When we want to get away, we often think of the beautiful Rhode Island coastline, which is only an hour or so away from Mansfield CT.

This summer we rented an oceanfront home and enjoyed the long docks jutting out from the rocky coastline in Jamestown RI.  A wonderful place to sit and relax in the late afternoon – at night we watched the flickering lights from the ships anchored in the harbor and the homes just across the harbor in Newport RI.

 

Everyone needs to take a few days off to enjoy family and friends. We were able to do so in Jamestown, Rhode Island this summer, a beautiful island only an hour or so away from any of Connecticuts towns surrounding Mansfield, CT.  Connected by a bridge to Newport RI, you can enjoy the quiet village and harbor with charming shops and  restaurants, or go to Newport for a day or evening to explore the mansions, beaches, fabulous restaurants and endless shopping.

Watching the yawl sailing by as the fog began to roll in reminds me of the coast of Maine and the many summers spent there as a child at my grandparents home.  With  the fog horn sounding in the distance it seems like the world slows down and there is no choice but to relax and slow down with it – Newport can wait, maybe we’ll go in for dinner tonight……..

 

Mansfield Ct has picturesque homes dotted along it’s scenic roads as well as some very pretty cul-de-sac  neighborhoods.  Chatham Drive along with Derek Drive is a small, upscale neighborhood of approximately 15 homes located just off  Browns Road, the neighborhood is within easy access to UConn, ESCU, Windham Hospital and Hartford CT. 

The area surrounding Chatham Drive and Derek Drive has walking trails that lead past other small neighborhoods in Mansfield CT including Sheffield Drive, Coventry Road and along to Beacon Hill just off  Mansfield City Road.  With a strong sense of conservation and preservation, most of the neighborhoods sprinkled throughout Mansfield CT have been developed with only a few homes, while the larger neighborhoods may have up to 30 homes. All new development in Storrs Mansfield CT requires a landscape architect designed plan to help thoughtfully develop land and preserve the natural beauty of the area.

 

I have always loved the look of this home, it could be on Block Island as easily as Mansfield CT – country chic with rambling, classic village antique home.

 

Columbia Lake in Columbia Connecticut has had it’s share of summer rain this year. As we watch from inside the house, our grandson, Alex, takes this great pic of the raindrops dancing on the deck railing one summer night in July. 

We are leaving soon to spend a week at the ocean and have rented an oceanfront home in Jamestown RI, which is only an hour or so away from Columbia Lake.  This is the perfect getaway, if someone really needs us we can even drive back for an afternoon, but usually the laptop, iphone and blackberry keep us in touch with our clients – hopefully it will not rain all week!

 

Coventry Lake in Coventry CT has a number of beautiful beaches in the private associations surrounding the lake. The view from this beach is stunning in the late hours of a beautiful summer day.

 

Coventry Lake in Coventry Ct  just before dusk is still action packed, with over  373 acres of  beautiful water, there is  plenty of room for everyone to have fun, fun, fun! On this beautiful summer evening the fishermen relax peacefully in the middle of the lake while the spray from the jet ski in the background does not even warrant a head turn, the fish must be biting!  I am lucky enough to have spent many fabulous summers on Coventry lake and know that this is a great place to live as a  full time residence,  enjoy a wonderful vacation or just find a little cottage for a fantastic weekend retreat – it’s hard not to have fun here!

 

When you name your property “Tranquility” it can only mean one thing – this is your peaceful retreat. This property in Storrs Mansfield, CT is located in what is often called “The Last Green Valley” between New York and Boston.  Located only a short distance from the UConn campus, the blend of a tranquil lifestyle within a vibrant University community is hard to find and is one of the reasons homes in the  town of Storrs Mansfield, CT are  always sought after.

 

This charming historic barn is located in Mansfield Center, CT.  Mansfield Center is one of the historic village centers in the town of Mansfield, CT.  Historic homes line what is now Storrs Road and a charming county store as well as the elegant Fitch House Bed and Breakfast are located here.

 

Jacobson Barn on Horsebarn Hill in Storrs CT……….beautiful views, pastures and a peaceful setting. Watching the sunrise over Horsebarn Hill has been a tradition for many generations of UConn students and those who live in or visit the area, it is a stunning display!