New Adventures: Ladies Hike

I was invited by the ladies at church to join them for a hike and picnic. We went to Heublein Tower in Simsbury Connecticut. The colors were just starting to change. I learned a new phrase "Leaf Peeping". This is for people who travel to view the fall foliage. It is a very popular phrase in the New England area. Even the Weather forecasters on the news use it! We had a cool day, but lots of sunshine. Great day for a hike! First we hiked to the tower, then we went into the tower. It has 120 steps to the TOP. Then we had lunch. Then hiked back down.

Start of the trail.

And we are off!

Pause mid way. This was after the hardest/steepest part of the trail. No I was not the youngest- the baby in the front pack in pink is 5 months old.

Laughing at trying to get a group picture with Lucy the dog.

View from the midpoint

Time to get moving the breeze is a bit cool!

History:

The Heublein Tower was built as a retreat for Gilbert F Heublein and his family. He is known for an international food and beverage importing firm. The property that the tower is on is approximately 350 contiguous acres in the Talcott Mountains. During prohibition the Heublein family was able to still make money with A1 Stake sauce. The tower that is there today is really the 3rd tower. The first one blew down, the second burned down. At the top of the tower they have a room that is 360 degrees of windows. On clear days you can see all the way to Massachusetts. They also have tour guides and a bit of history on the way up the tower. One room does not have paneling on the walls so you can see the inside of the tower.

Mr. Heublein (bust) and one of his products that he imports.

How they survived prohibition

The architecture of the Heublein Tower

View from the top of the tower.

Another view from the top of the tower

Clear day!

You can see another path down, this is for emergency's only. Only Emergency vehicles are allowed this high. Even Employees of the tower have to hike up!