Leon Levy Preserve, Lewisboro, N.Y.

Went for a walk today in the Leon Levy Preserve, in Lewisboro, N.Y. on Route 123, Smith Ridge Road.  The Preserve is only minutes from New Canaan or Ridgefield, CT.

The Leon Levy Preserve is 383 acres and as it is so new, trails are still being made.  We were able to go for a decent 90 minute walk today and we did not walk all the trails.  This is a walk in the woods, not a hike, though I would recommend wearing hiking boots due to some wetland areas and uneven terrain.

Dogs are allowed at the Preserve but are suppose to be on a
leash.  Our dog had her leash but we came across a few who were not, so just be aware.

The parking lot had ample space and right now is the time to go.  The foliage was beautiful and a great place to get out and take the dog for a longer than usual walk.  The Preserve also has a few ruins of houses, even a laboratory, which could make for some excellent photo ops.

For directions and trail maps (horses are allowed on certain trails), go to: http://www.lewisborogov.com/parksrec/page/leon-levy-preserve

The trails were very wide and well maintained.  

Some nice rocks to climb to look over into a gorge.

There were a few educational posts throughout the trails.

Air Line State Park Trail - Start point East Hamptom, CT

 Usually when we go for a bike ride, we head up to New York to The Hudson Valley Rail Trail System, as Connecticut seems to be lacking in bike trails.  However, the Airline State Park is a nice change!

We tried out the Airline State Park Trail, with 50 miles to explore, and we were not disappointed.  It is a trail that is still a work in progress and do not bring your road bike, this trail is best for hybrids or mountain bikes (but I would prefer a hybrid).  The trail is mostly compacted earth but there are areas that are a bit sandy and some pot holes (not large).  As it was a rail trail, it is fairly level but there are areas that do have a slight incline.  This can make biking tiring but when you turn around, makes for a fast and easy ride.

As I mentioned, the trail is still a work in progress, so we started out at East Hampton where the trail begins.  The website said that parking in East Hampton could be difficult but we found plenty of parking at the municipal lot right at the start of the trail.  The lot is right in town and next to a pizza restaurant; which by the smell we knew we would be visiting after the ride.

Plenty of parking on a beautiful Sunday and the other side of the lot was completely empty. The trail begins right by those yellow poles and you go over a bike bridge before crossing a small road and it appears the path officially begins by a Cranberry Bog.

For the next six miles we were on the trail.  After six miles, the path goes through a parking lot and you do have to be on a fairly busy road and pass an entrance to Route 2, so you need to be aware.  However, we might have been on the road about 50 yards and there is sidewalk before entering the trail again.  So, not so much of a big deal.  

If you want a great bike ride, this place will be beautiful come mid October.  The foliage will be stunning and some of the views over the old viaducts which have been filled in (watch little children as they are steep) are amazing.  For information, visit the Park's website: http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=479336&deepNav_GID=1650

We only got to do 20 miles but hope to be back soon to see the rest of the trail.  As for the views that we did see....

Its been a long, long, winter but the skiing was good!

Well, its hard to post when its cold and events have been on hold.  Its been a long and cold Winter and  I've been hibernating or skiing.  It was a great year to ski in the Northeast if you like brutally cold weather.  We arrived in Stowe, VT in February, the temperate was -14F (-25C) and that was before the wind chill.

Even though the season is almost over, it might be time to start to think about next season and how to save some money.  As our ski club is a member of the CT Ski Council, we have access to discounts, appreciation days and bulk tickets.  If interested, check out a CT Ski Council club near you on their  website: http://www.skiclub.com.  You can also check out the New Canaan Ski Club (members of the CT Ski Council) at: http://www.newcanaanskiclub.org.  Fairfield County has many other ski clubs as well.  Danbury, Norwalk, Swedish Ski Club, Pinnacle and more.  For a list of clubs and their location, go to: http://www.skiclub.com/Default.aspx?uc=JoinAClub