Discovering Connecticut

There are several advantages to traveling by bike rather than car. One is that you can get an up-close view of your surroundings. I took a new bike route today, starting a 14-mile journey at the Pleasant Valley Drive-In near Barkhamsted and winding my way on a road by the Farmington River through two Connecticut state parks. (The drive-in, by the way, is one of the few remaining in New England.)

This journey was special. The scenery was spectacular, the Farmington River carving its way along a pine tree-covered ridge. The river is supposed to be one of the best brown trout rivers in the country. There must have been 40 or 50 flyfishermen in it today.

Today's journey brought a nice surprise. After about six miles, I came upon Riverton, a small town of 19th-century homes, a general store and two churches that date to the 1830s. Riverton is still home to the Hitchcock Furniture Co. (above), which made the famous Hitchcock chairs during the 1800s. Oh, there was an interesting sign that caught my eye just as I entered town.