Trip to New London and Groton

We drove easterly to New London and Groton, CT in search of a pizza parlor Jim remembered from the 1970's.  Back then he worked for GEICO Insurance in Washington, DC.  He discovered this pizza place while he was visiting the local GEICO office here in Connecticut.  Deep dish pizza to be specific was the goal.  Once it was worth the drive all the way from Washington, DC to Groton, CT just to acquire a serving of the pizza back in the 70's according to Jim!

We drove here and looked around near a defense plant for submarines called The Electric Boat Company (no photos allowed) which Jim remembered was close by the pizza parlor but to no avail.  Without the memory of a business name or exact street (and the mere fact that it has been 40+ years, we could not find it.

Instead we stopped and toured the site of a Revolutionary Battle Ground called Fort Griswold where Benedict Arnold, as a general for the British army (and officially a traitor at this point) defeated the Colonists. 

The design of the earthworks and description of the battle helped.

The fort with the Thames River beyond below the earthworks.

A monument was built here in the form of a stone house and monolith.  Across the street from them you can see the earthworks for the artillery, the old fort below them and the Thames River beyond the fort from where the British launched their attack from two sides.  When the American Colonel commanding the fort surrendered, he was killed by the British with his own sword!

The Stone House

The Monolith

Grave marker for Col. William Ledyard

Tulips near the Monolith

Another view of the Monolith

The cherry blossoms are glorious.

The cherry trees and tulips were in bloom.  It was warm and sunny.  The history was interesting.  I realize how much I have forgotten (or never learned) over the years making this a great opportunity to see it in person and refresh or improve my education.  This could inspire a person to take up history in their old age!

Snoopy's Corner:  Mom and Dad met this fellow in the park at Fort Griswold.  I wasn't along on the trip, so I did not have a chance to meet him too.  The good news is that they did not bring him home!