Figuring I must be a resident of Mystic, Connecticut, since I'm seen out and about walking an oddly shaped hound (half basset, half beagle), visitors stop me to ask where they should eat or what they should do. (In truth, the first question I was ever asked by a tourist upon moving to Mystic three years ago was, "Do you realize the back of your skirt is tucked into your underwear?") Many tourists, I was surprised to learn, only stop in Mystic for a meal on their way between New York City and Boston.
The most frequent question I’m asked?
"Where is Mystic Pizza?"
The movie Mystic Pizza, starring Julia Roberts and filmed in Mystic, certainly put Mystic on the map for non-seafaring folks--and that's a plus. But there is so much more to Mystic than pizza! After all, Mystic was named one of the top “100 Adventure Towns” by National Geographic! This quaint seacoast village is so picturesque that even Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart honeymooned here.
Wanting to learn myself what Mystic had to offer when I moved here in the summer of 2010, with the help of locals, I found "The 7 Wonders of Mystic," tried several adventures--including a few misadventures--and chronicled them for inclusion in my latest book, Mystic Seafarer's Trail. During my research, which included interviews with bridge tenders and historians plus looking through dusty old files, I uncovered the secrets behind Amelia Earhart's Noank wedding, Captain Sisson's ill-fated search for gold during the clipper ship era, plus the stories revealed by the shoes found at Titanic's watery grave. While walking my hound Bailey along the Mystic Seafarer’s Trail (which includes Noank, Mystic and Stonington), I even met a blind sailor who invited me to join her on an epic winter voyage.
Upon discovering the route one should follow for the best views and adventure potential, I finally found a way to quickly advice tourists who hold up traffic on Route 1 to shout questions to me. Getting the idea from the Boston Freedom Trail, I now hand visitors my free Mystic Seafarer’s Trail map. By following the trail highlighted on the map*, tourists will be sure to walk, bike or drive past "The 7 Wonders of Mystic" plus the haunts and homes of the area's famous adventurers--living and dead--including the discoverers of the Titanic and Antarctica. Along the way, are plenty of places to shop or grab a bite, bike, boat ride or kayak.
People shouldn't just stop in Mystic for one meal, they should spend a whole week here—at least!
One doesn't even need a car to find adventure in Mystic. The Mystic Seafarer’s Trail map includes Amtrak train and Peter Pan bus stops along with how to find information on accommodations, restaurants, points of interest and events from the Welcome Center & Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce. To download a copy of the map, just click on: http://www.authorlisasaunders.com/files/66442776.pdf.**
If you would like to learn more about my book, Mystic Seafarer's Trail, the first couple of chapters are available for free by clicking on the LOOK INSIDE feature. I will be discussing and/or autographing my book at the following upcoming events:
Saturday, April 27, 1pm
Monte Cristo Bookshop
13 Washington Street
New London CT 06320
More info: (860)574-9056
Saturday, May 4, 10-1 pm
Bank Square Books
53 W. Main Street Mystic, CT 06355
More Info: (860) 536 - 3795
Saturday, May 18, 9a.m. - Noon
West Marine Mystic
14 B Clara Dr Mystic, CT 6355
More info: (860) 536-1455
Thurs, June 20, 6:30 p.m.Local Authors @ The Groton Senior Center
"Amelia Earhart and the Mystic Seafarer's Trail."
More info: 860-441-6750
Visit my website for more information about my other books and availability to speak at: www.authorlisasaunders.com
*I designed the trail using, with permission, maps from the book, Landmarks You Must Visit in Southeast Connecticut, by Constant Waterman.
**If businesses would like to include their own information on the map, they may contact me directly at saundersbooks@aol.com and I can help with that process (at no cost to the business).
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