Dog, Bear, Dog Rocks (Winchester)

3 Animal Rocks in varying stages of decay
Road around Highland Lake, Winsted/Winchester

I see no need to separate these three rocks onto their own pages. If you’re going to see one, you’re going to see all three as they are only about a third of a mile or so apart. Of course, if you are purposely going to this part of the state merely to see a few painted rocks, you might want to seek some help.

I made the six-mile drive around Highland Lake because I had some time to kill on my way out to Lime Rock – and the drive had always eluded me, even though I have a brother in law who pretty much lives on the lake.

A year and a half ago, reader Cheryl wrote a comment somewhere about a Winsted dog rock and then in a follow-up email explained, “The dog rock is in 3rd bay past the dam. It has been there as long as I can remember, 40+ years…” So it’s been nagging me to find it for a while. And here it is!

I think. Because continuing on around the lake, I found a bear and another (lame) dog but let’s talk about this one first. To me, if that rock hasn’t been chipped in an purposeful human way, it may be the perfect animal rock. As such, someone really needs to freshen it up. Look at that tongue! That ear slab! Just excellent.

He’s at 715 West Wakefield Boulevard and can be seen when driving counter-clockwise around the lake. Continue driving past a few twists and turns and if you’re careful and neurotic, you’ll find the next painted animal rock shortly past a dirt pull-out on the right:

Sorry the picture is blurred, but that my friends is the first CT painted bear rock I’ve seen. As you can see, it’s very much in need of some help. I never know if this is vandalism or art or what. (By the way, even if you don’t care about these things, you should read the update and comments on another of my pages about roadside painted rocks. It’s rather interesting and entertaining.)

Continuing on around the pond and past the intersection with Mountain Road by Bristol Cove, you’ll come cross the easiest one to spot from either direction, even if the dog really has nothing to do with the shape of the rock (which yes, actually bothers me.)

This one is at 709 East Wakefield Boulevard if you must know.

I am thankful to Cheryl for alerting me to the dog rock here and always enjoy fortuitous CTMQ surprises along my journeys. I haven’t much else to say other than the fact that the road crosses the spillway at the northern end of the lake has always been very strange to me. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, just ignore this but if you do… Right?!

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