Meeting Time: 10:00 AM

Max # People: 30

Trip Guiding / Event Fee: Yes, but only to cover shared expenses, and I too am paying

Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate

The Brownstone Park was originally the largest brownstone quarry around, where all the brownstone came from to build Yale, Wesleyan University, and many major buildings around the Northeast.? There was a major flood 60 or so years ago, in which the CT River overflowed its banks and flooded the quarry, effectively ending the majority of commercial quarrying.? Now, it’s a hidden gem and offers activities for people of all ages and skill levels.? You would never know from the outside, but inside the quarry, it’s an oasis of water, rock, and trees.

Come enjoy what's forecasted to be the most beautiful day of the Labor Day weekend.  Sit and relax or go all out and work up an appetite with all the activities available.  We will be meeting at 10 AM at the life vests after getting through the entrance of the park.  If you can't come then, the park is open all day and you can come any time!

I’m definitely going to be doing the zip lines, cliff jumping, and rock wall climbing.? But it is not required by any means.? For those who just want to sit by the water, read a book, and people watch, the general admission is $19.? The adventure pass is $29, which gives access to basically everything else.? The wake boards and paddle boards are rentals though.? The good news is that parking is free, and people can bring all their own food.? Life vests are provided free as part of the admission, or people can wear a 3 mm wet suit to count as an approved floatation device.? There are floating gazebos for rental, but there are also plenty of tables and chairs for free use as well.? I’ve even seen some groups bring big fold-out canopies.

I think there is a 10% group discount for 10 or more people, so if we can get that many people to commit to going, we can ask for the group discount, even if we don't all go through at the same time.

Last year or the year before, we had a GO group at the quarry, and it was very well received.? I just saw MikeT, one of the guys who went, at a Prime Timers meeting, and he mentioned again that we should try to get another group going.? Since this is an outdoor activity and very weather dependent, it’s hard to plan this way in advance.? But this Saturday looks like it’s going to be a spectacular day for some fun and sun at Brownstone!

I’m pretty much going to go, but I would love to have as many GO members join as possible.? It’s always much more fun in a group.

http://brownstonepark.com/

From Route 9 North or South in Middletown, proceed eastbound over the Arrigoni Bridge (Route 17) and at the fifth stop light, take a left onto Middlesex Avenue. At the stop sign, turn left onto Brownstone Avenue. Parking will be on your right.

Meet at the life vests just inside the entrance to the park.