Msytic, CT June 25

 Mystic Seaport

Visited Mystic, CT on a beautiful weekend.  The tourist favorite Mystic Seaport and Museum was having their 30th annual Wooden Boat Show, which added to the fun.  

Mystic is most famous for it's seaport, with over 600 ships built since 1784.  The Seaport is one of the largest maritime museums in the US, with many preserved ships including the famous Charles Morgan whaling ship.

In addition to the ships, the Seaport Museum features a 19th century re-imagined waterfront settlement with over 60 restored historic buildings plus craftsmen (blacksmiths, etc) demonstrating their skills.

Seaport's pride and joy, the Charles W. Morgan, called a "lucky whaler", the last of 2,700 whaling ships built over 150 years.  Had an 80 year active life, roaming the globe, but mostly in the Pacific Ocean.  Retired to Mystic in 1941, a major tourist attraction.  Anyone familiar with the stories of whaling (Moby Dick, Capt Ahab) can't help but be a little fascinated by this dangerous profession.   

A little different, the Tango, human powered pedal boat that Dwight Collins pedaled across the Atlantic over 40 days in 1992, breaking previous records.  Pedaled 12 hours/day; sounds pretty hairy to me.

Canoe kit at the boat show; it's a beauty, maybe too nice to put in the water.

Couldn't leave here without seeing famous Mystic Pizza.

Hartford

Spent some time visiting Mark Twain's (Samuel Clemens) home in Hartford.  Expensive family home at the time, financed by his wealthy wife, this was before Twain was famous.  Unusual home, lots of international touches reflecting all the travel they did.  Next door neighbor was Harriet Beecher Stowe (Uncle Tom's Cabin).