Now for a very special place everyone in the region should know and care about: The Coogan Farm in Mystic, Connecticut, has been transformed. Grand opening – open to all – is Monday, April 25, 1 p.m., when Governor Dannel Malloy, U.S. Representative Joe Courtney, plus state, local, and Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) officials together with the Avery and Schneider families, will open the next chapter for this land, sky, human history, natural treasure.

The dedication of the John E. Avery House & Welcome Center and the Jules X. Schneider Nature & Arts Barn event is co-hosted by DPNC with the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut. Light refreshments will be provided by A Thyme To Cook following the ceremony. This year the center will celebrate 70 years of environmentalism, education and just plain fun – for information call Elissa Bass, (860) 536-1216 or e-mail ebass@dpnc.org.

A network of trails at Coogan Farm link a 300-acre greenway with the region. The Greenmanville Trail will allow visitors to walk or bike through the farm to the Mystic Seaport, Mystic Aquarium, Denison Homestead and the DPNC Nature Center. Community gardens that will get growing, and provide an educational component to healthy eating and hands-on how-to-grow knowledge.

DPNC naturalists now have new teaching sites, outdoor classrooms and historic buildings. And there is history here in abundance.

“The property now known as Coogan Farm began to take shape in the 17th-century when Captain John Gallup received a 500-acre land grant from John Winthrop, Jr. for his efforts in the Pequot War. This land was west of Captain George Denison’s land and eventually bounded by the Mystic River at the farthest western edge. Gallup built his house on the west slope of the north-south ridge that divides the land. A stone-lined well marks the approximate location of the old Gallup Homestead. Recent clearing on the property has revealed what we believe to be the site of this early homestead.”

Now on to a the season at hand and one small natural wonder seen recently.

Yes, it's really spring, despite alternating blasts of cold, torrential rain, wind, and balmy sunshine – look around and see Mother Earth's own salute to the start of the growing season. Skunk cabbage, red-winged blackbirds in abundance oka-lee. Robins. Songbirds tuning up early mornings. Well. Take a walk, bring your young humans to a playground, let the energy burst out and spring fever kick up its heels. Brush out caked-on mud, check over hooves and fetlocks for any sign of chapping or thrush, then put your back into it, use some muscle to help your equine shed out. Make time to give your canine pals a good walk, throw the ball, give them a good run.

Stay aware as there are true marvels to behold. For instance, a tiny pink-red bud (seen in a photo here) about to open is very likely Anemone quinquefolia.

“The flower of this plant is white but in bud it can be pink; … the leaves in the picture are clearly those of Anemone quinefolia. It's a common spring ephemeral and I bet if you returned this weekend the flower would be open and you'd recognize it.” Our thanks go out to Robert S. Capers, plant collections manager, George Safford Torrey Herbarium, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Connecticut, Storrs, who graciously took time to respond and identify this beautiful small wildflower. Many thanks.

Last, but not least, a view from the saddle of a spring fever cross-country gallop elsewhere.
YouTube video by Kira Okaido “First time doing most of the jumps. He really was not sure about the tires, and he had a bit of a hmmmha moment on two of the others.” Have to admire her view from her 13.2 hand Hackney facing obstacles. Note the GoPro on her helmet (seen in shadows on the ground). Not all can ride, but she shares her rider's-eye view and skill of a spring cross-country ride. Here's to hoping she continues to record her rides.