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
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...
View Larger Map
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
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
Episode 002:
White Silo Farm and Winery
Sherman, CT
Gays at Play! is all about finding fun and unique spots for gay travel and adventure, even places where you might not expect it. For our second video, we got in the car and drove out to the White Silo Farm & Winery in Sherman, CT. On the way back, we thought we would tell you a bit about our experience.
Where is this place...
View Larger Map
The winery is located on Route 37 in Sherman, CT. Take US 7 North from Danbury until Route 37. Follow Route 37 up the hill and past the airport until you see the big white silo. Take a left into the parking lot.
The Basics...
Hours:
Friday-Sunday, 11am to 6pm
April to December
Wine Tastings:
Five Wine Tasting - $7
More information can be found on their website.
The Details...
Overall Experience: Medium
Wine Rating: OK, Decent
In general, the White Silo Winery produces fruit wines, which are sweet wines made with estate fruits. These wines can serve either as an accompaniment to a meal or as a nice after dinner refreshment.
During our visit, the Rhubarb wine was the best, with a nice tart flavor. The Raspberry wine, which is sweet and slightly tart, was also good. The Cassis wine, a semi-sweet wine promoted to us by the winery, was nice. Gays at Play! recommends mixing it with your favorite cognac to enhance the flavor. The Sangria, also promoted by the winery, was alright but not really worth the price. Besides, you probably already know someone who can make a mean sangria... Other Wines produced by the winery are a Black Currant wine and a Blackberry wine.
Of course the only way to know if you'll like them is to try them out! Tastings were $7 per person and include a free souvenir glass. There are no set times for tastings and walk-ins are welcome. Dress is casual. Bottles of wine will cost you between $10 and $15, while the Sangria will cost you $29 per bottle. On occasion, the winery will have live music during the main operating hours.
Our experience was that the service can be a bit slow when busy. In order to get served you will need to be somewhat aggressive (but of course polite) in getting to the bar, as people will try to cut in front of you.
The estate is very nice, with views of the rolling Litchfield hills. There are tables available inside and outside for you to enjoy a bottle of wine or a picnic lunch. A walk around the property and through the vineyards can also be very enjoyable.
As we mentioned, the winery is part of the larger Connecticut Wine Trail, which includes roughly 30 vineyards and wineries across the state. The Wine Trail provides a "passport," which you can get stamped at the wineries you visit. At the end of the season, you send in your passport and you can enter to win various prizes. The grand prize is a two-week trip to Malaga, Spain. We actually know a couple who won the trip a few years back! Other prizes include local hotel stays, limo rides and of course wine.
Gays at Play! Rating:
Gay Friendly
There is no problem with being "out" here and general levels of affection, such as holding hands, should also be okay. Still, use your better judgement to avoid any problems.
Recommended for: Gay Couples, 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
Episode 001:
Lighthouse Point Park
New Haven, CT
Hey everyone! This is our first video and we are so excited! Gays at Play! is all about finding fun and unique spots for gay travel and adventure, even places where you might not expect it. We thought we'd start off right here in our own backyard and let you know about Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven, CT.
Where is this place...
View Larger Map
The park is located in New Haven, CT. Take I-95 to the Exit 50, Townsend Ave. Follow Townsend Ave. until the traffic light a Lighthouse Road. Take a right and follow the road to the end. Parking is located inside the park for a fee. You can try to park on the local streets and walk into the park to avoid the fee, but beware of parking restrictions and watchful neighbors.
The Basics...
Hours:
7am to Sunset
April 1 to November 1
Admission Fees:
New Haven Residents - FREE
Connecticut Residents - $20/day
Out-of-State Residents - $30/day
More park information can be found on their website.
The Details...
Water Rating: Not swimming water due to slippery rocks and not-so-clean harbor water
Sand Rating: 5.5
The beach itself is very picturesque, with nice views of Long Island Sound, New Haven Harbor, the Southwest Ledge Lighthouse, and even Long Island on a clear day. As you might have seen in our video, the beach is excellent for sunbathing, flying a kite, enjoying a picnic lunch, beach sports, etc... Tweed Regional Airport is nearby, with several flights leaving each day. Even though there are no major noise concerns, don't be surprised if you see a couple airplanes taking off or landing during your visit.
The lighthouse located on the beach, also called Five Mile Point Lighthouse, was in operation until 1877 when the Southwest Ledge Lighthouse was built on the breakers in New Haven Harbor. For information about occasional tours, contact New Haven Parks and Recreation from the phone number on their website.
The Lighthouse Park Splashpad and playground are located adjacent to the beach. The splashpad is a small water attraction that is popular with children and families. It looks like a very refreshing way to spend the afternoon and the water is certainly cleaner and fresher than the ocean water.
The Carousel House is one of the main attractions of Lighthouse Point Park and is often rented out for weddings and large functions. The carousel itself operates on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day. A single ride costs only $0.50.
There are also a number of other pavilions around the park. As we mentioned, they can be rented out for a very reasonable fee. If you don't feel like spending the money, you can always set up your own tables and barbeque. Be aware that alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the park.
Lastly, there is the bathhouse building located on the beach itself. It is the large yellow building to the east of the splashpad and basketball court. Ideally, one would be able to shower off and change here, but this very dark and dim building should be avoided, if possible. Not only is it unclean, but the smell overwhelming. If you need to use the bathroom, try the bathrooms located at the Ranger Station across from the lighthouse.
Gays at Play! Rating:
Gay Friendly
There is no problem with being "out" here and general levels of affection, such as holding hands, should also be okay. Still, use your better judgement to avoid any problems.
Recommended for: Gay Families, 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
