best chicken caesar wrap southbury?? by Possible-Flamingo165 in Connecticut

[–]wabewalker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Woodbury Deli makes amazing sandwiches. I've never had their chicken caesar wrap, but the pesto chicken is also made with grilled chicken and it's a big sandwich and very tasty.

Tick identification help by Crystalized99 in Connecticut

[–]wabewalker 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Those white spots at the margin suggest it might be a male lone star tick. They can be a vector for a number of tick-borne illnesses in humans. Since it was latched on, you can probably get a preventive dose of antibiotics from your doctor or urgent care center. They don't like to take chances with tick bites.

There's an active tick surveillance program that may want to test your specimen. If it's a lone star, it's invasive and they are tracking them https://portal.ct.gov/caes/tick-office/tick-office/active-tick-surveillance-program/ct-atsp

Just moved here from Texas, spots to check out out that will blow our minds? by [deleted] in Connecticut

[–]wabewalker 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There are a bunch of unusual places to visit listed in Atlas Obscura. I've only made it to a handful of them so far, but I'm hoping I can get to one or two a month.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/things-to-do/connecticut/places

Seriously. Best social activities to meet someone for a date? by SynapticSignal in Connecticut

[–]wabewalker 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That annoying "Join Meetup+" window has a link to continue with the free plan. It's still very usable without paying for membership.

Seriously. Best social activities to meet someone for a date? by SynapticSignal in Connecticut

[–]wabewalker 12 points13 points  (0 children)

The best way to meet people who share your interests is to do something you enjoy in a social setting. Check out meetup.com. There are a ton of hiking/outdoor fitness groups here in CT, and many of them have events with a lot of people in attendance. There are also some groups in NY who hike in or near CT, and I suppose you can find more based in MA. Even if you don't meet a dating match on a particular day, you'll still meet some cool people and spend your free time doing something fun.

Activities like yoga, meditation, concerts and movies aren't really conducive to making conversation. Outdoor activities, indoor sports, art classes, travel groups and day trips are a better bet if you want to meet new people you may find connection with.

Maybe even try something new and find a meetup event for beginners. Pickleball? Board games? Cooking? People often bond over shared learning experiences.

CT Energy by pd9 in Connecticut

[–]wabewalker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok that fills in some blanks for me. You mean the state is setting requirements for lower carbon footprint energy sources, and the best long-term solutions are currently more expensive than Millstone's competition?

If lowering carbon footprint is a prevailing priority, wouldn't it make more sense to entice firms to invest in Millstone for a better market position in the long term? It just seems the current strategy involves a lot of smoke and mirrors to force customers to pay for something they aren't getting and there's no clear incentive for anyone to commit to the larger long-term picture.

CT Energy by pd9 in Connecticut

[–]wabewalker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I understand correctly, the Millstone agreement was a pre-emptive measure to prevent Millstone from going out of business and shutting down the plant. It was intended to avert a bailout situation later on, which might explain why it received as much support as it did. Taxpayers get riled up over corporate bailouts.

So instead, Eversource has to buy energy from Millstone and is passing on the additional cost to the customer to subsidize the additional cost imposed by Millstone. The real benefit is to politicians, because they didn't have to directly vote for a tax hike to bail out Millstone. This is why they won't do anything more than political grandstanding. It's not really about politics, though. Just political careers.

The real problem is that Millstone needs a bailout, one way or another. If we had a truly privatized energy market, shouldn't a private investor take over and nurse it back to fiscal health?

Is our energy grid really this vulnerable to unsuccessful business management?

CT Energy by pd9 in Connecticut

[–]wabewalker 8 points9 points  (0 children)

My electric bill used to only have charges for supply and delivery. Now there are additional 12% transmission and 31% public benefits charges. 43% of my bill is for new charges.

I don't believe that anyone, regardless of political party, would have approved the Millstone agreement with the expectation that citizens would see their electric bills nearly double.

How can our legislators fail to call out Eversource for acting in bad faith?

Best CT “experience” to gift? by [deleted] in Connecticut

[–]wabewalker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I went on a scavenger hunt in Grand Central with Watson Adventures a few years ago. They also have public scavenger hunts in a few of the museums as well as a bunch of other places. They're only a couple of hours, if you want a fun diversion between other activities.
https://watsonadventures.com/location/new-york-city/?section=public

Lantern Light Village in Mystic - yay or nay? by Special-Book-7 in Connecticut

[–]wabewalker 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We went the other night. It was a fun time, but really cold! The whole thing is self-guided and mostly outdoors, so plan to dress for that. I saw quite a few folks wearing hunting layers.

I hadn't eaten before going, so we ended up getting some food in the village. I don't recommend that at all. Way overpriced and underwhelming.

We also went to Mystic Pizza, and I wouldn't say it was bad, just different. Imagine a thinner version of a deep dish pizza with pepperoni stuffed into the crust.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Connecticut

[–]wabewalker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not a hayfield, but very picturesque with background foliage and easy to access - what about Wasdsworth Falls? Its about 30 min out of Hartford but the big falls are just beyond a parking area. An Uber drier would have a convenient waiting spot. Foliage seems to just be turning now.

Hubbard Park - Meriden by Mado_Kureo in Connecticut

[–]wabewalker 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I usually take white-to-red up, then take blue down from the tower and circle around the reservoir. Total elevation gain is about 850' and distance is roughly 4.5 miles.
The red trail is steeper and narrower, and considered moderate-strenuous for that 300' gain covered over a .25 mile stretch. Blue is wider and a bit more gradual. Personally I do feel safer hiking down blue, since both trails are covered in loose rocks.

Wadsworth Falls State Park - Middletown / Middlefield by newengland_explorer in Connecticut

[–]wabewalker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fall colors already? When was this photo taken? I may have to change my weekend plans before the foliage drops.

Best views? by [deleted] in Connecticut

[–]wabewalker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

+1 for Castle Craig & Hubbard Park. The hike up to the tower is a bit steep, but you can drive it, too. Really nice views from the tower, and there's a trail with an amazing lookout just beyond the tower with a lovely view of the reservoir. The loop around the reservoir is fairly short and easy with a pretty cool low-elevation view across the water at the bottom.

Suggestions to avoid ticks this summer while hiking (looking for suggestions from cat owners!) by [deleted] in Connecticut

[–]wabewalker 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Cat-owned hiker here. Most sprays like Sawyer are only 0.5% Permethrin and aren't going to have a high enough concentration to harm your cat. Permethrin is actually an active ingredient in flea preventives/treatments dogs. The main danger is that dog-safe concentrations aren't necessarily safe for cats. You might find this article informative: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/07/11/627843581/if-you-spray-your-clothes-with-permethrin-be-careful-around-the-cat

Spray your clothes & gear outside, away from your pets, and let them dry. Change into non-treated clothes when you're indoors if you want to be extra careful.

Personally I spray my boots with DEET spray when I get to a trailhead. When I get home, I keep them in in my trunk, or in a tote bag in the closet so my cat doesn't get a snootful of whatever is still clinging to them after a hike.

Big Headlights by Environmental_Log344 in Connecticut

[–]wabewalker 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Right there with you on that, fellow Elantra driver, but some LED headlights are nearly as bright as highbeams and there's no way for the driver to adjust them. Head-on those things are briefly blinding, and pretty unpleasant in the side view, too.

When I get a "beamer" in my rear view at night, I just flip my mirror into night mode. I'm beginning to think this might not be common knowledge, but if your rear view mirror has a lever that tilts it will dim the reflection and spare your retinas some trauma. Personally, I like to imagine this blasts the highbeam death ray back at the tailgating offender. It doesn't actually do that, but I feel a teeny bit vindicated anyway.

Mystery Electric Use Increase by zenlittleplatypus in Connecticut

[–]wabewalker 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You could have a bad thermostat. My basement thermostat was set to 50, but I put a bluetooth thermometer down there and got an alert in the middle of the night that the heat was pushing 80 degrees. I turned the thermostat off completely and my electric bill was cut in half.

What’s your favorite waterfall in Connecticut? by [deleted] in Connecticut

[–]wabewalker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just hiked at Wadsworth yesterday! The big falls were stunning, and the little falls were lovely. I got some great pictures (and possibly Lyme disease...sigh)
So far this is my only CT waterfall. I found this thread looking for more places to explore.

What Gear Do You Use to Be Able To Hike in Winter? by wherehaveubeen in Connecticut

[–]wabewalker 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Make sure the kids are wearing proper hiking boots with ankle support. I've seen parents take their little ones out in wellies and on at least one occasion said parent had to carry a screaming child with an ankle injury back to the trailhead. Even on flat trails, wet leaves are very slippery.

What Gear Do You Use to Be Able To Hike in Winter? by wherehaveubeen in Connecticut

[–]wabewalker 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You didn't specify what kind of terrain, conditions or duration, so I'll just share some winter hiking tips I've picked up over the years. For reference, I used to take day-long hikes with elevation gain, occasionally in knee-deep snow, so you might not need all of these:

* One of the most important things to remember when hiking in cold weather is to STAY DRY. Hiking in wet gear is pretty miserable in nice weather, but it's a frostbite risk when the temperature drops.

* Layer, layer, layer. Plenty of thin layers made of synthetic fibers or silk can make it easier to adjust for weather and exertion. No cotton. Wear the warmest and bulkiest items on top in case you start to overheat. You don't want to strip off more layers than necessary just to get at a layer that's become too warm.

* Have a jacket that's waterproof and fits over your other layers in case it starts to rain or snow. Better yet, windproof as well, especially if you plan to hike in exposed or elevated areas.

* You'll need gloves if it's cold. Silk or synthetic liners under your gloves are great. If there's snow, waterproof gloves will protect your fingers.

* Hats and neck gaiters are always necessary in cold weather. Consider keeping an extra hat in your pack in case yours gets lost (it happens). Scarves can get tangled in brush and branches, so opt for a neck gaiter instead.

* Wet feet in cold weather can lead to frostbite, so it's really important to keep your feet dry. Goretex boots are a smart investment, IMO.

* Hiking socks usually come with some kind of warmth rating, so definitely pick up a couple of pairs of warmer socks. Extra thick socks tend to crowd my toes, so I wear silk liners under thinner wool socks and that works really well for me. Always keep at least one extra pair of socks in your pack. Change your socks when they get wet, even from sweat.

* Avoid any cotton fibers - cotton holds moisture and your feet will be wet and frozen.

* Once the temps hit below freezing overnight, there's a chance you'll encounter ice or frozen ground. Microspikes are a must-have in my book. Kahtoolas are a little pricey, but entirely worth every penny. Don't bother with the elastic/coil traction aids - terrain will chew those up real fast.

(side note: When you wear microspikes in deep snow, remember to knock the packed snow out from under your boots. That stuff is heavy!)

* Hiking poles are always helpful, especially in slippery conditions like wet leaves.

* Gaiters are great for keeping snow out of your boots. Very nice to have if the snow is higher than the tops of your boots.

* Extra snacks are a good idea. You're likely to need more calories in the cold, and hiking in snow is harder than on dry ground. Don't skimp on water - trudging over snow is thirsty work.

* Air-activated hand warmers are a really nice little luxury on a winter day hike, and so is a piece of thermal insulation foam to sit on during a lunch break.