My boring little hometown | Waterford, CT

“Next to New York,” has been my go-to phrase abroad after telling people I’m from Connecticut. The need for further explanation is implied through a puzzled face or blunt phrase such as, “What is Connecticut?” Occasionally, someone knows Connecticut is a state in the US, but the knowledge usually does not surpass that mere geographical information. Once New York is mentioned, their eyes widen and something similar to “Ahh, New York!” follows. However, I do not feel offended because of course my tiny state is overshadowed by the larger surrounding cities. Connecticut itself can feel unimportant, let alone the small coastal town of Waterford.

Okay I’m being dramatic. Waterford is a beautiful and quiet town nestled in the Long Island Sound. It sits between New London, which used to be a famous whaling district, and Niantic, while also being about a 20-minute drive to Mystic. Both Niantic and Mystic do have small downtown areas with enough shops and restaurants to spend an afternoon in. They are incomparable to the downtowns of major cities, but they have quaint, coastal vibes to them. Waterford is merely a suburban town sandwiched between slightly cooler spots, providing a peaceful and safe place to raise kids (I imagine). As a twenty-two-year-old, it’s not exactly a hip, bustling spot to feel inspired by, but I did promise to discuss its perks.

Though this is not necessarily Waterford-specific, it is arguably the best part about living there. Due to the latitude of the state, I grew up experiencing the frigid winters, vibrant springs, beautiful summers, and colorful falls.

Waterford thrives in the summer because the ocean is its greatest asset. The warmth of the sun allows the town to take on a coastal New England vibe, which it can sometimes lack during colder months. While the summers feel relatively short, they are the perfect temperature – not too cold or hot. On the best days, my friends and I would spend hours on the beach with a grinder and chips from the nearby “Little Store.” Apparently, this is not the actual name of the market, but it is, in fact, a very little store. Therefore, I guess that’s what everybody calls it. After a couple back and forth trips between the ocean and towel, we would often drive to one of the nearby towns for ice cream. The temperature dropped just enough at night for a summer fire, where we’d circle around the flames and listen to the playlist of that season. Even now, a certain song will bring me back to a specific summer memory like this, likely because we played it on repeat for those couple of months.

After the more intensely hot days pass and the schools start back up, the crisp mornings return, signaling the arrival of Fall. Just as quickly as the leaves change color, the activities available around town do as well. Once the beach towels are put away and the bathing suits are hung up for the year, it will be another eight months or so until the “beachy” vibe of Waterford returns. However, the colors of Autumn are amazing, serving as a reminder that with change comes beauty as well. The crisp mornings feel refreshing after the humidity of previous months, and there is a new excitement for all activities surrounding apples and pumpkins: apple picking, apple cider donuts, of course, pumpkin spice everything. During fall, I am happy to succumb to the stereotypical white-girl-with-her-pumpkin-spice-latte, because it makes me incredibly happy. Nothing beats starting off a cold morning with a warm coffee releasing notes of cinnamon and cloves.

Unfortunately, the vibrant colors fade quickly as the leaves begin to fall and the landscape turns gray. The winter months in Waterford are, to be frank, cold and depressing. However, it’s possible that’s just a me problem. I feel better when I’m outside in the sun, something I simply refuse to do when the temperatures are below zero. There is not much to say about this time of the year, as everyone is essentially hibernating until slightly warmer days pop up, signifying the coming spring. Just as the transitional period of fall is wonderful here, springtime brings another breath of fresh air to the town. Gradually, the temperature rises and so does one’s spirits.

This cycle can bring with it a rollercoaster of emotions, but experiencing the everchanging seasons is something I miss anytime I’m away from New England. My first realization of how special it is was during my first semester at school in Georgia. Though the famous southern trees were beautiful, the colors didn’t change! Essentially, the climate turned colder without any heads up – not cool. It was that period I recognized the true beauty of the four seasons, each change symbolizing a new beginning if you want it to be.

If I haven’t made Waterford sound like the lamest place on the entire face of the earth, it does have one noteworthy spot: Harkness State Park. Formerly owned by the wealthy Harkness family, the large plot of land faces the ocean and hosts various spaces for different activities. Often a site for weddings, the mansion where the family previously lived is beautiful (pictured below), and you can go inside for a free tour. Surrounding the mansion is a garden where blooming flowers sprout in the Spring, inviting bees and butterflies. In the summer, families often have picnics or fly kites in the lawn, which spreads out until it hits the beach. There are loops to run or ride bikes, and it is the one lively place in Waterford during warmer months. The landscape is truly striking, something I did not appreciate until I had spent time away from home.