Dates visited: 8/8/2020 & 12/11/2020

This is a park in Guilford. Like so many other town parks, there are athletic fields and playgrounds in the main park, and hiking trails in the back. These trails also include a frisbee golf course. We came here initially shortly after Tropical Storm Isaias. We got about 2/3 of the way through the main loop trail but were unable to continue because of downed trees. I could not find a way around. It was also a very hot day, and the dogs were tired, so we cut the trip short and I found a short cut back to the car. We came back in December, and the damage had been cleared, and part of the trail had been re-routed. We were able to complete the trail.

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Date visited: 7/20/2021

This is a fun trail on a hot and hazy day. We followed the blue trail, which appears to be part of the "New England Trail", through a rock garden, out to a meadow. It goes near the river, where Mandy was able to cool off for a bit to get ready to go for the next part of the trail through the un-shaded meadow. I would say maybe a quarter of the 3.5 miles total is in the meadow, that features wild sunflowers. We also encounterd the biggest snake I've ever seen on a hike!

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Date visited: 3/14/2022

There are some great trails in this area of the state. Unfortunately, this isn't one of them. The back end of the trail, the "red loop", is terribly overgrown and washed out in places. I had to carry the dogs over a few flooded out areas. Near the trail head, we encountered an off-leash dog that came charging out at us. When this happens, I always take a picture of the dog, just in case the dog isn't friendly and attacks us. The owner got upset with me for taking a picture of his dog without his permission. Of course this is the same person who lets his dog run loose off-leash charging at people. All in all, this wasn't one of our better trails.

Date visited: 8/8/2020

This one is pure nostalgia. Our family had property on this street, and I have many happy memories of spending summer days by West Lake at my grandparent's house. The property is no longer in our family, but I was in the area, and it was just neat to visit the street.

Date visited: 11/7/2021

We hiked the Kampmeyer Trail, part of the Kampmeyer Preserve, which is Guilford Land Conservation Trust property. The trail is pretty narrow in places, but we didn't have too many problems traversing it. The trail also incorportates part of the Shoreline Electric Trolley Roadbed Trail, which connects to trails in North Branford. I was amazed that on November 7th, that the fall colors were still pretty strong here. Actually, large swaths of the foliage were still quite green. Counting the detour we took on the trolley trail into North Branford, we hiked four miles here.

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Date visited: 11/5/2021

This is a traditional Town Green in downtown Guilford. We walked around the green a couple of times.

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Date visited: 11/5/2021

This is a public beach in Guilford. Dogs aren't allowed on the beach area where people swim, but there is a short trail past the beach where people walk their dogs that has access to the water.

Date visited: 11/5/2021

This is another public park in Guilford with access to the water. There is no beach area, but there are rocky areas where people fish. There is also a picnic area in the park.

Date visited: 11/6/2022

Westwoods is a massive trail system maintained by Guilford Land Conservation Trust. There are 39 miles of trails here spread out over 1200 acres of land. We hiked the "Green Circle" loop, which is a fun and challenging trail. The large rock formations about halfway through are the highlight. The trail also sports a long wooden walkway over a swampy area. It was 72 degrees and humid, so the ups and downs and climbing on the rocks and roots made for a good workout. It was hard to follow the trail at times, because the entire route was covered with leaves. The leaves were slippery, so I had to be very cautous, especially going down hill.

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Date visited: 8/28/2024

What's this? A dog friendly beach in Connecticut? Yes! Leashed dogs are allowed here year round. This is a small beach, tucked away inside a cove with very mild waves - just the way Mandy and Lexi like it. Of course, they were just groomed so I was hesitant to let them go in the water, but as it turned out, they weren't that into it anyway. They pretty much just got their paws wet. This beach used to be known as Daniel Avenue Beach, but was renamed after Barbara Pine in 2017. The late Pine was on the parks and recreation commission in town, and was a strong advocated for allowing dogs on the beach! So they are allowed here. There are even poop bag dispensers! The beach is small, so we walked around the very nice neighborhood as well. This is a good place to stop with your dogs on a hot day if they need a quick dip.

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