Weekending in Harkness Park in Waterford and the Sunflower Farm in Griswold

We took a weekend trip on a hot, sunny day in July to Harkness Park in Waterford, CT. The land was owned by the Harkness family of the early 20th century and includes a 180 degree view of the Long Island Sound, several small beaches, a large grassy field, an ampitheater, and the mansion and surrounding gardens in which they and their summer help lived. It was exciting for Megan to be on such a beautiful picnic, to jump over some waves, and to have an impromptu private 5 minute tour of the mansion.

After lunch, we hopped back in the car for a side trip to a sunflower farm where they sell sunflowers for the Make a Wish charity one week out of the year. They also have an ice cream stand and feature SUNFLOWER ICE CREAM - a honey sweetened vanilla with clusters of carmel coated roasted sunflower seeds. We did not take the tractor ride through the field of sunflowers because of the heat and fear of bees.