You don’t get more “Westport” than last week’s Photo Challenge.
Michael Tomashefsky’s image showed rocks, a jetty and water. It’s a scene we see all over town — from Frost Point on Beachside Avenue and nearby Burying Hill Beach, to Sherwood Island, Schlaet’s Point and Compo.
Those were some of the guesses. Others ranged further afield: Cockenoe, and Canfield/Sprite Island. John McCarthy was somewhat correct, but not quite precise enough, when he suggested “somewhere near the water.”
The first winner was Diane Silfen. She knew that this photo was taken at the end of Canal Road, off Saugatuck Shores. That’s a part of Westport that many residents may not be familiar with.
But — like so many other spots in town — it offers stunning, and ever-changing, water views. (Click here for the photo, and all the guesses.)
Caitlin Engle checked in later, calling it one of Westport’s “hidden gems.”
There’s a bit of water in this week’s Photo Challenge too. If you know where in Westport you’d find this, click “Comments” below.
But area residents are less pleased about another project on Saugatuck Shores.
Gene Borio reports on a culvert replacement project that has closed off Canal Road since earlier this month.
“Somehow,” he says, “the construction company missed out on the idea that if they completely close off ingress and egress of seawater to the pond for 2 months of estimated work, the pond might stagnate and start dying.”
(Photo/Gene Borio)
When 3 eels floated to the surface, neighbors called the town. An emergency culvert was quickly installed.
But, Gene says, “the eels were so bad, even a gull wouldn’t eat them.”
This gull tried — and rejected — this eel, photographer Gene Borio says.
He adds, “It’s definitely affecting life around here. Even on weekends, people think they can’t cross to get to the beach.”
They can, he says — if they don’t mind mud and obstructions.
Still, drivers constantly see a sign saying the bridge is closed, and turn around.
Saugatuck Shores resident Jeff Manchester is also concerned. Hundreds — perhaps thousands — of cars, oil trucks, boats and trailers and school buses have backed down Canal Road, he says.
One of the many trucks that now backs down Canal Road. (Photo/Jeff Manchester)
They’re following confusing signs that should instead divert Canal Road traffic over the bridge on Harbor Road.
(Photo/Jeff Manchester)
He recommends a simple solution: replace the “Bridge Closed” sign with the one used when the bridge was being renovated.
Otherwise, he warns, “we’ll see a vehicle in the canal.”
There’s a lull in the storm right now. But if you haven’t been out and about, here are a few scenes from opposite ends of town. Click on or hover over photos to enlarge.
The gatehouse at Burying Hill Beach. (Photo/Nico Eisenberger)
One view from atop the actual “Burying Hill”…
…and another. (Photos/Nico Eisenberger)
Not fit for man or beast? Photographer Nico Eisenberger — and his dog Griffin — beg to differ.
The Ned Dimes Marina at Compo Beach seems surprisingly calm, just before high tide… (Photo/Steve Axthelm)
…but not so Compo Beach itself. (Photo/Steve Axthelm)
Here’s the scene on Soundview Drive. (Photo/Steve Axthelm)
See the water lapping against the white fence at the bottom of this photo? That shouldn’t be there. It’s Canal Road. (Photo/Mark Bates)
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