Steam Train and Riverboat Trip

My boys and I had a fun family outing on Friday down the Connecticut river.  We took a steam train and river boat ride.  Both were narrated and we learned so much about the history of the region.











Looking out the train window:

Marshes, inlets, and coves were used a lot during colonial times for smuggling; the number one money making trade of the Connecticut river during that time.



We boarded our boat




We had lunch vouchers and enjoyed a yummy lunch on the boat too

We saw so many birds!

heron


osprey 


swans with their cygnets 

cormorants 

seagulls 

We even saw a bald eagle soaring overhead!  


And beautiful sights and homes:


Car and people ferry crossing the large river 




One of the many marinas 


This is a swing bridge that allows ships to pass by swinging open on a hinge.


The Opera house; that shows mainly musicals 


Gillette's Castle 

Gillette's Castle 


Home of the man who invented the clapper 





Then we began docking and re-boarded the train for the ride back to the station:




Linking Up With:

“Mrs.AOK,



My Pinterventures

by Angie Ouellette-Tower for http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/ photo YoureTheStarHopLarge_zpsncuylahd.jpg




Take Me Away Travel Link Party



Comments

  1. love the river photos, looks like some great sights to see! #Explorerkids

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  2. This looks like a fantastic trip - my kids would adore this if we ever visit the USA. Sarah #ExplorerKids

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    Replies
    1. It was so much fun; I can't believe we had never bothered to go before. I'm pretty sure we'll be back though.

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  3. Oh wow, this looks awesome. One of my sons and I have always been fascinated by steam engines, one year I wanted him to dress up like a conductor, he wasn't having any of that though. Lol.

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    Replies
    1. It was really fun; though my boys did comment at the end of the ride that they would not want to be the poor guys shoveling coal in front. They were quite blackened and soot stained by the time we arrived back at the station.

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  4. Oh Wow! So many beautiful homes on this river! Including the man who invented the clapper too! That's soo cool! The Opera House is so beautiful too. Oh I do love the old grand train, E & E yet has to experience on one of these. You have inspired our next trip. :) Thank you so much for linking up with us on #ExplorerKids Linky. xx

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    1. Glad I could inspire you. I just happened to hear an ad on the radio and thought; "hmm... that's something we never tried." We really enjoyed it.

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  5. Sounds like a really wonderful trip. That train is MASSIVE! #explorerlinky

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  6. What fun! So many gorgeous homes along the river too! Thanks for linking up again to the September Take Me Away party!
    Shelley

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    Replies
    1. We had never been down in that area before and could not believe some of the beautiful homes we saw.

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  7. It looks like a lovely day by land and river! Thanks for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. It was such a lovely day. Thank you for stopping by!

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