Winging it in... Connecticut

What the hell do you think Leona really puts in that pizza?

The main feature of this week should probably be the trip to Mystic CT. But I do first have to get the weekly weather update out of the way… yes, there was yet more snow, more digging out of the car, another snow day, and my personal favorite- inside ice. I am holding onto, and hoping against all the odds that Phil tucked away on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney is indeed correct this year! Yes, February 2 was Groundhog Day and I really like the statistic that says Phil is about 75% to 90% accurate. This year there was no shadow so I am really looking forward to that spring like weather we have coming our way. Today was a great start on that front. Bright blue skies, sun shining, snow melting and temperatures a positively balmy 42F. Bring it on Phil! Unfortunately I suspect the slightly more realistic statistic is the one that says he has 39% accuracy rate, and as I am happy to point out to anyone that makes the mistake of standing still for more than 3 seconds, this winter has been nasty, and I am very fed up with it.

There are lots of suggestions as to where Groundhog Day originated from, it a certainly a Northern European custom and initially involved hedgehogs and badgers. Not having either of these animals readily available in the US and Canada early settlers continued the tradition with a new animal- the groundhog. Dating from a time when our lives and survival were very wrapped up in nature and its whims it is easy to see why this was such an important “prediction”. Fair weather and a shadow meaning 6 more weeks of cold weather and hard ground, overcast and no shadow predicting milder climates and a nod toward spring growth. Occupying Romans in Britain knew that this time of year really was the heart of the winter- using their calendar it is the mid point between Dec 21 – the shortest day- and March 21- the spring Equinox. They shared this knowledge and practice with the Teutons and it spread throughout Northern Europe. Today it is the Pennsylvania Germans who have most famous celebration- or at least the one movies are made of. “Groundhog Day- Half your Hay” agriculture still plays an important part.

Mystic Connecticut- the one and same place where the Julia Roberts movie was made, and the one and same pizza parlor that I ate my lunch in- and I have to say it was a very good pizza. This was probably not the best time of year to visit; it is a very touristy little town, with a pretty looking beach and lots of crafty, cute, quaint shops. However, it is not a particularly touristy time of year, what with the snow, the lake being frozen and all the cute, quaint shops being closed. Well, maybe not all- but a lot would suggest that one visits again after Easter. I’m betting they didn’t tell Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall that when they visited on their honeymoon!

With a little tug boat greeting you at the entrance you can visit the Mystic Seaport ship museum where they will tell you all about the repair and renovation of the tall ship… this was open, but I’m not really a tall ship kind of a gal, and I’m not sure I’ll be renovating any of them that soon, so I thought I’d put this one on ice and save it for another day- the boat outside is really cute, it looks just like a slightly larger version of one my Grandmother used to put in the bath for me.

The Aquarium was also open, and they have Beluga whales- the only ones in New England. Very graceful and I can watch these for hours. However, it was very expensive and I am quite cheap, it is only a few months since I went whale watching and visited the Boston Aquarium, so I dipped out on this too.

I did cross the Mystic River and wander down the main street, on both the Stonington and Groton sides, and visit a number of charming boutiques and quaint paraphernalia stores. I am now the proud owner of cupcake flavored mints- in a cupcake shaped tin, and banana flavored mints in a monkey shaped tin. Yes, I do still hate the taste of banana- but the tin is very cute.

A big portion of Olde Mistick Village was closed for the season, these are the ice cream shops, the handmade fudge options etc. It was still a pleasant area for a stroll tho, and of course the historic houses and old fashioned shops selling unique items lining the Stonington streets are always worth a look.

I’m not sure if it is a good thing or not, but poor research led me to miss the fact that there was a premium outlet mall within throwing distance (that is my throwing distance- and I really do throw like a girl). Never mind- online shopping is nearly as good, and delivers mean the experience can last all week. I’m sure I’ll find a way to make up for it.

On the third and final note- it is Super Bowl Sunday! Not a reference to the super bowls I got last Sunday, but the football game played to finish the season. This year the Packers and the Steelers will battle it out, popular consensus says the winner will be… you know what, I don’t care. The Six nations has started and that is much more exciting!