peaceful. Finding this place means we didn't have to pay for on-the-water price.
Ice-cream seems like a suitable idea after dinner. We went to Sagatuck Sweets based on favorable reviews and it was close by. Ewan had cotton candy, WY had Oreo coffee and I tried Georgia Peach. It was pretty good but doesn't come close to Cow's ice parlor.
On our way to the picnic tables, there was this charming old fire station. I later found out it is Westport Fire Station 4. Ewan was very interested. He even said there is probably a firemen pole as there is often one in old fire station.
This was all in all a wonderful summer evening.
panoramic view of the Treehouse (right) and the host's home (left).
lunch from CT Post Mall
WestPort Fire House 4 (photo courtesy of Google)
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Westport fire station 4
Our splurge seafood dinner. Lobster rolls (The Compo roll and Maine Style Chilled roll), corn on the cob, mac and cheese.
Picnic Tables by the water (free!)
Photo outside of Sagatuck Sweets. A nice lady took this photo for us.
Compo Beach:
The beach was relatively quiet. I guess it is a weekday and especially in the morning. We played time in the calm and relatively warm water. I floated and "swim" (kicked my feet while laying back on a pool noodle). Swimming outdoors is one of the few things that truly put me in a state of calm and relaxation. Ewan also swam a bit and we dodge the ocean swells
In the shallow water, we saw a 1 lb fish. Has big fins and lobster like legs. Also saw many little fishes swimming around. Always nice to see a little marine life at the beach. As forecasted, the sky turned dark around 1pm. Thunder can be heard. The life-guard empties the water and most people left the beach. We went to get lunch at CT coffee and grill. Yum! We only spent about an hour in the water, the three of us; swimming, laughing, bobbing, playing. Yet it was already very enjoyable. One of the highlights of the trip.
We retreated for some much needed quiet time back at the treehouse. I read quietly, looked at my phone while doing a little writing. Ewan watched some screen for a some me time. WY talked with a friend on the phone to catch up. This was precisely the the space that I needed on this trip. It would be better if we can have 2 more days of this. But Treehouse was booked up. It was just not meant to be.
That evening, we met up with some friends for dinner River Street restaurant - another fine establishment we used to frequent some 7 years ago. We had a wonderful dinner and conversation though it was humid and sticky. Ewan was very patient as the four adults chatted away on topics largely incomprehensible. He tried to chime in, like when he heard the word prisoners and police.
Ewan playing with sand at Compo Beach
Nice pathway leading to and from the beach
bathroom and outdoor shower
Storm clouds approaching
The Drive Home
Friday was our travel day. We stuffed our car and drive for 10 hours and ended back up on our driveway. With Civic's AC now 90% gone, the 35 degree heat still with us, the drive was not comfortable. WY was not feeling well already and with the unfamiliar and hilly terrain of CT and upstate NY, I did most of the driving. Here's a quick recap.
- Picked up lunch at CT coffee & grill so we wouldn't have to search for lunch.
- Made micro stops to allow for a quick stretch of legs and relief our bladders. This strategy worked well. Once again, LL was very patient for the most part during this unpleasant , daylong ride.
- Crossed the border around 7pm and arrived in St Catherine's for a comforting bowl of pho accompanied by freezing tea, as Ewan calls it. For me, it was the hot broth that calmed my nerves.
- WY to drive home as the sun is now much less powerful and it is a route (QEW, 407) which is familiar to her. While I updated some friends on my trip. Before I know it, we were home
When we got home, we all miss the Treehouse. There is much to love about it: the bright and airy ambiance, elevated deck, propane stovetops, 70 inch TV with Hulu and the fresh tree aroma that welcomes you home. It's very much a luxurious treehouse nestled in the forest.
Sounded like an awesome trip!
ReplyDeleteThanks dude
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