The West Rock is the Better of the Two Rocks

Newly able, as are we all, to move around outside without being dogged by crushing heat, I went for a short bike ride this morning to West Rock Ridge State Park, which is about a half-hour away at my prevailing cycle-tempo. This is kind of the "other" rock from New Haven's perspective, since East Rock is just north of the city, maybe about a mile from my apartment.

The way to West Rock is flat and can be taken mostly on residential roads, so it's pretty low-key. The Rock itself affords a wide view of the city that today was kind of hazy, as you can see from the picture above. Very few people were out today: basically no one in the Park itself, and not a lot of activity on most of the roads on the way there. This actually disappointed me a bit; I think the type of Desire for Hermitage that comes to me on quiet Sundays affords a soft spot for people in the background.

East Rock's view of the city, compared to West Rock's, is easily more striking. Pete, you'll remember it from when you were in New Haven briefly: we went up there in the evening, and looked over the city sunset, and neither of us said anything for about a minute, just watching. It was a very traditionally inspiring view, and I don't think this was lost on you either, since finally you said something, still looking out over the view, along the lines of "Yeah . . . I think we're basically going to destroy everything within about twenty years."

Biking up West Rock itself isn't too hard, going by a paved and only moderately steep road. The way up to East Rock, on the other hand, whoof: now that hill ain't no Professor Pickles.