Hidden in Plain Sight: A Deep Traveler Explores Connecticut

Garnet Books

by David K. Leff (Brand)

In the course of the mundane routines of life, we encounter a variety of landscapes and objects, either ignoring them or looking without interest at what appears to be just a tree, stone, anonymous building, or dirt road. But the “deep traveler,” according to Hartford Courant essayist David K. Leff, doesn’t make this mistake. Instead, the commonplace elements become the most important. By learning to see the magic in the mundane, we not only enrich daily life with a sense of place, we are more likely to protect and make those places better. Over his many years working at the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and writing about the state’s landscape, Leff gained unparalleled intimacy while traveling its byways and back roads. In Hidden in Plain Sight, Leff’s essays and photographs take us on a point-by-point journey, revealing the rich stories behind many of Connecticut’s overlooked landmarks, from the Merritt Parkway and Cornwall’s Cathedral Pines to roadside rock art and centuries-old milestones.

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2012

Reviews

[Dirk Langeveld · Rating 4 out of 5]

David K. Leff offers a comprehensive, well-researched volume on Connecticut's interesting and often lesser known sites. It's a handy resource for any residents looking to explore more about the topics raised, including a map showing the location of all referenced sites and a lengthy guide to further reading. Some parts of the book read easier than others (I found myself somewhat disinterested in the chapters on Connecticut's trees) but Connecticut residents interested in exploring their state will find plenty of tips here.

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommended to anyone who, like me, spends a lot of their month driving all over the state for work. Since reading the book I've spotted a handful of things the author discusses and it's turned my commute into a great scavenger hunt.

Accompanying the scavenger hunt are a dozen fun facts and anecdotes, so for a few of my work trips I've insisted to a driving companion that we plan extra time for a detour and a tiny history lesson, and we used zinc monuments or strangely shaped buildings to kick off some great road tripping convos.

Unfortunately Leff is more of a journalist than a tour guide and more of a tour guide than a historian. Some stories are unsatisfyingly left uncovered (who painted that rock frog??), some sections are dull (the street names, the art section without picturez), and some specific details that would have required more research than "common knowledge" aren't quite right (anything pertaining to the Ogunquit language family).

But all in all it would make for a great read (or present) for someone new to the state, a retiree looking for a new way to explore their lifelong home, or anyone looking for some scenic drives.

[Tracy Bloschichak · Rating 1 out of 5]

While well written, it was very dry and boring Not at all what I was expecting when I picked up the book from my local library.