July 21-22, Essex, CT.

Doris and Rick Spears leave us early today and head to Washington, DC. We cruise back down river to Essex and dock at the Chandlery at Essex, a marina located right at the foot of the main street so everything is within walking distance.

Chandlery at Essex, our marina

Connecticut River Maritime Museum

We walk through town and end up at the Connecticut River Maritime Museum. Small but nice museum featuring some exhibits on the British invasion of this area during the War of 1812 which resulted in the burning of many local ships both at anchor and under construction. Some very small and well done model "ships in the bottle" too.

We walk around town and find lots of pretty homes from the early colonial times and pretty gardens, too.

Famous Griswald Hotel

We really like Essex!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Second night here we elect to go on a mooring just to "try it out". Found it pretty easy and there is a launch to take us ashore so we do not have to take our dingy down for this location. Connecticut River is a pretty place to be and the weather has been beautiful. Lots more boat traffic on the water today as it is Sunday on the water.

Essex has lots of interesting bird houses that are one of a kind. Maybe they have an informal competition for the most unusual.






Essex is a beautiful small classic New England village with many homes from colonial times. It appears to be wealthy and well maintained, though not much sign of local employment except the marinas, a few shops and several real estate offices.