Visiting I-Park in East Haddam, CT

A few days ago, I was a bit depressed. I was all sorts of feeling sorry for the state of affairs in the world. I do a lot of reading and watching a wide variety of videos online and pretty much came to the conclusion that we are in disarray. I won’t even tell you the volume of research I do into these areas because I will just start feeling bad again.

So there I was, pouting away when my better half approaches me and says, “Hey, do you want to go visit that I-Park place I was telling you about? It’s really cool. Different artists create pieces that fit nicely in natural habitats.” Now, you can imagine the thoughts that were coursing through mind at that instant. I didn’t verbalize any of them, but they were pretty much to the effect of…You want me to go try to enjoy some artwork in the woods while there are so many more important things to worry about? I have never been one to really enjoy art as much as others do. I mean, I do once it is in front of me, but getting there is difficult.

We went anyway. I didn’t want to go, but for the sake of our relationship, we went. My goal was to pull up and park, walk around for a bit with a fake smile and then leave.

When we arrived at I-Park, I was pleased to discover that the property was situated in one of my favorite places in Connecticut. It was in close proximity to Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Haddam. Why do I like this area so much? Well, because the masses haven’t invaded it yet. There is very little traffic and it’s quite peaceful. I actually wish we lived on a nice large piece of land there.

I am going to be honest with you. My bad mood started to slide off me. As I walked around I-Park, I began to discover that these people really didn’t need to know about all the bad things I knew. I am not even going to try to get into their heads, but I started realizing that simply living in a nice environment, doing what you love is actually much more rewarding than getting all caught up in other people’s business. I really have to learn to relax and get out more often. My mental health depends on it.

We walked around for a good long while. The I-Park property is acres and acres, so there was plenty to do. It’s very pretty, with a big lake and great walking trails through meadows and woods. There were many displays to pause at and absorb. By the time we were done, I had completely forgotten what I was so annoyed at and started pondering strategies that would help me become less dependent on the internet and all the bad news it provides. Since I was a kid, I have fantasized about having a great big piece of property somewhere and cutting nice trails through it all day long. That would be the life.

Anyway, I took a bunch of pictures. When I say a bunch, I mean a bunch. I am going to post them below in gallery format. Please feel free to click each one for a closer look and if you tell anyone I am the guy who felt sorry for himself when I walked in this place, I’ll deny it.