We've Moved!

Thanks to all our viewers, readers, fans and supporters!  We've moved!  Make sure to check out our new site at:

www.GaysAtPlay.com

We're wrapping up Season 1 and are getting Season 2 ready with some fresh new episodes both in and out of Connecticut!

Peace and Love,
Jon and David

Season 1, Episode 8: Bluff Point State Park, Groton, CT

Episode 008:
Bluff Point State Park
Groton, CT

We are always looking to find out of the way places, especially by the beach.  That led us to this beach in Bluff Point State Park.

Where is this place...


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Bluff Point State Park is located on Depot Rd. in Groton, CT.  Take I-95 to Exit 88.  Turn onto Route 117 South and continue straight to U.S. Route 1.  Turn right onto U.S. Route 1 and then make then next left onto Depot Rd.  Follow Depot Rd. to end for the parking lot of Bluff Point State Park.  Follow the trail on foot for 20 minutes to reach the beach area.

The Basics...

Park Hours:
Sunrise to Sunset

Park Cost:
Free

The Details...

Bluff Point State Park is a scenic park on Long Island Sound in Groton, CT.  The park includes a Coastal Preserve and Nature Preserve.  As a result, it is a great place to observe birds and other wildlife on Long Island Sound.  Inside the park are a number of trails and picnic areas.  Hiking, Biking and Horseback-riding are allowed.

The beach itself is about a 20-minute walk from the parking lot, making it relatively far.  However, due to the popularity of the park with locals, including joggers and families, you will most likely find others on the beach with you.  Beautiful views of Long Island Sound and the Poquonock River Estuary await those willing to make the hike.  Due to hike through the woods and the proximity to the marsh, make sure to bring bug spray.

The beach is also close to Groton-New London Airport, a general-use airport.  Although there are no commercial flights from the airport, you may see some planes taking off and landing while you are on the beach (probably less on the weekend than during the week).

The beach sand is very nice, except that it is littered with tiny rocks and shells.  Water shoes or sandals are recommended for walking around the beach.  As we mention in the video, the beach is a great place for rock collectors, as many of the stones on the beach can be identified as unpolished jasper.  Other colorful stones and shells abound.  Small flowering bushes also line the beach, giving the area a slight feeling of Cape Cod.

The park is great for an afternoon visit, a walk with a loved-one or with the family.  Be cautious of the other park visitors and try to avoid some of the more colorful characters.  The park closes at sunset and remaining in the park after dark is not recommended.  Overall, though, the park is quite beautiful and has a lot to offer a young family or a young couple.

Gays at Play! Rating:
Caution!

You can expect to find a lot of families, a lot of locals and a lot of people watching.  It's best to find your own spot and avoid some of the more colorful characters.

Recommended for: Gay Families, Gay Date


That's all for now.  Thanks for watching and reading!  Don't forget to like us, leave a comment and share us with your friends if you enjoy the video!

Peace and Love,
Jon and David

Season 1, Episode 7: Farmington River Tubing, New Hartford, CT

Episode 007:
Farmington River Tubing
New Hartford, CT

Even though it's the middle of winter, there's no reason you can't enjoy thoughts of summer, or start planning your daytrips for 2014! In this episode, we talk about our experience at Farmington River Tubing in  New Hartford, CT, which is a very refreshing way to spend an afternoon!

Where is this place...


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Farmington River Tubing is located at Satans Kingdom State Recreation Area on U.S. Route 44 in New Hartford, CT.  Just Follow U.S. Route 44 West out of Hartford, or from Torrington take U.S. Route 202 until it merges with U.S. Route 44 and turn left (West).

The Basics...

Tubing Hours: 
Memorial Day to mid-June -  Weekends, 10am to 5pm and some Weekdays, 11am to 4pm.
Mid-June to late-August - Every day, 10am to 5pm.
Late-August to Labor Day - Weekends, 10am to 5pm and some Weekdays, 10am to 5pm.

Tubing Cost:
Tubing + Bus Ride - $18-$20
Additional Bus Rides - $10 Each
Bus Rides Only - $10 Each
CASH ONLY

The Details...

The Farmington River Tubing is located in Satan's Kingdom Recreation Area, which is a small picnic area on the bank of the Farmington River, just off of U.S. Route 44 in New Hartford, CT.  Even if you are not going to go tubing, this is a great spot to bring a picnic lunch.  There are some tables, but they are located in the middle of the park, not by the river.  This is because there is a pretty steep embankment down to the Farmington River.  If you are feeling bold and can get a good grip of the trees, you might be able to find a nice place to sit on the riverbank.

Having been here several times, we have developed our routine.  After arriving in the parking lot, we get ourselves together and change into our swimsuits.  Water shoes are also recommended for this adventure!  Make sure to bring your keys and your cash.  You can leave everything else locked safely in your car.

At the main desk, you will have to sign a waiver and pay the tubing fee.  You will then be provided with an inner tube and a life jacket.  Make sure you take a life jacket from the back, as these will probably be the least used and the least smelly.  Also, make sure your inner tube is properly inflated.  Lastly, don't forget to ask when the last bus pick-up is scheduled.

Then, it's off to the river!  We have found that actually getting on the tube can be the hardest part.  You can either stand in the water with the tube behind you and fall into it, or put the tube in the water and try to back crawl onto it.  If you need help, ask one of the staff member or a friend!

The entire 2.5 mile trip tubing down the Farmington River, including the bus ride back, takes about an hour and a half to two hours.  The river has three small rapids, one right at the beginning underneath the U.S. Route 44 Bridge, one in the middle and one towards the end.  We think the middle one is the best.  Make sure to hold onto your tube!  Most of the rest of the time, the river is fairly slow moving and will send you at a relaxing pace downstream.  Make sure to avoid large rocks, tree boughs and bushes.  If you are getting to close, get a friends to grab you or just paddle out of the way.  The water is not too deep in most places and there are areas you can stand, so don't worry too much about falling out of your tube.  However, some areas are deep or are rocky and difficult to stand.  It is recommended that you do not stand up in the river.  If you do fall out of or stand up from your tube, you can always get a friend to help you back onto your tube.  The water is not recommended for people with sensitive skin.

The river is very scenic.  You will probably run across people on the side of the river fishing, camping or drinking.  You may also encounter some people kayaking.

At the end, you get out of the river and ride the bus back.  The bus ride takes about 7-10 minutes, but you may have to wait up to 20 minutes to catch the bus.  Don't forget to bring towels, a change of clothes, and some body spray for when you get back to your car.  Back in the parking lot, you will most likely find some people cruising as people change their clothes going in and out of the river.

If you are looking for actual whitewater rafting, you will be able to find it on the Housatonic River in April.  The rapids on the river are caused by melting snow upstream.  The Housatonic River valley can be extremely scenic with lush greenery, plenty of wildlife and even a covered bridge.  However, it can be a bit pricey and the rapids are not for the faint of heart.

Gays at Play! Rating:
On the Low

You don't want to be loud here or put on a show, but you know there are some spots around the back... Playing it straight will help to avoid trouble from watchful eyes.

Recommended for: Gay Friends


That's all for now.  Thanks for watching and reading!  Don't forget to like us, leave a comment and share us with your friends if you enjoy the video!

Peace and Love,
Jon and David

Season 1, Episode 6: CT Shoreline / Clinton Town Beach, Clinton, CT

Episode 006:
Connecticut Shoreline /
Clinton Town Beach
Clinton, CT

For our sixth episode, we return to Connecticut and take a quick tour of the shoreline between New Haven and Old Saybrook, with a focus on the Clinton Town Beach.

Where is this place...


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The Clinton Town Beach is on located on Long Island Sound in the Town of Clinton, CT.  Take Exit 63 off I-95 to Route 81 South.  Follow Route 81 to U.S. Route 1 and take a left.  At the crosswalk, turn right onto Waterside Lane and continue straight until you reach the beach parking lot.  Please be observant of local parking restrictions. Play safe!

The Basics...

Beach Hours: 
Sunrise to Sunset

Beach Cost:
Beach parking may include a daily cost during the summer season.

The Details...

A lot of the beach spots along the Connecticut Shoreline between New Haven and Old Saybrook are Private and Local Beaches, owned by individual homeowners, or owned by the particular town and restricted to residents or owned by a yacht club and restricted to members.  Many of the beaches that are open to the public cost a fee, either for parking or beach access, and do not offer much privacy from the street, surrounding homes or other beach residents.  The remainder of the coastline is either too rocky or too marshy for use as a beach.

As we mentioned, it is a nice place to drive through.  Consider driving Route 146 between Branford and Guilford.  The Long Island Sound marshes are a beautiful sight to take in, especially at sunset.

There are some exceptions to the rule, of course.  Hammonasset Beach State Park, located off I-95 at Exit 62, is one of the most popular beaches in the state.  Located in Madison, CT, the park has campsites, picnic sites, walking trails and a nature center.  The beach itself is also very nice, with gentle water and decent sand.  The water is usually cold, so summer is the best time to come if you plan to take a dip.  Park entrance fees range from $9 to $22 based on day of the week and residency.  Although Hammonasset is a nice beach, there are a lot of other lower cost or free beaches out there.  However, if you are willing to shell out the cash, you will probably have a very enjoyable day at the beach.

Old Saybrook Point is located at the mouth of the Connecticut River in the Town of Old Saybrook.  Take I-95 to Exit 67 or 68 and follow U.S. Route 1 South to Route 154.  Follow Route 154 until you reach Bridge St. and turn left into the parking lot.  There are a number of things in the area for you to explore.  First, there's the Dock and Dine Restaurant (scheduled to reopen Summer 2014) and the Saybrook Point Miniature Golf Course.  Across the street is the Saybrook Point Inn and Spa, as well as a park with a monument commemorating historic Fort Saybrook.  The whole scene is very much like something you would find in Cape Cod.

We opted to walk through the little park next to the Dock and Dine.  After making our way through the miniature rose bushes, we walked out onto the rocky beach to find a whole bunch of people fishing in the river estuary.  As we sat down on one of the large stones along the shore, we took in the beautiful scenery of the Connecticut River.  Ships sailed past us in and out of the river, adding to the charm of the scene.  As much as this spot might be a great romantic area for couples, be mindful of the fishermen in the area who are likely not the most gay-friendly bunch, especially if all of your "romance" is scaring away the fish!

We then proceeded to the Clinton Town Beach.  The beach is located across a small bridge on a sandy point at the mouth of the Hammonasset River.  The beach is small and intimate, with one main sandy beach section roughly 500 feet long.  The beach overlooks the river estuary, several marinas and the beach houses located on Cedar Island in the center of the estuary.  The waves are calm and gentle and the sand is extremely clean and fine.

The beach is geared towards town residents and their families.  There is a playground right on the beach, as well as restrooms, volleyball courts and a concession stand, which is open during the Summer.  During the peak summer season, parking passes are required and can be purchased at the beach parking lot entrance.  The general beach crowd we observed when we visited was comprised of local residents and their families.

In the back of the beach is a beautiful garden path leading through a partially shaded area lined with rose bushes.  At the end of the path is a wooden pavilion overlooking the estuary and marsh.  When we were there, the pavilion was closed for repairs.  The path and pavilion are perfect areas for a picnic lunch or a just to lay down on the soft grass.

Beyond the pavilion is a partial path through the marsh bushes to a neighborhood of beach houses on the other side.  This is the area we observed several people walking around among the tall marsh plants, most likely cruising.

Gays at Play! Rating:
On the Low

You don't want to be loud here or put on a show, but you know there are some spots around the back... Playing it straight will help to avoid trouble from watchful eyes.

Recommended for: Gay Date, Gay Families


That's all for now.  Thanks for watching and reading!  Don't forget to like us, leave a comment and share us with your friends if you enjoy the video!

Peace and Love,
Jon and David

Season 1, Episode 5: Hot Springs, NC

Episode 005:
Hot Springs, NC

There is just something so magical about bathing in hot spring water.  In our latest episode, we visit Hot Springs, NC, which is home to a natural hot spring, a spa, a stop on the Appalachian Trail, and a VERY small town.

Where is this place...


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Hot Springs, NC is located in the Appalachian Mountains about 45 minutes outside of Asheville, NC.  Follow U.S. Route 25 North through Marshall.  After coming down the mountain ridge and crossing the French Broad River, you will drive right through Hot Springs, NC.  The Hot Springs Resort and Spa will be on your right.

The Basics...

Spa Hours: 
Monday-Thursday, 12pm to 10pm
Friday-Sunday, 10am to 12am

Spa Cost:
Standard Spa - $15-$35
Deluxe Spa - $40-$45
Bathhouse - $50-$60
Costs vary by time of day (Before or After 6pm)

More information can be found on their website.

The Details...

The 100+°F Natural Hot Mineral Springs are the only known hot springs in North Carolina. The springs were first discovered by the Native Americans and used for their magical healing powers.  Europeans were reported to be visiting the springs as early as 1778.  Several hotels were built on the site of the springs over the years, with the small town of Hot Springs, NC growing up around them.  Currently, the springs are privately owned and operated as the Hot Springs Spa and Resort.

The facilities of the Spa and Resort were very modern, with a main reception and spa treatment building and several hot spring jacuzzis set up along the river.  The grounds were very picturesque, surrounded by a warm green natural setting with the Appalachian Mountains as a backdrop.  Across the property, you can see the foundations of some of the former hotels and bathhouses.

One of the spa employees led us on a short path through the wooded area by the river to our Hot Springs Jacuzzi.  The jacuzzis were enclosed by wooden fences and walls, providing excellent privacy.  We took one of the Deluxe Spas, which was located alongside the river.  After the tub was filled with hot spring water for us, we entered and just relaxed in the hot water while enjoying the views.  There was even a "mist" feature which sprayed a mist of cool water.  The hot springs jacuzzi was extremely relaxing and enjoyable and the staff were all helpful to us.

The Appalachian Trail, which runs along the Appalachian Mountain Ridge from Maine to Georgia, passes through the center of the town.  A general store and outdoor sports store cater to the hikers who pass through the town.  We found the store owners to be very watchful of us, mostly likely because it was clear that we were from out of town.

The town of Hot Springs itself, is a small town of roughly 500 people located on the French Broad River.  On the main road, U.S. Route 25, are a number of small shops and restaurants, which are geared towards hikers and tourists.  The majority of the town is residential.  It was clear to us that there was a tight-knit community in the town, where most of the residents know each other and know who is from out of town.

In general, the town was very nice and very scenic.  We did not have any problems while we were there, but we were also cautious to avoid any potential drama.  The town is definitely a place to take a day trip.  However, we would not recommend staying overnight.

Gays at Play! Rating:
Cool

You can come here and be gay without a problem, but you might not want to be waving a flag around.  It also probably wouldn't hurt to keep the PDAs to a minimum.

Recommended for: Gay Couples


That's all for now.  Thanks for watching and reading!  Don't forget to like us, leave a comment and share us with your friends if you enjoy the video!

Peace and Love,
Jon and David