Connecticut!
The Bongos head to the SMALLEST state with the BIGGEST surprises — Connecticut! Tall ships, secret lighthouses, the world's first hamburger, and more hermit crabs than Billy could ever count!
Connecticut Highlights
Mystic Seaport Museum
The family explored America's largest maritime museum in the village of Mystic! They climbed aboard a real 1841 whaling ship called the Charles W. Morgan — the last wooden whaling ship in the world. Billy learned that sailors used to be at sea for up to 4 YEARS without coming home. That's a LOT of missed birthdays!
Lighthouse Spotting on the Sound
Connecticut has 23 lighthouses along Long Island Sound, and Billy was determined to find every single one! The oldest is the New London Harbor Light, built in 1801 — that's over 220 years ago! Bella drew each one in her sketchbook and gave them all names. Her favorite was 'Sparkle' (officially called Lynde Point Light).
Mark Twain's House in Hartford
Dad nearly cried with happiness at the Mark Twain House in Hartford! The author of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn lived here from 1874 to 1891. The house has 19 rooms and was one of the first private homes in America to have a telephone installed. Mom had to physically drag Dad out after two hours of reading every single exhibit label.
Hammonasset Beach State Park
Connecticut's longest public beach stretches for 2 full miles along Long Island Sound! Billy found the most amazing hermit crabs in the tide pools — he counted 31 in one afternoon. The water is warmer here than most New England beaches because Long Island blocks the cold Atlantic currents. Bella called it 'the sneaky warm beach.'
In Their Own Words
"Connecticut feels like stepping right into a storybook! Every little town has a white church steeple, a village green, and a general store that smells like cinnamon. I filled THREE whole pages of my sketchbook in one single afternoon — and I still didn't draw everything!"
"Did you know Connecticut has over 100 miles of coastline along Long Island Sound? The Sound is like a giant protected bay — that's why the water is calmer and warmer than the open Atlantic! I found the COOLEST hermit crab at Hammonasset Beach. I named him Captain Claws."
Connecticut Fun Facts
Connecticut was the 5th state to ratify the Constitution in 1788 — that's why it's called 'The Constitution State!'
The hamburger was invented in New Haven, Connecticut in 1900 at Louis' Lunch — they still serve burgers the exact same way today!
Connecticut is only 110 miles long and 70 miles wide — you could drive across the whole state in about 90 minutes!
The state flower is the mountain laurel — it blooms every June and turns Connecticut's hillsides pink and white. Bella pressed one into her journal!
The adventure keeps rolling... but where will the Bongo family zoom off to next? The map is wide open — cast your vote and help decide!
16 states still to explore — help the Bongo family decide!
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